Lafromboise Research Methods

Overall, Teresa LaFromboise’s research has proven to be invaluable in the advancement and understanding of multicultural psychology, specifically in acknowledging some of the major issues that remain in developing and implementing psychological interventions for at-risk youth of American Indian descent. LaFromboise’s methods are important not only because they emphasize the necessity of multicultural and cross-cultural methods in psychology but they also have implications in modern American history as well (e.g., the controversy over the DAPL and the protests at the Standing Rock). Seeing as though multiple evaluations of the AILS demonstrates effectiveness in minimizing risk for suicide among American Indian youth across different populations,
Similar to the Hippocratic Oath that medical professionals take prior to working in the medical field, psychologists also make a similar promise to patients – and that is ‘to do no harm’. This ethical covenant is a major consideration in observational or ethnographic research, in which the goal is to assist or support the group or culture of study without interference (LaFromboise & Lewis, 2008). For instance, by taking a more hands-off approach to observational research methods and giving back the control to those who are directly affected by potential changes of the intervention, it provides the community some accountability for their actions since they are also partially responsible for the outcome as well (LaFromboise & Lewis, 2008). In just studying the behaviors or variables as requested, and participating only in the form of a helper or assistant in any given intervention, psychologists can meet their ethical obligations while still advancing social or cultural competence. Even so, the most poignant message to come out of LaFromboise’s life-work is simply to honor and respect each other’s cultures or