Introduction to OT

Cultural Self-Assessment and Interview

Format: includes:

o Form - Correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, and quality of writing

o Content - Information on topic

o Format - Use APA-style headings and citations

o The paper should be no more than 3 pages plus 1 page for the interview guide

Learning Objectives:

This assignment is designed for you to develop and demonstrate insight and self-awareness of your own culture as well as awareness of another person's culture.

Knowledge about your culture and the cultures of others is an important aspect of cultural competence that is necessary for your therapeutic use of self during the occupational therapy process.

It is also important to understand how your culture may influence you as a therapist.

Review material from OT 106 (and Davis text) on how to structure an interview and consider your professional development in terms of completing an effective interview.

The following ACOTE (2011, Form B) Standards will be met in this class:

B1.4 Demonstrate knowledge and appreciation of the role of sociocultural, socioeconomic, and diversity factors and lifestyle choices in contemporary society.

Course content must include, but is not limited to, introductory psychology, abnormal psychology, and introductory sociology or introductory anthropology.

B1.6 Demonstrate knowledge of global social issues and prevailing health and welfare needs of populations with or at risk for disabilities and chronic health conditions

Answer the following questions in APA format:

Part I. Cultural Self-Assessment (one page)

1. Describe a ritual/ceremony/tradition important to your culture (e.g., naming ceremony, coming-of-age ceremony, wedding, or funeral)

2. Use the handout on the cultural iceberg adapted from Beyond Culture (1976) by Edward T. Hall, to assist you in describing your chosen ritual/ceremony/tradition in relation to your cultural background. Describe the following points:

a. Identify and describe an example of one of the concepts from above the water surface (behaviors) - e.g., games, cooking, and notions of modesty.

b. Identify and describe an example of one of the concepts from below the water surface (beliefs, attitudes) - e.g., courtship practices.

c. Identify and describe an example of one of the concepts from the lower part (values and thought patterns) - e.g., roles in relation to sex and preference for competition or cooperation.

3. Identify, define, and rank at least three values that are important to you. The values can include ideas, people, and things such as religion, family, friends, and education. Explain the reasons these 3 values are important or worthy to you.

4. How does your cultural background influence your choice of activities and occupations?

Part II. Cultural Contexts Interview (one page)

Develop an interview guide to gather information about a person's culture that is different than your own. Your interview guide should include open-ended and closed-ended questions. Include your interview guide in your assignment (not part of the page count)

Describe the person's cultural background:

Example:

Describe for me a typical day.

a. What are the first 6 things you do after rising from bed?

b. What do you eat for breakfast?

c. How do you prepare for bedtime?

Use the interview guide to learn about a ritual/ceremony/tradition from the person's culture and their beliefs, behaviors, and values) related to the topic.

Use the handout on the cultural iceberg, adapted from Beyond Culture (1976) by Edward T. Hall, to assist you in formulating the topics of your questions.

In your paper summarize the following points:

1. Describe the ritual/ceremony/tradition important to his/her culture (e.g., naming ceremony, coming-of-age ceremony, wedding, or funeral)

2. Use the handout on the cultural iceberg adapted from Beyond Culture (1976) by Edward T. Hall, to assist you in describing the chosen ritual/ceremony/tradition in relation to his/her cultural background. Describe the following points:

a. Identify and describe an example of one of the concepts from above the water surface (behaviors) - e.g., games, cooking, and notions of modesty.

b. Identify and describe an example of one of the concepts from below the water surface (beliefs, attitudes) - e.g., courtship practices.

c. Identify and describe an example of one of the concepts from the lower part (values and thought patterns) - e.g., roles in relation to sex and preference for competition or cooperation.

3. Discuss reasons identified for why the value is important to him/her. (The values can include ideas, people, and things such as religion, family, friends, and education.)

4. Identify and describe how the cultural background of your interviewee influences his/her choice of activities and occupations?

Part III. Conclusion (one page)

1. Identify similarities and differences between the experiences of you and your interviewee related to the ceremony/ritual/tradition and cultural beliefs, behaviors, and values. Did you sense potential values conflicts between your interviewee and you? If yes, briefly describe them.

2. How might your culture affect you as an occupational therapist?

3. In general, discuss how might values conflicts interfere with the practice of occupational therapy?

4. What are some ways that you can overcome values conflicts to improve patient care?

5. Based on the assigned class readings, (Boyt Schell et al., 2014 - Ch. 6, 16 & 17; Class Handouts - Cultural Icebergs) briefly describe cultural competence. Why is cultural competence important for the practice of occupational therapy?