In order to really grasp the idea of cultural competency, as occupational therapists we need to understand the true meaning of culture and how it impacts who we are as individuals. Culture is a very broad term that has many different meanings. Bacall, Jansen and Smith (2016) state that although some assume culture just means ethnicity or race, it is much more diverse than that. culture can be associated with many other factors including gender, religion, age, occupation, geographic location, leisure activities, rituals, social class, sexual orientation, morals, values, beliefs and anything that shapes or influences us.
The youtube link below provides some basic examples and statements surrounding the idea of culture.
The iceberg below created by James Penstone helps to put the idea of culture into perspective. The examples of culture as seen above the water can often be observed or are visible to us in every day life. Below the water is that, in which we often cannot see- those underlying cultural values, beliefs, characteristics and ideas that are not often visible, ones that we can only identify through getting to know someone on a deeper level.
Figure 1. Penstone, J. (2011). Visualising the Iceberg Model of Culture. Retrieved from
http://opengecko.com/interculturalism/visualising-the-iceberg-model-of-culture/
From my learning and experience regarding the term culture I
have derived a simple explanation of the word from my perspective.
I believe that culture is any aspect of a person or a group.
Culture is everything and everywhere.
From personality and identity, to rituals, values, beliefs, dress, ethnicity,
religious practices, the list goes on and on. From this I have gathered the idea
that culture can not be minimised or simply put in a box, it is such a broad
term and every single person in this world with specific reference to New
Zealand is different.
Figure 2. Hubpages. (2016). What is culture. Retrieved from http://hubpages.com/education/Culture-
Observation
References
Bacal, K., Jansen, P. & Smith, K. (2006). Developing cultural
competency in accordance with the Health Practitioners
Competence Assurance Act. New Zealand Family
Physician, 33(5) 305 309
13). What is culture? [video file]. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=57KW6RO8Rcs
List of Illustrations
Figure 1. Penstone, J. (2011). Visualising the Iceberg Model of Culture. Retrieved from
List of Illustrations
Figure 1. Penstone, J. (2011). Visualising the Iceberg Model of Culture. Retrieved from
http://opengecko.com/interculturalism/visualising-the-iceberg-model-of-culture/
Figure 2. Hubpages. (2016). What is culture. Retrieved from http://hubpages.com/education/Culture-
Observation
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