Cultural Sensitivity

Cultural sensitivity, also sometimes referred to as cross-cultural sensitivity or simply cultural awareness, is the knowledge, awareness, and acceptance of other culture and others’ cultural identities.

It is related to Culture Competence (the skills needed for effective communication with people of other cultures, which includes cross-cultural competence), and sometimes regarded as the precursor to the achievement of cultural competence, but is a more widely used term than cultural competence.

On the individual level, cultural sensitivity enables travellers and workers to successfully navigate a different culture with which they are interacting.

Cultural sensitivity counters ethnocentrism, and involves intercultural communication and other skills. Many countries’ populations include groups comprising indigenous peoples and immigrants from other cultures, and workplaces, educational institutions, media and organisations of all types are mindful of being culturally sensitive to these groups.

Increasingly, training is being incorporated into workplaces and students’ curricula at all levels. The training is usually aimed at the dominant culture, but in multicultural societies may also be taught to migrants to teach them about other minority groups, and it may also be taught to expatriates working in other countries.

Cultural diversity includes demographic factors (such as race, gender, and age) as well as values and cultural norms.

Cultural competence, also known as intercultural competence, is a range of cognitive, affective, and behavioural skills that lead to effective and appropriate communication with people of other Cultures.

Intercultural or cross-cultural education are terms used for the training to achieve cultural competence.

Effective intercultural communication relates to behaviours that culminate with the accomplishment of the desired goals of the interaction and all parties involved in the situation. Appropriate intercultural communication includes behaviours that suit the expectations of a specific culture, the characteristics of the situation, and the level of the relationship between the parties involved in the situation.

Multi-Cultural Sensitivity

Cultural knowledge” means that you know about some cultural characteristics, history, values, beliefs, and behaviours of another ethnic or cultural group. “Cultural sensitivity” is knowing that differences exist between cultures, but not assigning values to the differences (better or worse, right or wrong).

People who seamlessly interact with others from different cultures by following the norms of that culture. They feel that they can respect their own values while adapting to the values of other cultures they interact with.

5 steps anyone can take to become more culturally sensitive

1. Be aware of why you want to learn more about other cultures.
2. Educate yourself on intercultural communication.
3. Become aware of your own culture and biases.
4. Let go of any ethnocentric beliefs.
5. Ask questions during intercultural exchanges!

Why it is important

Cultural differences cause behaviour and personality differences like body language, thinking, communication, manners, norms, etc. which leads to miscommunication. For example, in some cultures eye contact is important whereas in some it is rude and disrespectful so it is important to be more cautious & careful.

4 Reason for culture sensitivity/Insensitivity

1. Ethnocentrism
2. Stereo type & Prejudices
3. Fear
4. Ignorance

How to Improve & Build Cultural Competence

1. Educate yourself
2. Value & Respect Diversity
3. Build friendships
4. Be flexible & patient

Communicate, Communicate & Communicate

Skills of a multicultural Mentor

• Sensitivity to one’s own and other cultures.
• Cultural awareness and curiosity.
• Cultural empathy.
• Multilingual skills.
• Contextual understanding and sensitivity.
• Semantic awareness.
• Ability to switch among cultural frames of reference and communication mode.