The nurse caring for several clients on a hospital unit notices that the American client makes eye contact with the staff, while an older adult client of Japanese descent does not make eye contact when speaking to the staff. What cultural concept explains this difference?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Cultural relativity refers to the concept that cultures relate differently to the same situations, such as the meaning of eye contact. Many Americans view eye contact as demonstrating engagement in a conversation, whereas many elderly Japanese view avoidance of eye contact with a "superior" (the nurse in this scenario) as a sign of respect.

The Nurse Caring for Several Clients on a Hospital Unit