Dr. Kaplan is working with a Japanese-American client, and regards the client’s silence as an indication that he is not happy to be in therapy. He fails to consider that his client has learned that authority figures should be shown deference and that his silence is a sign of respect. Dr. Kaplan is demonstrating __.
Group of answer choices
unconditional positive regard
poor cultural competence
a transference response
free association
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is poor cultural competence.
Explanation:
In the scenario described, Dr. Kaplan’s interpretation of his Japanese-American client’s silence as a sign of dissatisfaction with therapy reveals a lack of understanding of cultural differences. The client’s silence is actually rooted in cultural norms, where silence is often used as a way of showing respect and deference to authority figures, rather than an indication of unhappiness or resistance to therapy. Dr. Kaplan, however, interprets the silence according to his own cultural assumptions, which is a failure to recognize and appreciate the client’s cultural background. This type of misunderstanding is an example of poor cultural competence.
Cultural competence in therapy refers to the therapist’s ability to recognize, understand, and respect the cultural differences that clients bring to therapy. It involves being aware of cultural factors that influence communication styles, emotional expressions, and behaviors. Therapists with cultural competence seek to avoid making assumptions based on their own cultural lenses and instead work to understand and adapt to the cultural perspectives of their clients.
Dr. Kaplan’s behavior reflects a lack of this cultural competence. Instead of recognizing the cultural significance of silence in his Japanese-American client’s upbringing, he incorrectly attributes it to a negative emotional response. This misinterpretation could affect the therapeutic relationship and hinder the effectiveness of therapy.
To practice cultural competence, therapists should strive to educate themselves about various cultural practices, seek supervision or consultation when working with clients from different backgrounds, and engage in open, respectful dialogues with clients about their cultural norms and values. This approach ensures that therapy is more inclusive, empathetic, and effective.