Multicultural Psychology Paper

Multicultural Psychology Paper

Shantel Gilbert
PSYCH/535
June 18, 2012
Dr. Gretchen Brandhorst

Multicultural Psychology
Multicultural psychology is the systematic study of all aspects of human behavior as it occurs in settings where people of different cultural backgrounds encounter each other. Multiculturalism has been considered a “fourth force” in the field of psychology, supplementing behaviorism, psychodynamic theories, and humanistic psychology. Such topics as differences consist of in worldviews and in means of communication; the acculturation process; stereotyping, prejudice, discrimination and racism; cultural identity development; and building multicultural competence. Multicultural psychology by
This neglect was not limited to culture; included was women, gays, lesbians, and people of color, just about anyone who did not fit the European prototype. The main reason behind this neglect can be seen in the American Psychological Association; the group that is the gatekeeper of the psychological world. In this organization people have aspired to his or her apex within the profession, know today as a doctorate of psychology. Over 90% of doctorate psychologist is European American (Bernal & Castro, 1994). This group is dominated by men who have over time contended that most of them do not see themselves as a part of an ethnicity. Rather they would prefer to be known as an America, neither European American nor white. The political correct attitude of colorblindness highlights the void of cultural study. When research was conducted it was done so with European American as participants. This was seen as a standard practice for studying psychology and the study results were revealed as applicable to non European Americans. Culture and Ethnicity was considered and most often viewed as a nuisance that complicated things rather than contributing to the
Being concerned with the way cultures interrelate and intercalate in terms of behaviors, multi-cultural psychology enhances the strategies and basics for co-existence among the various cultural groups in the society. More specifically, multi-cultural psychology facilitates the understanding of the society in terms of its diverse cultures in order to suggest ways and means for co-existence. Considering the fact that, each culture has its unique behavior characteristics different from the others, there arises the urge and need to come up with various strategies which would enhance the integration of these diverse cultures in pursuit of co-existence. By so doing, multi-cultural psychology enhances globalization since individuals from all parts of the world would be made to intercalate and co-exist (Segall, Dasen, & Berry,