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 Introduction and
Rationale
Cultural awareness
is a major element of cultural competence as defined by the National
Center for Cultural Competence (NCCC). It
is the first
and foundational element because without it, it is virtually impossible
to acquire the attitudes, skills, and knowledge that are essential
to cultural competence.
 Defining Cultural
Awareness
There are
varying definitions of cultural awareness. The following two are offered to
underpin the principles and concepts espoused
in this
module. The NCCC defines “cultural awareness” as being
cognizant, observant, and conscious of similarities and differences
among and between
cultural groups (Goode, 2001, revised 2006).
According to Winkelman
(2005), awareness of cultural differences and their impact on
behavior is the
beginning of intercultural effectiveness. He states that “cultural
self-awareness includes recognition of one’s own cultural influences
upon values, beliefs, and judgments, as well as the influences derived
from the professional’s work culture” (p. 9). (For more
definitions, see Teaching Tools: Key Definitions.)
- Cultural
awareness can help faculty to:
- Acknowledge
how culture shapes their own perceptions
- Be
more responsive to culturally diverse students and colleagues
- Be more
sensitive and accessible as a mentor or supervisor
- Be alert
to cultural differences and similarities that will present
opportunities and
challenges to working in a multicultural
environment
- Influence the
next generation of public health professionals to be culturally aware
as a prerequisite toward
achieving
cultural and
linguistic
competence.
- Cultural awareness
includes being conscious of organizational culture and its implications
for policy, practice,
teaching,
research, and community engagement.
Cultural awareness
includes:
- Having
a firm grasp of what culture is and what it is not
- Having insight
into intracultural variation
- Understanding
how people acquire their cultures and culture’s important
role in personal identities, life ways, and mental
and physical health of individuals and communities;
- Being conscious
of one’s
own culturally shaped values, beliefs, perceptions, and biases
- Observing
one’s reactions to people whose cultures differ from
one’s own and reflecting upon these responses
- Seeking and participating
in meaningful interactions with people of differing cultural
backgrounds.
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