Cultural Diversity

Introduction
Videos on culture
https://
www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/mcat/society-and-culture/culture/v/overview-of-culture
Australia

https://www.google.com/search?
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ved=0ahUKEwiRisf3lcj9AhW8VqQEHeJYDh0Q4dUDCA8&uact=5&oq=videos+about+differ
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serp#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:57c3a18f,vid:TWrhWTQXl6Y
What is culture?
https://www.google.com/search?
q=videos+on+cultures&source=hp&ei=G0gGZMP8EIO9kdUP86KxuA0&iflsig
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What is culture?
Culture is defined as the collective mental programming
of the human mind which distinguishes one group of
people from another. 

This programming influences patterns of thinking which

are reflected in the meaning people attach to various
aspects of life and which become apparent in the
institutions of a society.
Culture (cont’d)
Culture is that which shapes us.
Culture shapes our identity and influences our behavior.
Culture is our “way of being”.

Culture refers to the shared language, beliefs, values,

norms, behaviors, and material objects that are passed
down from one generation to the next.
Culture shapes our identity and influences our behaviors
Culture (cont’d)
Culture is the lens with which people evaluate everything
around them.
They evaluate what is proper or improper, normal or
abnormal, through their culture.
If they are immersed in a culture that is unlike their own
they may experience culture shock and become
disoriented when they come into contact with a
fundamentally different culture.
Culture (cont’d)
People naturally use their own culture as the standard to
judge other cultures.

However, passing judgment could reach a level where

people begin to discriminate against others whose “ways
of being” are different than their own—essentially, people
tend to fear that which they do not understand.
Collectivist Cultures
Cultures native to Asia, Africa and Central and South America
place a greater value on collectivism.
They nurture the interdependent self.
Identity is defined more in relation to others.
In such cultures, people identify themselves with the group.
With an interdependent self, one has a greater sense of
belonging.
They have not one self but many selves: self with parents, self
at work, self with friends.
The independent self acknowledges relationships with others,
but the interdependent self is more deeply embedded in others.
Individualistic Cultures
Cultures native to the United States, Europe, Canada and
Australia place a greater value on Individualism.
They nurture the independent self in terms of the individual.
Identity is defined more in terms of oneself.
Success is defined in terms of oneself and not in terms
of a group.
Judging Others
When judging someone else's performance or
behavior, we often spontaneously compare it with our
own.
From our self focused perspective, we presume that
others are noticing and evaluating us.
Being largely ignorant of our "psychological immune
system", we accommodate to disabilities, romantic
breakups, exam failures, and personal and team ..etc.
faster than we would expect.
Distinctive Cultures
Humanity has inhabited every corner of the world, except
Antarctica, for centuries.
As groups of people worked and lived together, they
developed distinctive cultures.
Together the cultures of the world create a rich and varied
weaving.
The resulting cultural diversity expands choices, nurtures
a variety of skills, human values and worldviews and
provides wisdom from the past to inform the future.
Global Integration
The economy and the world marketplace are becoming
increasingly diverse and interconnected.
There are many examples of global integration.

Many customer service representatives working in call

centers today are located in different continents.
Companies buy raw materials from and sell finished
products to customers all over the world.
Globalization
Globalization encompasses many trends, including
expanded international trade, telecommunications,
monetary coordination, multinational corporations,
technical and scientific cooperation, cultural
exchanges of new types and scales, migration and
refugee flows, and relations between the world’s rich
and poor countries.
Beginning of Globalization
The term "globalization" began to be used more commonly in the 1980s,
reflecting technological advances that made it easier and quicker to complete
international transactions—both trade and financial flows.

It refers to an extension beyond national borders of the same market forces that
have operated for centuries at all levels of human economic activity—village
markets, urban industries, or financial centers.

