Next stop in our ASWB exam content outline tour: The effect of culture, race, and ethnicity on behaviors, attitudes, and identity. Let's read up and then try out a practice question on the topic.

Culture, race, and ethnicity significantly influence behaviors, attitudes, and identity, shaping how individuals perceive themselves and interact with the world. These factors can contribute to a person’s values, communication styles, coping mechanisms, and sense of belonging. Here's a basic rundown of essential concepts for the exam:

Culture and Its Impact

Culture refers to shared beliefs, practices, norms, and values of a group. It shapes behavior, attitudes, and identity by providing a framework for understanding the world.

  • Behaviors

    • Can determine communication styles (direct vs. indirect, verbal vs. nonverbal).
    • Influences decision-making, conflict resolution, and family roles.
    • Can shape expressions of emotions and acceptable behaviors in different settings.

  • Attitudes

    • Defines beliefs about authority, gender roles, and education.
    • Impacts views on health, mental illness, and treatment-seeking behaviors.
    • Shapes attitudes towards individualism vs. collectivism.

  • Identity

    • Cultural identity involves shared language, traditions, and practices.
    • Provides a sense of belonging and pride.
    • Influences self-concept and how individuals define themselves within a group.

Race and Its Impact

Race is often defined by physical characteristics and is a socially constructed concept that impacts individuals' experiences and societal attitudes.

  • Behaviors

    • Experiences of discrimination and racism can lead to hypervigilance, distrust, or resistance behaviors.
    • Coping strategies may include withdrawal, activism, or resilience-building practices.

  • Attitudes

    • Impacts perceptions of fairness, justice, and authority.
    • Can influence self-esteem positively (racial pride) or negatively (internalized racism).

  • Identity

    • Racial identity development involves stages, from unawareness to integration.
    • Intersectionality: how race intersects with gender, class, and other identities to shape experiences.

Ethnicity and Its Impact

Ethnicity refers to shared cultural traits, such as language, history, and religious practices.

  • Potential Behaviors

    • May prescribe dietary practices, dress codes, and religious observances.
    • Can shape family dynamics and intergenerational behaviors.

  • Attitudes

    • Influences perceptions of in-group (us) vs. out-group (them).
    • Can shape attitudes toward other ethnic groups, potentially leading to ethnocentrism.

  • Identity

    • Ethnic identity includes a sense of shared history and cultural pride.
    • Can act as a protective factor against stress and discrimination.

Intersections and Challenges

  • Intersectionality: Understanding how culture, race, and ethnicity intersect with gender, class, and other identities to impact experiences and oppression.
  • Acculturation and Assimilation: Balancing cultural retention with adaptation in new environments.
  • Stereotype Threat: Fear of confirming stereotypes can affect behavior and performance.
  • Internalized Oppression: Adoption of negative beliefs about one's own group, impacting self-esteem and identity.

Implications for Social Work Practice

  • Cultural Competence: Understanding and respecting diverse cultural perspectives.
  • Culturally Responsive Interventions: Adapting approaches to align with cultural beliefs and practices.
  • Advocacy: Addressing systemic racism and promoting equity.

On the Exam

An ASWB exam question based on this material might look something like this:

During a session, a client who identifies as African American expresses feelings of self-doubt and inadequacy, attributing them to past experiences of discrimination. The social worker recognizes these feelings as potential indicators of:

A. Stereotype threat

B. Cultural assimilation

C. Internalized oppression

D. Racial microaggressions

Have your answer?

Internalized oppression occurs when individuals adopt negative beliefs about their own group due to societal discrimination, leading to self-doubt and decreased self-esteem. The correct answer is C. Why not A? Stereotype threat involves fear of confirming stereotypes in performance situations, which is related but not the same. Why not B? Cultural assimilation refers to adopting the dominant culture’s practices, not self-doubt caused by discrimination. Why not D? Racial microaggressions are common, often subtle, race-based discriminatory actions, not the internalization of these messages.

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March 14, 2025
Categories :
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