Correctional Officer Basic Training - Cultural Awareness (COBT 142) Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering the definitions, levels, emotional reactions, bridging attitudes, offender supervision considerations, and strategies from COBT 142 (Revision Date: 01/01/2026).

Culture

The accumulated thoughts, communications, habits, attitudes, customs, institutions, and beliefs of a group of people that define for them their general behavior and way of life; it is the total set of learned activities of a people.

Diversity

Differences among people related to factors such as age, business background, culture, disability, education, employee status, family, gender, language, national origin, physical appearance, race, religion, sexual orientation, etc.

Cultural Awareness

Continually developing your awareness of our own and others' cultures to assist in the performance of your professional duties.

Level 1 Cultural Awareness

My way is the only way.

Level 2 Cultural Awareness

I know their way, but my way is better.

Level 3 Cultural Awareness

My way and their way.

Level 4 Cultural Awareness

Our Way.

Emotional Reactions in Cross-Cultural Communication

1. Anxiety, 2. Disconfirmed Expectations, 3. Desire for Feeling of Belonging, and 4. Confrontation with One's Own Prejudices.

Attitudes That Help Bridge Culture

1. Admit That You Don't Know, 2. Suspend Judgments, 3. Empathy, 4. Self-Assessment, and 5. Become Comfortable with Ambiguity.

Institution Culture

A culture that is predatory in nature, where an offender's reputation is high prized possession, and offenders will unite for a common cause.

Divisive Staff Tactics

Offenders attempting to divide staff along racial/ethnic/cultural lines, specifically when predatory offenders attempt to find commonality with staff to divide staff along these lines.

Communication Differences

A consideration when supervising offenders noting that there are offenders within the system that cannot speak the English language well or, in some cases, not at all.

Strategies for Becoming More Culturally Aware

1. Develop Awareness, 2. Acquire Knowledge About Other Groups, 3. Develop Cross-Cultural Skills, 4. Develop A Network of Service Providers, 5. Be aware that you know less about minority ethnic cultures, and 6. Be Aware of Institutional and Latent Cultural Bigotry.