Describe your beliefs (i.e., what they are) toward categories of difference and how the significant social institutions in your life (ex: family, school, religion, media) have influenced them.

As we live in an increasingly
diverse society, it is important to be aware of our own values, biases, and
prejudices. As social workers, it is important to recognize and acknowledge how
our beliefs may influence our interactions with clients and others. Our beliefs
toward diversity have been shaped in large part by the social institutions in
our lives, such as family, religion, education, the media, etc. Our involvement
in these institutions has influenced what we hold as “truth” or
“fact” about difference, as well as how we think, feel, and react
toward those who we perceive as different.
• Describe your beliefs (i.e., what they are) toward categories of difference and how the significant social institutions in your life (ex: family, school, religion, media) have influenced them. Address each category of difference:
• Gender and Sexuality
• Ethnic or racial heritage
• Socioeconomic group
(income, education)
• Ability and “disability”

• For each, describe how your
beliefs toward these categories of difference have changed over your life
course and any significant event, relationship, or person that influenced the
change.
• For each, identify and
discuss any biases you have toward these categories of difference, and how your
biases could influence the ways you interact with members of those groups.

Last Completed Projects