Glossary

Assumptions: Statements accepted as true without proof or demonstration.

Bias: The pattern of treating someone/something differently than others, either positively or
negatively.

Cultural Collisions: A misunderstanding based on different cultural backgrounds, knowledge, experience or expectations of the participants.

Cultural Diversity: The mosaic of individuals and groups with varying backgrounds, experiences, styles, perceptions, values and beliefs.

Cultural Group: Individuals who share a common culture, including certain behaviors, knowledge, values, assumptions, expectations and skills.

Culture: Any patterned set of behaviors, knowledge, values, beliefs, experiences and traditions shared by a particular group of people.

Discrimination: The act of treating someone differently on the basis of that individual's race,
religion, ethnicity, national origin, age, physical ability, gender, sexual orientation, or other characteristics. Discrimination is action based on one's prejudice.

Ethnic Group: A segment of a larger society whose members have a common origin and share a common culture. The group is perceived by others in the society as being different in some combination of the following traits: ancestral homeland, language, religion, or race. The members perceive themselves as culturally distinct within the larger society.

Generalization: A common characteristic (e.g., belief, value, behavior, etc.) of a particular cultural group, balanced by the awareness that further information is always needed to ascertain whether the generalization holds true for a particular situation.

Homophobia: The fear of homosexuals, or people thought to be lesbian, gay, or bisexual. This term is at the root of prejudice and discrimination based on an individual's sexual orientation.

Platinum Rule: Treat others as they want to be treated.

Prejudice: An adverse judgment about a person or group of people based on limited knowledge or stereotypes.

Race: A concept which focuses on differences in humans based on physical characteristics.

Racism: Prejudice or discrimination based on an individual's race. It can be expressed individually or through institutional policies or practices.

Scapegoating: The act of unjustly blaming an individual or group, based on an oversimplified view of a complex problem.

Sexism: Prejudice or discrimination based on gender. Like other "isms," sexism can be personal, as when someone tells a joke or makes a remark that demeans a woman because of his or her gender, or institutional, as when women are paid less than men doing the same work.

Stereotype: The assumption or belief that all members of a particular group are the same.