What kind of messages did you get about people who were similar to you and those who were different from you in those categories?
Section 2: Current Assessment:
Describe your current beliefs and attitudes towards difference . Respond to the following:
– Have you chosen to retain those of your upbringing or have you modified or replaced
them?
– Identify and discuss biases you now have regarding groups different from yourself .
– How do those biases influence the ways in which you interact with members of those groups?
– Were you particularly interested in or surprised by any of the information/feelings you may have uncovered while completing this assignment?
Your life experiences influence the manner in which you interact with people and perform your role as a professional. Your experiences and attitudes can be powerful tools to enhance your competence or can be stumbling blocks in your work with people. Assess your cultural competence by responding to the following:
– Examine your knowledge about and attitudes toward difference and identify any deficits.
– Examine your strengths – have your particular experiences, knowledge and attitudes made you sensitive/ concerned/empathetic/ aware/ engaged?
– Make note of any of your own attitudes that make you uncomfortable or which you feel you need to improve.
– How do you plan to enhance your cultural competence?
