The Dynamics of Difference
COMPETENCY AND SENSITIVITY AND THE
CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROFESSIONAL
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Session Ground Rules
Understand that we are all experts in our own
experiences.
Respect others experiences, values and opinions.
Be non-judgmental.
Say OUCH and then Educate.
Take Risks
Have a Little Fun
Expect unfinished business
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Learning ……
“You suddenly understand something you have
understood all your life, but in a whole new way. That
is what learning is.”
Doris Lessing – Persian Author
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What is Diversity?
Ethnic Group, Race, Color Mental/Physical Ability
Country of Origin or
Nationality
Gender
Religion
Sexual
Orientation/Gender
Identity/Transgender
Family/Marital Status
Age
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What Else Is Diversity?
•Level of Education
•Experience
•Socio Economic Status
•Size
•Politics
•Geography
•Address
•Language
•Acculturation
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Diversity
Many people see diversity as a lightning rod for
conflict.
Our goal is to enhance the communication and
collaboration skills of all team members who
come to the workplace with a diversity of
perspectives and world views.
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How we interact with others…..
Is determined in large part by how we see the world,
how we see ourselves, and how we see others who are
different from ourselves….
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Demographic Data - 2010
State of Florida
White
57%
Black
16.6%
Hispanic
23.2%
Asian
2.7%
2 or more races 1.9%
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Demographic Data - 2010
State of Florida
Male
Female
Foreign Born
Language other
Than English at
home
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48.9%
51.1%
19.3%
27.3%
Law Enforcement & The
Community
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In The News
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What is Culture
A community’s shared set of norms, practices,
beliefs, values, traditions, customs, and means
of expression….among other things
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Culture Determines…..
…….How we communicate, analyze, judge and
interpret information
It also determines our behavior, responses and
reactions
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Culture frames our view of the world…..It is
divided in Surface Culture and Deep Culture
SURFACE CULTURE
DEEP CULTURE
Food
Ceremonies & Rites
Attire/Appearance
Courtship & Marriage
Holidays
Health & Medicine
Arts
Family Ties
Heroes
Body Language
Folklore/Superstitions
Religion – Values – Beliefs
Gender Roles
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Cultural Competency defined
An individual or organization with the
appropriate awareness, attitudes,
behaviors, and skills to interact effectively
with members of diverse populations.
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Cultural Competency
Is the ability to function
effectively within the existence of
cultural differences.
Requires a willingness to be open to the
expectations and realities of various
cultures.
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Five Elements of
Cultural Competency
Awareness of your own culture
Understanding the dynamics of difference
Awareness and acceptance of difference
Development of cultural knowledge
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Cultureimpacts…
impacts…
Culture
Culture
impacts…
Learning
Problem-solving
Verbal and nonverbal communication
Displays of emotion
Dealing with conflict
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The Impact of Personal Culture
on Communications
The Power of Words
Language and Communication style issues
 Non Verbal Communication
 Biases against the Unfamiliar
 Personal Values in Conflict
 Assumption the Everybody Knows the “Rules”
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This dimension of culture can be seen as an iceberg with
the tip sticking above the water level of conscious
awareness.
By far, the most significant part, however, is unconscious or
below the water level of awareness and includes values
and thought patterns.”
(Hall 1976)
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Implicit Bias…….
Is a preference (positive or negative) for a group
based on a stereotype or attitudes we hold and
that tends to develop early in life. Implicit bias
operates outside of human awareness and can
be understood as a lens through which a person
views the world and that automatically filters
how a person takes in and acts in regard to
information.
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Implicit bias operates at each and every
decision point as a person enters, moves
through, and exits the criminal justice system.
For example, implicit bias can impact actions
resulting from an observation of an act that is
ultimately interpreted as shoplifting: a decision
of whether to call parents or police, a decision
to charge or arrest, a decision about detention
or diversion, and other decisions all the way
through adjudication and sentencing.
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Implicit biases can be changed
Motivation to be Fair
Environment
Exposure to Counter-Typical Examples
Procedural Changes
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How they see you
The Uniform….
…….The Badge
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Career Culture
Police Officers
Corrections
Probations
Lawyers – Prosecutors/Defense
Judges
Witnesses
Jurors
Add to this the victims and defendants…..
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Cultural Bumps
As a result of personal interaction, you can be left:
Confused
Frustrated
Angry
Misunderstood
Helpless
Hopeless
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Culturally Competent
Interaction Skills
•Personal Awareness of your own culture and
values
•Respect for other’s culture and values
•Awareness of ways in which personal bias
(implicit or explicit) may effect interactions
•Understanding the dynamics of difference
•Awareness and acceptance of differences
•Flexibility and ability to adapt to differences
•Development of cultural knowledge
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Institutional Barriers
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Cultural Competency
“To be culturally competent doesn’t mean you
are an authority in the values and the beliefs of
every culture.
What it means is that you hold a deep respect
for cultural differences and are eager to learn,
and willing to accept that there are many ways
of viewing the world.”
Okokon O. Uda
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Assumptions
“At least half of the exercise I get everyday comes
from jumping to conclusions.”
Bruce Dexter
Journalist
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Key Learning
The more accurate information we have about
others, the more likely we will be able to
respond with respect and understanding
The more familiar we are, the more comfortable
we become. And with comfort and time, comes
trust resulting in effective communications
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Our challenge…
Transformation of Self – examine attitudes and
behaviors that are rooted in culture; consciously
work on developing intercultural competence-including awareness of and knowledge about
specific cultures and exceptionalities; and
understand there are many ways of viewing
the world!
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Thank You For Your Participation !!!
Barbara I. Cheives
Converge & Associates Consulting
1977 Brandywine Rd. Suite 203
West Palm Beach, FL 33409
barbara@convergeandassociates.com
(office) 561-689-2428
(cellular) 561-351-6864
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