The impact of culture as a causative influence on the perceptions, interpretations and behaviors of persons in specific cultural groups is important. Issues such as cultural differences in defining health and in designing treatments are also important. As knowledge of specific cultures is gained, cross cultural comparison can lead to recognition of possible universal aspects as well. Ideology is comprised of the ideas of a group, their nature and source, and the doctrines, opinions or ways of thinking of a group. These are attached to an agreed upon set of beliefs or a creed.
Ethnocentrism is the belief that one's own culture is superior to all others.
This belief is common to all cultural groups, all groups regard their own culture as not only the best but also the correct, moral and only way of life. It is this attitude which creates problems between nurses and clients of diverse cultural groups. U.S. Census Bureau, The 1990 Census, 1990. G.M. Applied anthropology. W. B. Saunders, 352-364, 1985.