Exercise #43
Culture as a Tool for Individual and Social Identity
Authors: Olha Fedortsiv, Emilia Burbela, Vladimir Dzyvak
60 min
Description
A values-mapping exercise in which students explore cultural identity by identifying and ranking personal, regional, and national values, then comparing them across groups to develop empathy, tolerance, and awareness of cultural diversity in healthcare contexts.
Methodological Guide
Objectives
Identify and rank personal, family, regional, and national cultural values; recognise shared and distinct values across cultural groups; develop tolerance and understanding of other cultures and customs; reflect on how cultural values influence attitudes toward patients from different backgrounds.
Expected Outcomes
Students will be able to identify at least three cultural values at each level (family, regional, national) and compare them across subgroup members. Students will formulate 1–2 specific actions to improve interpersonal interaction with patients from different cultural or linguistic contexts.
Exercise Procedure
The instructor explains the purpose of the exercise (5 min). Students are divided into subgroups of 2–4 people. Each student individually completes Stage 1: sorting cultural values into priority tiers (approx. 10 min). Students share and compare their tier placements within the subgroup (approx. 20 min). Each student completes Stage 2: reflecting on what surprised them during the comparison (approx. 10 min). A representative from each group shares highlights with the whole class (approx. 10 min). Whole-group discussion and conclusions (approx. 5 min).
Mode of Implementation
Group activity (subgroups of 2–4 students). Individual workbook entries followed by group sharing and discussion.
Role of the Teacher
The teacher facilitates the exercise by providing clear instructions and setting the pace, leading the discussion and providing constructive feedback, ensuring inclusivity and adaptation to context, and summarising learning outcomes and next steps.
Theoretical Basis
This exercise is grounded in the understanding that culture is stratified, with individual spheres arranged concentrically — from the personal and family level to the local, social, and global. Culture encompasses language, beliefs, art, traditions, knowledge, law, and ways of thinking that shape the identity of individuals and society. The exercise fosters awareness of one's own values so that in the event of a conflict of values, students can consider the extent to which their meaning can be adapted to avoid harm and promote understanding.
Practical Application
Promotes harmonious functioning in a multicultural environment by preventing conflicts arising from unjustified prioritisation of one's own values. Training participants in tolerant behaviour allows them to better understand the needs, cultural traditions, and values of patients, ensuring an individualised approach to care and treatment.
Knowledge Transfer
The exercise promotes an individualised approach to patient treatment and care, and the development of empathetic communication. It improves interprofessional collaboration by overcoming biases, clearly defining roles, and coordinating culturally appropriate care.
Reinforcement & Reflection
Questions for self-reflection: What biases did I notice during this exercise and how might they influence my decisions? What new strategy for interpreting patient requests am I prepared to implement? What ethical principles guide my work with diverse patients? What specific task am I prepared to undertake over the next week to reduce the impact of bias in my relationships?
Required Resources
Individual workbook or online workspace for recording values.
Assessment / Evaluation
The teacher evaluates each student's participation in discussing the cultural values of their classmates, their tier placements and reasoning, and their written reflection on group comparison.
Practical Tips
Encourage participants to think beyond obvious national symbols and focus on everyday customs, family traditions, and personal values. Ensure a safe and respectful atmosphere for sharing. Remind students that the tier sort has no correct answer — the debrief value lies in the divergence.
Discussion Topics
How does the educational environment influence cultural values? Which family cultural values do you hold most dear? What is your attitude toward the main cultural values in other cultures? How can you change your attitude toward traditions and customs that differ from your own in order to reduce harm and better understand patients from other cultures?
Stage 2 — Reflect on the group comparison
You have just compared your priority tier placements with your group. Now write a short reflection on what surprised you most.
- What surprised you when your group compared priority tiers?
Stage 2 — Reflect on the group comparison
You have just compared your priority tier placements with your group. Now write a short reflection on what surprised you most.
- What surprised you when your group compared priority tiers?
Further Resources
To deepen learning, write an essay on "The cultural values of your nation."
Recommended reading: Enwere et al. (2024), Harnessing Language and Culture for Community Cohesion; Gerchanivska (2021), Cultural identity as a resource for social development.
Recommended reading: Enwere et al. (2024), Harnessing Language and Culture for Community Cohesion; Gerchanivska (2021), Cultural identity as a resource for social development.
Additional Remarks
This exercise is part of Module 10: The influence of cultural factors on attitudes toward health and illness. Converted from text_submission (5 textareas) to timer_stage_manager (drag_to_category + text_submission) on 2026-04-22 to give students a tactile values-sorting experience before written reflection.