Sensitivity training

Definition

Sensitivity training is a form of education aimed at increasing awareness and understanding of social and cultural differences, fostering empathy, and improving interpersonal communication. It helps individuals recognize biases and stereotypes while promoting respect and sensitivity toward others' feelings and experiences. This kind of training can play a vital role in preparing interviewers to conduct ethical interviews that honor the dignity of their subjects.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Sensitivity training helps interviewers understand how their own biases can affect the way they ask questions or interact with their subjects.
2. This training often includes role-playing scenarios to practice responses in a safe environment, which can be particularly helpful in honing interviewing skills.
3. Being aware of cultural differences can improve the quality of interviews by ensuring that questions are relevant and respectful to the interviewee's background.
4. Sensitivity training encourages interviewers to consider emotional reactions that might arise during interviews, helping them to navigate sensitive topics with care.
5. It promotes ethical standards in journalism by advocating for practices that protect the dignity and privacy of interviewees.

Review Questions

• How does sensitivity training enhance the interviewing process for journalists?
  • Sensitivity training enhances the interviewing process by equipping journalists with the skills to recognize their own biases and understand the perspectives of their subjects. It fosters empathy, which leads to more respectful and meaningful interactions. As interviewers become more aware of cultural and emotional nuances, they can ask better questions that promote open dialogue while respecting the interviewee's feelings.
• In what ways can lack of sensitivity in interviews lead to ethical breaches in journalism?
  • Lack of sensitivity in interviews can lead to ethical breaches by causing journalists to inadvertently perpetuate stereotypes or invade the privacy of their subjects. When interviewers fail to consider the emotional impact of their questions or overlook cultural differences, they risk misrepresenting their subjects or causing distress. This not only harms the trust between journalists and their sources but also undermines the integrity of the reporting process.
• Evaluate how sensitivity training could be implemented within journalistic education programs to improve ethical interviewing practices.
  • Implementing sensitivity training in journalistic education programs could involve integrating workshops that focus on cultural awareness, empathy development, and ethical communication practices. By including interactive exercises such as role-playing and discussions around real-life scenarios, students can practice handling sensitive topics. This approach encourages future journalists to adopt a mindset focused on respect and understanding, ultimately leading to improved interviewing techniques that uphold journalistic ethics.

Related terms

Empathy:

The ability to understand and share the feelings of another person, which is essential for effective communication and relationship building.

Cultural Competence:

The awareness, knowledge, and skills needed to interact effectively with people from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Active Listening: A communication technique that involves fully concentrating, understanding, responding, and remembering what is being said during an interaction.