Definitions •Cultural sensitivity begins with the understanding that there are differences among cultures and includes placing value on this diversity. •Cultural Awareness •Developing sensitivity and understanding of another ethnic group. This usually involves changes in terms of attitudes and values. •Awareness and sensitivity also refer to qualities of openness and flexibility that people develop in relation to others. •Cultural Competence •Ability to interact effectively with people of different cultures and socio-economic backgrounds. •Cultural Knowledge •Familiarization with selected cultural characteristics, history, values, belief systems and behaviors of the members of another ethnic group. •Cultural Sensitivity •Knowing that cultural differences, as well as, similarities exist, without assigning values, (i.e. better or worse, right or wrong), to those cultural differences. |