ARTICLE
Bonder, B. R., Martin, L., & Miracle, A. W. (2004). Culture emergent in occupation. American Journal of Occupational
Therapy, 58, 159-168.
PROMPT
Occupational therapy programs across the country are making efforts to ensure that occupational therapy meets its
Centennial Vision1 of having “… a globally connected and diverse workforce meeting society’s occupational needs” (p. 2).
The CSU OT program is committed to developing occupational therapists who are prepared to meet the diverse
occupational needs of their clients.
Bonder and colleagues (2004) postulate that culture is emergent through moment-to-moment interactions, and they
challenge occupational therapists to consider this approach when framing a therapeutic encounter.
We ask you to read this article and then use it to answer the following short answer questions:
1. The authors highlight five important characteristics of culture as framed within a “cultural emergent
approach.” Describe how your culture can be understood, according to the “patterned” characteristic.
Please include a specific example to illustrate. (Approximately 100 words.)
2. Considering the same five characteristics of culture as framed within a “cultural emergent approach,”
describe how your culture can be understood, according to the “continuity with change” characteristic.
Please include a specific example to illustrate. (Approximately 100 words.)
3. Considering a “rules-based approach” to understanding culture, what is a misperception about you that
someone with whom you’ve interacted might have? What makes this a misperception? What have you done
or tried to do in order to dispel this misperception? Please state the rule in your response. (Approximately
100 words.)
1
http://www.aota.org/-/media/Corporate/Files/AboutAOTA/Centennial/Background/Vision1.pdf