Which of the following is NOT one of Cross' assumptions about a culturally competent care system?

• A. It acknowledges culture as a predominant force in shaping behaviors and values.
• B. It understands the dignity of the person requires the preservation of the dignity of his/her people.
• C. It reflects the validity and superiority of the thought patterns of Western peoples.
• D. It views the family as necessary to understanding the individual.

Answer: (C)

Cross’s approach to culturally competent care emphasizes recognizing that culture strongly shapes beliefs and behaviors, honoring the dignity of the person as connected to the dignity of their broader cultural group, and involving family as a key part of understanding an individual. It rejects ethnocentric judgments that claim one culture’s ideas are superior to others. The statement that a culturally competent system should reflect the validity and superiority of Western thought patterns runs counter to this, as it promotes cultural superiority rather than respect for diverse cultural perspectives. The other statements align with the idea that culture matters in shaping behavior, that dignity extends to the person’s broader community, and that family plays a crucial role in understanding the individual.