In the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (2010), Princ
ID: 3446815 • Letter: I
Question
In the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (2010), Principle E states in part, "Psychologists are aware of and respect cultural, individual, and role differences, including those based on age, gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, ..." What are ways that we can promote/uphold this principle in the field of psychology? Based on the article Dear White Boss, what are some of the inadvertent ways in which psychologists might discriminate against others (don't just focus on one area of discrimination)?
https://hbr.org/2002/11/dear-white-boss
Explanation / Answer
Psychologists need to be sensitive and understand the diversity issues and this can be enhance by training oneself. Developing effective communication skills is important which would be helpful in understanding individual differences and and have a clear perspective regarding how people from different cultures,ages,genders behave or react. Integrating the practice of multiculturalism in ones practice will help in reducing discrmination. A clients culture,age,gender,race etc all are very important to consider in therapy sessions and therefore psychologists should enroll themselves in workshops and educational programs to equip themselves with different cultural stereotypes and predjuces and lear. the skills to be able to carry out sessions accordingly. Never be judgmental and incase of confusion,a psychologist can always ask questions to the client during session to have a more clear understanding of their culture or gender identity. Racial discrimination is pervasive, and minorities regularly experience it in blatant ways (e.g., old fashioned racism) and subtle ways (e.g., microaggressions). The therapeutic relationship is unfortunately not immune to this problem, despite the best intentions of therapists who think they would never act in a racist manner. One example of this can be seen in the experience of race-based trauma, as many White therapists are dismissive of the impact of racism on their minority clients. These are typically therapists who ascribe to a colorblind approach as their method of choice for working with people who are culturally different. However, colorblind ideology is actually a form of racism , as it provides an excuse for therapists to remain ignorant of the cultures and customs of their non-White fellow human beings. Insensitive remarks can be particularly harmful to vulnerable clients, who may already feel stigmatized and exposed by even attempting therapy. No one is immune from the effects of the myriad of pathological stereotypes,not even psychologists that cast disadvantaged groups in a negative light. These are false or incorrect ideas attributed to members of a group, based on illogical reasoning and social status. Errors made by such therapists may be in the area of patronization, idealizing the client’s culture, and excusing dysfunctional behavior as culturally normative.