Multicultural Competency. Prepare a 700- to 1,050-word paper based on your assessment, in which you apply these multicultural guidelines and standards to your personal life and workplace. Answer the following questions: o What biases, percepti

I am a Caucasian woman who grew up in a small farm town.  Simply from that statement, a person can formulate an opinion of me.  I, as well, need to be aware of making snap judgments of people based on their culture. Throughout my life, I have grown-up surrounded and amidst diversity.  My best childhood friend was African American and I never gave her race a second thought.  Growing up in a family that does not “see” color and possessing a father whose best friend was of a different race, kept me from understanding and knowing racism.

With my hometown being extremely diverse I experienced and learned about a variety of cultures.  For instance, in junior high it was a requirement at my school to take the course Native American History.  It was also a requirement to participate in Native American Heritage assemblies, regardless of individual heritage or race.  I am proud to say that I am Native American, yet am not recognized as such because I lack government and tribal documentation.  In high school, I experienced reverse discrimination.  I had written an essay regarding my Native American heritage and ancestry and provided evidence.  The school and Native American Parent Association recognized me as Native American, without legal documentation.  I was thrilled and wanted to learn all I could about the culture.  I received however ridicule, scoffing, and anger from my fellow Native American peers.  The harsh comments, bias, and judgments were cruel and painful.  I told myself at the age of 16 that I would do my best to never make another individual believe he or she was inferior to me, regarding his or her race, ethnicity, or culture.  

However, as an adult and through this assignment I have come across some of my own biases, perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs regarding culturally different groups.  I think about the stereotypes I learned and heard in school and college and without knowing, used to create an opinion of someone. As a teenager, I learned there was a scaffold of intelligence, and Asian children were at the peak.  They were deemed supreme in obedience, intelligence, and work ethic. In college, I encountered an Asian friend who fit this stereotype.  She was brilliant, possessed strong work ethic, and was very compliant and respectful. In my third year of teaching, I had two Asian males in my class and was overwhelmed with joy and hope that their qualities would affect the other pupils.  I was shocked when I discovered this was not the case regarding my two Asian pupils.  

As stated previously, it is important to be aware of any bias, perceptions, attitudes, or beliefs I possess regarding individuals of a different culture.  I have realized that I must be cognizant to be a psychologist who possesses multicultural competency.  I have to become client-centered by viewing issues through the client’s worldview. Living open-minded and open-hearted can help me to detain from imposing only my worldview and permitting a more effective and knowledgeable client/professional relationship. 

Through the desire and willingness to learn about various cultures, education courses, and life experiences I am confident and believe myself to be quite knowledgeable in values, practices, and experiences of individuals culturally different from me.  However, there is always opportunity for further growth and development in becoming a multicultural competent individual.  With this acknowledgement, I often find that I am sometimes "too American" in my delivery.  I am an extroverted and loud individual.  My mannerisms and gestures are usually not geared to the audience.  To become more culturally competent I need to fit my style more to meet the audience and the cultural listener. Language diversity is another area of weakness.  I am proficient in only English, my native tongue. I can address these shortcomings by trying to learn another language, continuing to study appropriate gestures, vocal qualities, eye contact features, and other common customs are indicative to specific groups, and building empathy for those of a different culture.  

References

(2003). Guidelines on multicultural education, training, research, practice, and organizational change for Psychologists. American Psychologist, 58(5), 377-402. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.58.5.377.