TY - JOUR
T1 - Reimagining Cultural Competence
T2 - Bringing Buried Dynamics Into the Light
AU - Foldy, Erica Gabrielle
AU - Buckley, Tamara R.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2017, © The Author(s) 2017.
PY - 2017/6
Y1 - 2017/6
N2 - Many organizations attempt to increase cultural competence as one way to foster organizational change to enhance equity and inclusion. But the literature on cultural competence is largely silent on the role of emotion, despite the strong feelings that inevitably accompany work in cross-racial dyads, groups, and institutions. We offer group relations theory as an approach rooted in the importance of emotions, especially anxiety, and offering a rich awareness of how unconscious processes, including defense mechanisms like splitting and projection, drive that anxiety. We show how this approach helps us both diagnose and address difficult dynamics, including by recognizing entrenched power inequities. We draw on examples from others’ research as well as our own research, teaching, and consulting to illustrate key concepts. Ultimately, we argue that buried emotions can create distance and inhibit change. Surfacing and addressing them can foster connection and provide a way for organizations to move forward.
AB - Many organizations attempt to increase cultural competence as one way to foster organizational change to enhance equity and inclusion. But the literature on cultural competence is largely silent on the role of emotion, despite the strong feelings that inevitably accompany work in cross-racial dyads, groups, and institutions. We offer group relations theory as an approach rooted in the importance of emotions, especially anxiety, and offering a rich awareness of how unconscious processes, including defense mechanisms like splitting and projection, drive that anxiety. We show how this approach helps us both diagnose and address difficult dynamics, including by recognizing entrenched power inequities. We draw on examples from others’ research as well as our own research, teaching, and consulting to illustrate key concepts. Ultimately, we argue that buried emotions can create distance and inhibit change. Surfacing and addressing them can foster connection and provide a way for organizations to move forward.
KW - Cultural competence
KW - diversity and inclusion
KW - emotions
KW - power
KW - unconscious processes
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U2 - 10.1177/0021886317707830
DO - 10.1177/0021886317707830
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85019219811
SN - 0021-8863
VL - 53
SP - 264
EP - 289
JO - Journal of Applied Behavioral Science
JF - Journal of Applied Behavioral Science
IS - 2
ER -