3.05 Let’s be sensitive

Although there are many clear benefits of valuing diversity, doing so does not always come easily. Many people lack cultural sensitivity (the willingness to adjust your opinions and behaviors so that you value people and ideas from other cultures) even though they’re not doing so on purpose. Four main causes of cultural insensitivity are:

Ethnocentrism. The belief that your own culture is naturally better than other cultures is called ethnocentrism. Many people have ethnocentric attitudes without even realizing it. There is nothing wrong with having pride in your culture, but keep in mind that just because other cultures are different doesn’t mean that they are inferior to yours.

Stereotypes and prejudices. A stereotype is a set image or assumption about a person or thing. When stereotypes get out of hand, they turn into prejudices or biases, judgments that are based on feelings rather than facts. If you’ve ever been the victim of prejudice, you know how hurtful it can be. Obviously, people who have biased attitudes have a hard time exhibiting cultural sensitivity as seen in the Positive Revolution video “Avoid Stereotypes While Communicating.”Cultural Diversity Examples: Avoid Stereotypes while communicating Links to an external site.

Fear. Many people are just afraid of what they don’t understand. When they see a person who dresses, talks, or acts differently, they don’t know how to respond. It’s important for these people to learn that differences need not be negative. If they can overcome their anxiety and learn to value diversity, they will be able to exhibit cultural sensitivity.

Ignorance. Saying that a person is ignorant doesn’t mean that s/he is stupid. It just means that s/he lacks knowledge or information about something. Ignorance can cause people to inadvertently act in a culturally insensitive manner. Let’s say you’ve made an assumption that your manager is single because she does not wear a wedding band. Remember that a person’s family status is part of diversity—if you make a comment to your manager about her marital status based on your lack of knowledge, you might offend her.