Self-Awareness of Values and Biases

OMSW 501-Self-Awareness of Values and Biases:  

In this assignment, which is to be written in essay form double spaced and no more than 6-8 5-8 pages.  Use a heading for each section. You will critically examine your existing bias/values toward persons based on their gender, ethnicity, sexuality, geographic location, nationality, etc. This exercise is designed for you to acknowledge and evaluate these biases and their potential impact on your professional practice. You will be graded SOLELY on your ability to self-evaluate, and self-reflect and earnestly review areas that may require your change and your growth in order to be a better clinician.  Consider your personal, family, and your cultural values/background when answering the following statements. List both positive and negative assumptions you have learned from your family values and community/culture about a particular group. Address how these values/assumptions may influence your professional practice.

Tip/Pointers from previous cohorts: This is not an exercise you can complete in one day; this is an exercise which causes a great deal of self-reflection; this is a growth and learning exercise; “you may feel uncomfortable about how you are currently feeling about a particular group but know that change and growth in this area is possible.”

You must answer each of the questions listed below:

1. What assumptions or values (both positive and negative) were implicit in your background about someone who is an African American female? Also, consider and discuss how these values may influence your professional practice.

1. What did you learn about someone who is an African American male (both positive and negative)? Also, consider and discuss how these values may influence your professional practice.

1. What assumptions/biases do you hold towards someone from another ethnic group (you select the group)? Consider and discuss how these values may influence your professional practice with a person from specified ethnic group

1. What assumptions/biases do you hold towards someone who is an African American and of a “lower” socioeconomic group? Consider and discuss how these values may influence your professional practice with a person from a “lower” socioeconomic group.

1. What assumptions/biases do you hold towards someone who is African American and has a higher level of education than you hold? Consider and discuss how these values might influence your professional practice with a person who you believe is better educated.

1. What assumptions/biases do you hold towards someone who is an African American who identifies as a homosexual? Consider and discuss how these values may influence your professional practice with a person who identifies as gay or lesbian.

1. What assumptions/biases do you have towards someone who has a learning challenge either acknowledged or unacknowledged? Consider and discuss how your values or biases values may influence your professional practice.

1. What assumptions/biases do you hold towards someone who is aged 65 or older? Consider and discuss how these values may influence your professional practice with a person who is aged 65 or older.

10. Describe how the stereotypes you believe and biases you hold/held might influence the phases of helping discussed in chapters 9 and 10.

1. To transcend those internal and external forces that tend to perpetuate prejudice, intolerance, and discrimination, outline the key points of a plan by which you might strengthen your capacity to accept others, especially those who differ from yourself? In this section, review each area discussed above and outline in detail, specific, and concrete terms, the activities you might engage in to reduce the acknowledged biases. Use references to support your plan of action.