One popular conception of globalization is: “the widening, deepening and

speeding up of worldwide interconnectedness in all aspects of contemporary
social life.
New Social Skills
As companies become globally competitive, workers need to
develop new social skills, attitudes and behaviors, along with the
flexibility necessary to communicate and work with clients and
suppliers in other languages and from other cultures.

Companies large or small must offer global workforce development

to help people find jobs, stay employed and advance professionally,
including very lucrative positions domestically or overseas.

Global education will help keep jobs in countries like the U.S.
Reach of Globalization
The broad reach of globalization easily extends to daily choices of personal,
economic, and political life.

Greater access to modern technologies, in the world of health care, could

make the difference between life and death.
In the world of communications, it would facilitate commerce and education,
and allow access to independent media.

Globalization can also create a framework for cooperation among nations on a

range of non-economic issues that have cross-border implications, such as
immigration, the environment, and legal issues.
Economic Globalization

Economic "globalization" is a historical process, the result of

human innovation and technological progress.
 It refers to the increasing integration of economies around the
world, particularly through the movement of goods, services, and
capital across borders.
The term sometimes also refers to the movement of people
(labor) and knowledge (technology) across international borders.
There are also broader cultural, political, and environmental
dimensions of globalization.
Economic globalization (cont’d)
The growth in global markets has helped to promote efficiency through
competition and the division of labor—the specialization that allows people and
economies to focus on what they do best.

Global markets also offer greater opportunity for people to tap into more
diversified and larger markets around the world.
It means that they can have access to more capital, technology, cheaper imports,
and larger export markets.

Countries must be prepared to embrace the policies needed, and, in the case of the
poorest countries, may need the support of the international community as they do
so.
Cultural Diversity
Cultural diversity refers to having different cultures
respect each other's differences.
The phrase “ Cultural Diversity is also sometimes used to
mean the variety of human societies or cultures in a
specific region, or in the world as a whole.
Cultural Diversity is important because countries,
workplaces and schools have various cultural, racial, and
ethnic groups.
Cultural Diversity (cont’d)
People can learn from one another, but first they must
have a level of understanding about each other in order to
facilitate collaboration and cooperation.
What language do you speak? What is your religion?
What holidays do you celebrate? What is your racial
identification? What is your ethnic identity? What is your
culture?
Therefore, cultural diversity is the existence of a
multiplicity of sub cultures and different value systems in
a plural or multicultural society or other setting.
Cultural Diversity…(cont’d_
The term “culturally diverse” is often used
interchangeably with the concept of “multiculturalism.”
Multiculturalism is defined as:
“…a system of beliefs and behaviors that recognizes and
respects  the presence of all diverse groups in an
organization or society, acknowledges and values their
socio-cultural differences, and encourages  and enables
their continued contribution within an inclusive cultural
context which empowers all within the organization or
society.
Seven actions in the definition of
multiculturalism
Seven important actions involved in the definition of multiculturalism:
Recognition of the abundant diversity of cultures;
Respect for the differences;
Acknowledging the validity of different cultural expressions and
contributions;
Valuing what other cultures offer;
Encouraging the contribution of diverse groups;
Empowering people to strengthen themselves and others to achieve
their maximum potential by being critical of their own biases; and
Celebrating rather than just tolerating the differences in order to bring
about unity through diversity.
U.S. example of Multi Culturalism
There are many ethnic groups in the United States, due in large part to its immigrant
population; each of these groups contributes to America’s cultural heritage.
The U.S. is known as the melting pot as different cultures co exist.
An ethnic group refers to people who are closely related to each other through
characteristics such as culture, language, and religion.
The United States has the following:
80% White
16% Hispanic or Latino origin (may be of any race)
13% African American
 5% Asian
 1% American Indian/Alaskan Native
 0.2% Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander2
Each race encompasses a multitude of different ethnic groups.
Learning about other cultures
One of the most important first steps people can take to learn
about other cultures is to simply accept that there are many
different cultures other than their own.
They need to start thinking about the positives of different
cultures and how surrounding themselves with diverse
groups of people can enrich their life.
Sometimes a person might not know very much about
geography or history but by mingling and mixing with people
from other cultures, they are given the opportunity to
possibly learn about the geography, religion and customs of
different countries.
Diverse societies
In most societies, many people have a peculiar habit of
assuming that those who differ from their norms are
wrong.
They tend to view the world from a rather narrow-minded
perspective.
Cultural diversity makes societies richer by making them
more interesting places to live.
Just think how people got to like Chinese, Mexican,
Japanese, Italian, German, Lebanese, French or Indian
food.
Strength in Diversity
Cultural diversity also makes countries stronger and better
competitors in the new global economy.
People from diverse cultures bring language skills, new
ways of thinking, creative solutions to difficult problems
and negotiating skills.
In the past, the U.S. was perceived as a melting pot where
new immigrants would eventually be fully integrated into
the American culture. This has not happened.
Assignment 1 (5%)
In 350 to 400 words answer the following questions
Discuss what is implied by cultural diversity under
globalization and how it makes countries stronger and
better competitors in the new global economy. (give
examples) 3%
How can people support cultural diversity? 2%
How can people support cultural diversity?

