Developing Cultural Competence

The cultural proficiency continuumDeveloping cultural competence

Social science loves icebergs

Examining bias

Explicit vs implicitIt is important to know the difference

between the two and how they operate.

Explicit biasAttitudes that we consciously endorse and can easily report. ● expressed directly● aware of bias● operates consciouslyEX: I prefer to date white guys.

Implicit biasAttitudes that are involuntary, uncontrollable and at times unconscious.● Expressed indirectly● Unaware of bias● Operates subconsciouslyEX: Sitting further away from a male Latino student than a white male student.

Guiding principles of Cultural proficiency

● Culture is a predominant force. You can NOT be influenced by culture

● People are served in varying degrees by the dominant culture.

● People have individual and group identities that they want to have acknowledged.

● Cultures are not homogeneous; there is diversity within groups.

● The unique needs of every culture deserves respect.

Stages of cultural competence

Cultural destructiveness

See the difference-> Stomp it out

● The elimination of other people’s cultures.

● Belief that the dominant culture is neutral.

Cultural incapacity

See the difference -> Make it wrong

● Belief in the superiority of one’s culture

● Behavior that trivializes, disempowers or makes another’s culture appear wrong.

Cultural blindness

See the difference -> Act like you don’t

● Acting as if the cultural differences you see do not matter or not recognizing that there are differences among and between cultures.

Cultural pre-competence

See the difference -> Respond inadequately

● Awareness of the limitations of one’s understanding and skills when interacting with cultural groups beyond the mainstream culture.

Cultural competenceSee the difference -> Understand the

difference and its implications.

● Interacting with other cultural groups using the guiding principles of cultural proficiency as the standards for individual behavior and organizational practices.

Cultural proficiencySee the difference -> Respond

effectively in a variety of environments.

● Valuing diverse cultures● Knowing how to continuously learn

about different cultures in a respectful way.

● Individual practices nurture and respect all.