Provide scenarios or examples from your own experiences how Cultural Competency/Diversity is needed in ABA.
Summarize your 2 favorite points from Fong (2017).
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
The Importance of Cultural Competency and Diversity in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
Introduction
Cultural competency and diversity play a pivotal role in the effectiveness of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). As practitioners work with individuals from varying backgrounds, understanding cultural nuances can significantly impact treatment efficacy. This essay will provide scenarios from my own experiences that illustrate the necessity of cultural competency in ABA, followed by a summary of my two favorite points from Fong (2017).
Scenarios Illustrating the Need for Cultural Competency in ABA
Scenario 1: Language Barriers and Communication Styles
In my previous role as an ABA therapist, I worked with a child whose family spoke Spanish as their primary language. During initial assessments, it became evident that language barriers hindered effective communication. The child exhibited challenging behaviors, which were misinterpreted due to a lack of understanding of cultural expressions and communication styles.
Recognizing this, I collaborated with a bilingual colleague to ensure that we delivered services in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner. By using translated materials and engaging the family in their primary language, we fostered a better understanding of the child’s needs and preferences. This approach not only improved rapport with the family but also allowed us to tailor interventions that were more culturally relevant, ultimately leading to more positive outcomes.
Scenario 2: Cultural Values and Behavioral Expectations
Another experience involved working with a teenager from a community where collectivist values predominated. The family emphasized group harmony and respect for authority, which influenced the teenager’s behavior. In our initial sessions, I noticed that traditional ABA interventions focused on individual goals did not resonate well with the family’s values.
To address this, I engaged the family in open discussions about their cultural beliefs and how they could be integrated into the treatment plan. We adjusted our goals to include family involvement in decision-making processes and fostered a collaborative environment that respected their values. This shift not only enhanced the teenager’s motivation but also strengthened family cohesion, demonstrating how cultural awareness can lead to more effective interventions.
Summary of Fong (2017)
From Fong’s (2017) work, two points particularly resonated with me:
Point 1: The Role of Cultural Competency in Treatment Planning
Fong emphasizes that cultural competency is essential in developing effective treatment plans. Understanding a client’s cultural background allows practitioners to tailor interventions that align with the client’s values and beliefs. This adaptability not only enhances engagement but also improves treatment outcomes by ensuring that strategies resonate with clients’ lived experiences.
Point 2: The Importance of Ongoing Education
Fong underscores the need for ongoing education in cultural competency for ABA practitioners. As society becomes increasingly diverse, it is crucial for professionals to continually seek knowledge about different cultures, practices, and perspectives. This commitment to lifelong learning ensures that practitioners remain sensitive to the evolving needs of their clients, fostering an inclusive and effective practice.
Conclusion
Cultural competency and diversity are integral to successful ABA practice. Through my experiences, I have witnessed firsthand how understanding and respecting cultural differences can lead to better communication, collaboration, and ultimately improved treatment outcomes. Fong’s insights further reinforce the importance of adapting our approaches and committing to ongoing education in cultural competency. By prioritizing these elements, ABA practitioners can provide more effective and respectful care to individuals from diverse backgrounds.