Increase their level of understanding about other cultures

by interacting with people outside of their own culture—
meaningful relationships may never develop simply due to
a lack of understanding.
Avoid imposing values on others that may conflict or be
inconsistent with cultures other than their own.
How can people support cultural diversity? (cont’d)
When interacting with others who may not be proficient
in their language, recognize that their limitations in that
language proficiency in no way reflects their level of
intellectual functioning.
Recognize and understand that concepts within the
helping profession, such as family, gender roles,
spirituality, and emotional well-being, vary significantly
among cultures and influence behavior.
How can people support cultural diversity? (cont’d)

Within the workplace, educational setting, and/or clinical

setting, encourage the use of materials that represent
different cultural groups within the local community and
the society in general.
Involve yourself, but in an appropriate manner, when they
observe others engaging in behaviors that show cultural
insensitivity, bias, or prejudice.
Be proactive in listening, accepting, and welcoming
people and ideas that are different from your own.
Importance of Cultural Diversity
Cultural diversity is important because countries, schools
and workplaces increasingly consist of various cultural,
racial, and ethnic groups.
People can learn from one another, but first they must
have a level of understanding about each other in order to
facilitate collaboration and cooperation.
Learning about other cultures helps people understand
different perspectives within the world in which they live,
and helps decrease negative stereotypes and personal
biases about different groups.
Importance of Cultural Diversity (cont’d)
Cultural diversity also helps people recognize and respect
“ways of being” that are not necessarily their own, so that
as they interact with others they can build bridges to trust,
respect, and understanding across cultures.

Furthermore, this diversity makes a country a more

interesting place to live, as people from diverse cultures
contribute language skills, new ways of thinking, new
knowledge, and different experiences.
Importance of Cultural Diversity (cont’d)
Cultural diversity makes people accept, and even to some
extent, integrate and assimilate with other cultures.
Cultural diversity has become very important in today's world.
Whether we work or study or even stay at home, our chances
of interacting with people from various races, ethnic groups
and cultures is far greater now than it has been ever before.
By learning about people of different cultural backgrounds, we
can increase our horizons, have better interpersonal dialogue
and communicate more on a personal level.
Positive Contribution
Cultural diversity supports the idea that every person can
make a unique and positive contribution to the larger society
because of, rather than in spite of, their differences.
Imagine a place where diversity is recognized and respected;
various cultural ideas are acknowledged and valued;
contributions from all groups are encouraged; people are
empowered to achieve their full potential; and differences are
celebrated.
“Diversity is the one true thing we have in common. 
Celebrate it every day.”
conclusion
In today's world if people are able to respect and know
about other cultures, and respect their values and belief,
life would be easier for most of them.

The progressive country hopes to promote cultural

diversity by effectively recognizing and celebrating every
culture's unique differences, religions, and traditions.