In practicing cultural humility, rather than learning to identify and respond to sets of culturally specific traits

Developing Cultural Humility: Self-Reflection Exercise

“In practicing cultural humility, rather than learning to identify and respond 

to sets of culturally specific traits, the culturally competent provider develops 

and practices a process of self-awareness and reflection.” 

minimum of two sentences per question, you will receive full credit for this assignment. 

There are no “right” or “wrong” answers. The purpose of the assignment is reflective thought about our own perceptions, their roots, and their development over time.

1. Identify your own cultural and family beliefs and values.

For example, think about your experiences growing up. What 

was your parents’/caregivers relationship(s) like? What about 

your grandparents or other adult family members? What are 

some of the key lessons you learned growing up that you would 

like to pass on to your children?

2. Define your own personal culture/identity: ethnicity, age, experience, 

education, socio-economic status, gender, sexual orientation, and faith 

or spiritual beliefs.

o How have you integrated your early experiences into who you 

are today? To what extent have your beliefs and values changed 

as you have grown up?

3. Are you aware of your personal biases and assumptions about people 

with different values than yours?

o For example, are there situations in which you find it hard to 

relate to others? Or perhaps you have noticed that you are less 

likely to confide in some people than others?

4. Challenge yourself in identifying your own values as the “norm.”

o For instance, think about a time when you were aware of your 

fully accepted values or beliefs being different from those of 

other people.