Psychology Chapter 10: Human Diversity

Chapter 10: Human Diversity

• Human diversity, also known as cultural diversity, explores the variety of human societies and cultures, examining both similarities and differences.
• These differences make each person unique and valuable.
• Society is comprised of many cultures, each establishing specific behaviors and providing comfort throughout life.
• Globalization has increased cross-cultural interactions as people travel and live in various countries for work, education, healthcare, etc.
• Social networking further enhances global communication and interaction.

Objectives

• Define human diversity.
• List characteristics of human diversity.
• Describe diversity traits based on age, ethnicity/national origin, race, gender/sexual orientation, and mental/physical ability.
• Identify US mainstream cultural values.
• List elements of cultural competency.
• Discuss the importance of valuing diversity and employing empathetic practices for improved cultural understanding and outcomes.
• Describe six areas of human diversity that healthcare providers need to understand for quality care.
• Discuss how professional medical imaging organizations value human diversity.

Human Diversity Characteristics (1 of 2)

• Age
• Ethnicity and national origin
• Race
• Gender and sexual orientation
• Mental and physical ability
• Religion
• Work style or ethic
• Family status

Human Diversity Characteristics (2 of 2)

• Geographic location
• Lifestyle
• Physical features
• Economic conditions
• Political beliefs
• Religious beliefs
• First language
• Disability
• Education

Personal Biases

• Everyone exhibits bias, a real human characteristic requiring attention.
• Personal biases, even unconscious ones, significantly impact individual perceptions of others.
• Dealing with bias requires education and cultural knowledge.

Assimilation vs. Biculturalism

• Cultural differences exist between values, requiring understanding by healthcare professionals.
• See Table 10.2 for more details.

US Mainstream Values

• Activity and hard work
• Personal achievement and success
• Individualism
• Efficiency and practicality
• Affluence, consumerism, material comfort
• Competition
• Openness, directness, being well-informed

Age-based Generations

• Greatest Generation
• Silent Generation
• Baby Boomers
• Generation X
• Millennials (Gen Y)
• Generation Z
• The Millennial Generation is projected to surpass the Baby Boomer generation in terms of U.S. population.
• Age bias must be addressed, acknowledging the value of prior experiences and knowledge.

Ethnicity, Race & National Origin

• The U.S. has a history of accepting people from around the world, often referred to as a “Melting Pot.”
• See Table 10.1 for additional information.

Cultural Diversity and Healthcare

• Employing bilingual and multicultural staff is important.
• Providing translators and interpreters
• Providing medical documents in multiple languages.
• Encouraging staff to be more culturally aware through training and education.
• Utilizing digital translation technology is important.
• Informed consent processes should be sensitive to multicultural and bilingual needs.

Gender and Sexual Orientation

• Gender roles and identities
• Sexual orientations(Heterosexual, Homosexuality, Bisexuality)
• Homophobia, Transgender
• Healthcare providers must ensure patients feel respected, regardless of their gender or sexual orientation.
• Patient preferred names should always be used.

Mental/Physical Disabilities

• More than 10% of the global population has some form of disability.
• The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 improved accessibility and accommodations for people with disabilities.
• The four essential principles of human rights law include: autonomy, dignity, equality, solidarity.
• See Table 10.4 for more details.

Embracing Diversity

• Knowledge of cultural differences is crucial.
• Respect for self and others is essential.
• Understanding individual values, regardless of condition.
• Learning from others is important.
• Recognizing the societal value of multiculturalism.
• Empathy for others is a valuable trait.

Cultural Competency

• A set of positive attitudes, congruent behaviors, and policies enabling effective interactions in a cross-cultural or multicultural environment.
• Avoid ethnocentrism.
• Five key elements within cultural competency.

Becoming Culturally Competent

• Adopt diversity as a value.
• Develop cultural self-awareness.
• Understand the dynamics of cross-cultural interaction.
• Incorporate knowledge of multiculturalism into organizational practices.
• Design processes reflecting an understanding of a multicultural environment.

Cultural Diversity and Health Care

• Communication skills
• Space Considerations
• Time Considerations
• Environmental factors
• Biological variations
• Social Organizations

Conclusion

• Every individual is unique.
• Patient care relies on understanding, communication, and empathy.
• Healthcare fosters these skills in practitioners.

This quiz delves into the concept of human diversity, exploring the various characteristics that define it. Participants will learn about the significance of different cultures, the effects of globalization, and the importance of empathy and cultural competency in understanding diversity. Test your knowledge on how these elements shape our society.