Developing Cultural Competency
Part 1. - Cultural Knowledge/Cultural Awareness
I. Introduction
The following sections provide an overview of some of the key aspects of cultural awareness for several ethnic groups plus deaf persons (persons with a hearing disability).
Definitions:
Cultural Knowledge is familiarization with selected cultural characteristics, history, values, belief systems, and behaviors of the members of another ethnic group (Adams, 1995)
Cultural Awareness is developing sensitivity and understanding of another ethnic group. Awareness extends to special foods, manners of dress, language, religious preferences and observances, and differences in communication styles. It also involves changes in attitudes and values and reflects an openness and flexibility in working with others of another culture
Cultural Sensitivity is recognizing and knowing that both cultural differences as well as similarities exist, and not making value judgments of good or bad, better or worse, right or wrong (Texas Department of Health, National Maternal and Child Health Resource Center on Cultural Competency, 1997)
Cultural Competence is a set of congruent behaviors, attitudes, and policies that come together in a system, agency, or among professionals that enables that system, agency, or those professionals to work effectively in cross-cultural situations (Cross, Bazron, Dennis, and Isaacs, 1989)
Cultural Competency is the ability to effectively operate in different cultural contexts. Cultural competency emphasizes the idea of effectively operating in different cultural contexts. Knowledge, awareness, and sensitivity do not include this concept.
For some additional information and printed recourses on cultural awareness and sensitivity, and printed recourses on cultural awareness and sensitivity, see…
- How does Cultural Competency differ from Cultural Sensitivity/Awareness? - Center for Effective Collaboration and Practice, Washington, DC
- Cultures Clues - University of Washington Medical Center, Patient and Family Education Services
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