Assignment task: Assignment: Practicing Cultural Humility
For this Assignment, you will interview someone who is from a different culture than your own, keeping in mind the many ways culture may be defined (for example, ethnicity, religion, region, nationality, and language groups).
Practicing cultural humility, conduct a 15-20-minute interview with an individual who is from a different culture than you. You may conduct this interview by phone or video conference if you are unable to meet face-to-face.
Resources:
- Review the Learning Resources and Course Announcements.
- Review the requirements of the paper.
- Arrange 20-30 minutes of time you can commit to your interview so that you will not be unnecessarily distracted.
- Consider how you will take notes of the interview. For example, determine whether it be appropriate to take notes during the interview, or if you will be able to capture notes after the interview.
- Keep the interview within the 15-20 minutes out of respect for your interviewee's time, and consider how you will ask specific questions before the interview.
- NOTE: Protect your interviewee's confidentiality - do not share their name or other identifying information in your paper.
Submit a summary of your interview in a 3- to 4-page APA formatted paper. You may quote your interviewee as needed, but you are writing a summary of your interview, not a transcript. In your paper:
1. Provide a brief description of the culture your interviewee identifies with.
2. Provide a summary of your interviewee's responses concerning:
- how the interviewee's culture views wellness and illness;
- what the interviewee says others often get wrong about their culture;
- how the interviewee sees their culture has informed their point of view;
- how the interviewee defines "crisis" and how that definition may be informed by their culture; and
- what the interviewee would want crisis responders to know about their culture and any suggestions your interviewee has about working with individuals from their culture.
3. Analyze and compare cultural perspectives on crisis and crisis response. Need Assignment Help?
4. Provide a reflection on how you practiced cultural humility in the interview:
- What is something you liked about what you did?
- What is something you would like to improve and how might you go about that?
- What did you learn about your interviewee's culture or your own culture that surprised you?
Resources/References:
- Campinha-Bacote, J. (2019). Cultural Competemility: A Paradigm Shift in the Cultural Competence versus Cultural Humility Debate -- Part I. Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 24(1), 4. DOI: 10.3912/OJIN.Vol24No01PPT20
- National Organization for Human Services. (2015). Ethical standards for human services professionals.
Ungvarsky, J. (2020). Cultural humility. In Salem Press encyclopedia. Grey House Publishing.
Practicing Cultural Humility: Interview Summary
Introduction:
Cultural humility emphasizes an ongoing commitment to self reflection, openness, and respect for cultural differences. For this assignment, I interviewed an individual who identifies with Ghanaian culture. The interview lasted approximately twenty minutes and focused on cultural beliefs surrounding wellness, illness, crisis, and expectations for crisis responders. This paper summarizes the interview, analyzes cultural perspectives on crisis response, and reflects on how I practiced cultural humility throughout the process.
Description of the Interviewee's Culture
The interviewee identifies as Ghanaian, specifically from the Akan ethnic group. Ghanaian culture is known for its strong emphasis on community, interdependence, spirituality, and respect for elders. The interviewee explained that cultural identity is shaped not only by nationality but also by ethnic traditions, language, and communal values. They emphasized that Ghanaian culture is deeply rooted in the belief that individuals exist within a broader social network, a point that aligns with the idea of collective responsibility.
Summary of Interview Responses
Cultural Views on Wellness and Illness
The interviewee described wellness as a balance between physical health, emotional stability, spiritual alignment, and social harmony. Illness, in contrast, is often viewed as a disruption in one or more of these areas. They noted that in Ghanaian culture, illness may be attributed not only to biological causes but also to spiritual or relational imbalances. For example, unresolved conflict within the family or community may be seen as contributing to emotional or physical distress. This holistic view reflects a belief in interconnected well being.
Common Misunderstandings About Their Culture
The interviewee shared that people often assume Ghanaian or broader African cultures are "primitive" or "superstitious." They expressed frustration that outsiders sometimes dismiss traditional healing practices without understanding their cultural significance. They emphasized that traditional medicine and spiritual practices coexist with modern healthcare, rather than replacing it. They wished more people understood the complexity of African cultural systems.
How Culture Shapes Their Point of View
The interviewee explained that growing up in a collectivist culture shaped their belief that personal decisions should consider the well being of the community. They described themselves as someone who values cooperation, respect for elders, and shared responsibility. They also noted that their cultural background taught them to approach challenges with patience and humility, which they described as culturally grounded resilience.
Definition of Crisis
When asked to define "crisis," the interviewee described it as "a moment when the normal flow of life is disrupted and a person cannot rely on their usual support systems." They explained that in Ghanaian culture, crisis is often understood in relational terms-meaning that a crisis affects not just the individual but the entire family or community. This perspective reflects the cultural emphasis on communal coping.
What Crisis Responders Should Know
The interviewee emphasized that crisis responders should understand the importance of family involvement in Ghanaian culture. They suggested that responders ask whether the individual wants family members included in decision making. They also recommended that responders avoid making assumptions about spiritual beliefs and instead ask open ended questions. They stressed the importance of respectful curiosity when working with individuals from their culture.
Analysis and Comparison of Cultural Perspectives on Crisis
The interview highlighted significant differences between Ghanaian cultural perspectives and typical Western crisis response models. Western approaches often emphasize individual autonomy, privacy, and self determination. In contrast, Ghanaian culture views crisis as a collective experience that requires communal support. This difference can lead to misunderstandings if crisis responders assume that privacy is always preferred or that individuals want to make decisions independently.
Additionally, Western models tend to focus on psychological and physiological explanations for crisis, whereas Ghanaian perspectives incorporate spiritual and relational dimensions. This broader framework suggests that crisis responders should be prepared to engage with culturally diverse understandings of distress. The interview reinforced the importance of culturally responsive crisis intervention.
Reflection on Practicing Cultural Humility
Throughout the interview, I intentionally practiced cultural humility by approaching the conversation with openness and curiosity. One thing I appreciated about my approach was that I allowed the interviewee to guide the conversation rather than imposing assumptions. I also made an effort to listen actively and validate their experiences, which helped build rapport.
However, I recognized that I could improve by asking more follow up questions that deepen understanding. At times, I hesitated to ask clarifying questions out of fear of appearing intrusive. Moving forward, I want to develop greater confidence in asking thoughtful, open ended questions that demonstrate genuine engagement.
One thing that surprised me was how strongly communal values shape the Ghanaian understanding of crisis. I realized that my own cultural background, which emphasizes independence, influenced how I initially conceptualized crisis. This awareness helped me reflect on the importance of examining my own cultural lens when working with others.
References:
- Campinha Bacote, J. (2019). Cultural competemility: A paradigm shift in the cultural competence versus cultural humility debate-Part I. Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 24(1), 4.
- National Organization for Human Services. (2015). Ethical standards for human services professionals.
- Ungvarsky, J. (2020). Cultural humility. In Salem Press Encyclopedia. Grey House Publishing.