Cultural competency
How does cultural competency occur? What can one do to become culturally aware? Describe an effective approach to using The Purnell Model when working with subcultures (immigration status, gender, political beliefs, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, educational status, etc.).
Sample Answer
Cultural competency is the ability to understand, appreciate, and interact effectively with people from different cultures. It is a lifelong process that requires ongoing learning and self-reflection.
There are many things that one can do to become culturally aware. Here are a few tips:
- Educate yourself about different cultures. This can be done by reading books, articles, and websites about different cultures. You can also attend cultural events and talk to people from different cultures.
- Be open-minded and willing to learn. Don’t make assumptions about people based on their culture. Be willing to listen to their experiences and learn about their values.
- Be respectful of different cultures. This means being mindful of cultural differences and avoiding behaviors that could be considered offensive.
- Be aware of your own cultural biases. We all have biases, but it’s important to be aware of them so that we can avoid letting them influence our interactions with others.