ACCESS

The removal of barriers or discrimination that contribute to unequal opportunities to take part in work activities, organization, or community activities (American Psychological Association[APA], 2026)
 

ACCULTURATION

Learning a culture's practices, traditions, and nuances while entering that culture. From a negative perspective, it can be when a dominant culture tries to acculturate members of a smaller culture (University of Pittsburgh[PITT], 2024).   
 

ACTIVISM

A process of campaigning in public or working for an organization to bring about political or social change (Collins, n.d.)
 

AGENCY

The ability to freely make conscious decisions and choices for yourself (PITT, 2024).
 

ARTIFACT

Anything created by humans to describe their culture. This can be any art, painting, sculpture, mixed media, music, performance art, dance, etc.
 

AUDIENCE

The people who will be taking in what you are sharing. Your reader(s), your viewer(s), your listener(s).
 

AVOIDING

Concerning a conflict, intentionally ignoring or leaving the conflict.
 

BIAS

Showing preference, or predisposition, positive or negative, for something. This can be unconscious, or you may be aware of it (APA, 2026).   
 

BELIEF

Being confident that a person is trustworthy or that a statement or idea is true, even if you do not have proof (Merriam-Webster, n.d.).   
 

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

Actions taken by an individual or a group to identify and address issues of public concern in order to improve their community (American Psychological Association, 2009).
 

CREATIVE EXPRESSION

Conveying a message through various artistic mediums like painting, music, sculpture, writing, photography, architecture, video, poetry, etc.  
 

CULTURAL RELATIVISM

Not judging a culture by your own beliefs of what is right, wrong, strange, or normal.  
 

CREATIVE WORK

Any artistic work, such as painting, sculpture, written work, or song, that is used by an individual or culture to express themselves or convey a message.
 

COLLABORATING

Concerning a conflict, when individuals or groups work together until the needs of each individual or group are met without either having to make compromises.
 

COMPROMISING

Concerning a conflict, individuals or groups agree because each side agrees to make compromises.
 

CULTURAL APPROPRIATION

When someone or a group represents the traits, traditions, language, or customs of another cultural group in a stereotypical way, disrespectful manner, or without full appreciation for the significance of their meaning (Southern New Hampshire University [SNHU], 2024).
 

CULTURAL FLUENCY

The ability to understand norms and perspectives of diverse cultures, respond appropriately, and share mutual appreciation and respect (PITT, 2024).
 

CULTURE

A set of unspoken rules and customs shared among a group of people passed from generation to generation, shaping values, beliefs, and behaviors (SNHU, 2024).                                       

DIVERSITY

Visible or invisible traits that make us similar or different from one another. Some examples are socioeconomic class, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical ability, neurodivergence, religion, language, national origin, family type, generation, and more (SNHU, 2024).
 

EMPATHY

Understanding the feelings and perspectives of another person. This differs from sympathy because sympathy is only understanding that what someone is experiencing is good or bad. Empathy is identifying with that feeling and seeing the point of view it brings (American Psychological Association [APA], 2018).  


ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

The effort to ensure that all people have equitable access to a healthy, sustainable, and resilient environment, and protection from environmental and health hazards (University of Michigan, 2026).

 

EQUALITY

When everyone in a society or group has the same status or rights, such as freedom of speech, civil rights, and equal access to goods and services (PITT, 2024).

 

EQUITY

Equal access and opportunities, along with the elimination of barriers, prevent some groups from fully participating. It is an acknowledgment that historically underserved and underrepresented populations deserve fairness and justice to remedy systemic conditions that limit their opportunity and access (SNHU, 2024).
 

ETHICS

A set of guidelines based on morals and principles that govern personal and professional behavior.
 

ETHNICITY

People with a shared cultural heritage derive from values, behavioral patterns, language, political and economic interests, history, geographical base, and ancestry. Examples include Haitian, African American (Black), Chinese, Korean (Asian), Cherokee, Navajo (Native American), Cuban, Mexican (Latino), Irish, and Swedish (White European) (SNHU, 2024).
 

FAIRNESS

A sense that things are even or equitable.                                 

INCLUSION

Intentional, continual, and positive actions are taken to involve others in your group, whether socially, professionally, or in your community. The purpose is to make them feel welcome and benefit from the many rewards of diversity (SNHU, 2024).
 

JUSTICE

What society generally believes is right. If the consensus is great enough, it may even become law.
 

IDENTITY

A person’s sense of self is based on how they perceive their physical and psychological characteristics and how they believe others perceive them. It is also shaped by cultural and societal norms, beliefs, and values (APA, 2018).
 

INFORMATION LITERACY

Understanding when information is needed, evaluating it for accuracy and validity, and using it effectively.
 

MARGINALIZED

Any group systematically oppressed by limiting access to resources or opportunities. This is done through unequal power relationships between social groups that sustain inequities (APA, 2026).
 

MINDFUL

Paying attention to the present moment, your thoughts, feelings, and emotions, and/or respecting others' thoughts, feelings, and emotions. 
 

NARRATIVE

Story, portrayal, or the way society generally talks about something. Example: How a group of people is portrayed in movies or music.         
                                    

NEURODIVERSITY

In sociology and psychology, it is the natural variation in human brain function and behavior (Eldridge, 2024).
 

NORMS

The social rules we understand guide our behavior. Things we know to do without being told.
 

RATIONALE

Something that is based on sound logic and reason, or your reason for doing something.
 

RELEVANCE

Connected to the topic or appropriate for the situation.
 

PERSPECTIVES

Individuals from different backgrounds and/or cultures offer various interpretations of events and ideas, or different points of view. ​Diverse perspectives help to shape our understanding of culture, ethics, and social issues.​
 

SOCIOCULTURAL

A combination of social and cultural factors that influence something. For example, ethnicity and religion impact a person's decision about how many children to have.  
 

SOCIAL JUSTICE

When everyone in society is treated EQUITABLY in every aspect of society (SNHU, 2024).
 

STEREOTYPE

A generalized belief or assumption. They can lead to blanket judgments, prejudices, and intentional or unintentional discrimination. Stereotypes are typically negative, based on little information, and failing to recognize individualism and personal traits (SNHU, 2024).
 

THEME

A central idea, message, or topic. For example, love is the theme of the plays The Glass Menagerie, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Long Day’s Journey into Night.
 

VALUES

Things that we feel are meaningful. This can be different from person to person.