Psych of African American Experience Quiz #1 solutions 2025

African American Psychology (Baldwin definition, Azibo, and Jenkins) System of knowledge concerning perspectives of African Americans, concerning the study of behaviors, thoughts, feeling, beliefs, attitudes, and ways of interacting. Two different perspectives: Universal psychological concepts and theories applies to them, and psychology of people of African descent- African-centered approach. Azibo uses an African-Centered approach and Jenkins uses a humanistic approach/ people actively shaping their identity. African v. Western psychology Azibo explained that the essence of African Psychology is in the practice of Kemet people (Ancient Egypt), understanding humans through self-realizations. Western psych places the importance on observable behavior, aims to predict and control human behavior. Origins of African Psych Began in 3200BC in ancient Kemet where they produced an organized system of knowledge. In 1960s-70s, African American Psychologists began to write about African-centered psychology and Africantric worldview to understand African Americans. Aim to reveal limitations in Western Psych constructs and add to an understanding of psych theories and social constructions. Physical Anthropologists Late 18th and 19th century- comparing differences in physical attributes of Blacks and Whites (skin color, facial structure, skull shape/size, hair texture, posture). Link to anthropologists with the study of people using physiological differences. 1898-Cambridge anthropologist society sent to New Guinea to study mental attributes of residents. Galton's Eugenics Theory that intelligence and other personality attributes was inherited. Thought that you could improve race through selective mating and sterilization. Ethnic minorities were targeted. Darwin's Survival of the Fittest 1859- only the strongest or most intelligent could survive. Guthrie (1976/1998) explained that this theory greatly influenced American Psychology by emphasizing individual differences which is an assumption that underlies much of psychological work. Natural selection- how traits are passed on with genetics. Scientific racism Wanted to prove the intellectual inferiority of African Americans. Used as a way to justify 1800 slave trade/ horrific treatment of African Americans. Also for breeding purposes- for what is valuable for the workforce. Intelligence tests Alfred Binet (1904)- Simon-Binet scale, used in 1912. Two factor theory of intelligence (Spearman)- general (intellectual capacity) v. Specific (context/cultural). — Emphasizes the general intellectual capacity while deemphasizing other mental attributes that may be more contextual or culturally specific. 1916- Ferguson published a study that explained that African Americans had deficits in abstract thinking but were capable in sensory and motor abilities. Perpetuated the myth of Black inferiority. Western Psychology (American) Focus on self-esteem and used comparative studies. Individualism, objectivism, control of nature, and materialism. Also thought that the best way to study African Americans was by comparison studies and through experiments. African Psychology best way to study is through interviewing and systematic observations. Epistemology (ways of thinking) : Collectivism, subjectivism, harmony with nature, and spiritualism. Comparative studies Used by western psych in early 20th century to study African Americans, compared Black people to white norm. Suggested that there is a 'normal' group. Inherently biased. Instead, look within group for differences. Constructivist v. Deconstructionist The way to jumpstart the African American psych field was that they had to take a deconstructionist approach which was in reaction to/ a critique of the flaws of the studies done by western psych about Black people/ but in doing so, they still placed some value on that system. (The BITCH test- Robert Williams- illustrated cultural bias in testing) Then they were able to take a more constructionist approach where they could take out the very premise used in Western psych. (Discard the intelligence tests altogether). The Association of Black Psychologists Began in 1968- focus on Black psychology. Provides training and support to African American psychology students. Promotes professional development through scholarships, against culturally biased tests, promote health measures, aide in the diaspora. began around the time of the Black Power movement. Influential people in Black Psych Joseph white- 1970 Ebony article entitled "Towards a Black Psychology", advocate for black psychology defined by black people. Francis C. Sumner- father of black psych, first African American to receive his PhD in psychology (1920). Inez Beverly Prosser- first Black woman to earn her PhD in Psych. Mamie and Kenneth Clark- Doll studies (published in 1930s-40s), about racial preferences among Black children showing that segregation led to low self-esteem. Used in Brown v. Board of Edu case (1954). William Cross-Model of racial and ethnic identity/ Nigrescence model. Reginald Jones- 1st published book on Black psych James Jones- Study prejudice and racism. Different types of racism= institutional, individual, and cultural. Janet Helms- Multiracial counseling, race relations, and racial identity theory and development. Racial Attitude Identity Scale. Margaret Beale Spencer- help in understanding development of African American children and adolescents. Issue of identity, resiliency, and adaptive development. Afrocentric Psychologists- 1970s, educating people on importance of understanding African Philosophy as a basis for understanding African American psychology. What is a core premise of African American Psychology? The consideration that must be given to understanding the values, culture, and ways of being of a group of people. African American African descent, African slaves brought to the US Black Descent from other areas of the world, not Africa. Conflate Two similar things, label someone as something even if they don't identify that way. Phenotypes Influence how we assign people to different racial categories. Diachotomies- Afrocentric approach Psychology is assumed to be universal where there's the assumption that one sample can be attributed to a whole population. Afrocentric approach- ask about the subjective experience. African philosophy where it's important to consider cultural differences and consider experiences of people of African descent. African Psychology v. Black Psychology African psych- may not be shared philosophy of people of African descent living in the US. Focus on defining psychological experiences from African perspective (consists of African values, ways of assessing knowledge, ways of defining reality, ways of governing and interpreting behavior, social relations, and designing environments to sustain healthy, adaptive functioning among people of African descent. Address mental health needs of people of African descent from self-empowering perspective. Black psych- unique appreciation for experiences of Black Americans. 2 dimensions are the methodology used (more liberal-more conservative) and the role of African sensibilities (Afrocentric approaches). Interpersonal thoughts One's attitudes, beliefs, values, and expectations. Interpersonal behaviors One's interactions with others. Afrocentric worldview foundation Based in worldview of African peoples. Values, beliefs, behavior of indigenous people of Africa and those in the diaspora who share in this cultural heritage. Afrocentricity (Asante 2003) An attitude and actions that promote the well-being of people of African descent. African American Psychologists and African-centered psych Joseph White: Early work challenged the use of traditional theories and frameworks to study African Americans. Reshape thinking of how African Americans should be studied- not with western models. Asa Hilliard:Developed systems for testing African American children and consulted with school systems that were challenging these systems to eliminate testing bias against African American children. Wade Nobles: Work on African philosophy, model of extended self related to racial identity. Na'im Akbar: Effects of oppression on African Americans/ many mental illnesses in African Americans due to attempts to function within oppressive and alien environment. Alien-self disorder and anti-self disorder. Three perspectives: Eurocentric, Black, and African. Kobi K.k. Kambon (Joseph Baldwin): Distinguished African-centered and non-African centered theories of African personality. developed African self-consciousness scale (how African Americans feel about African or African American culture and societal issues that are related to racism. Linda James Myers: Promoting social change for all oppressed groups/ promote an appreciation of human diversity by encouraging an investigation of both human behavior and social roles such as gender and ethnicity. Cultural Misorientation Condition that drives African people to engage in anti-Black, racially disempowering and self-destructive behaviors. African Philosophy- definition Don't make general statements about all Africans. Discuss topic in terms of how an African might come to know how knowledge is acquired from their wise elders. Includes Africentric worldview dimensions. Africentric dimensions- beliefs, attitudes, and worldview that come from people of African descent. Spirituality: relationship between transcendent forces and humans that results in individuals recognition of sacredness of all things that is central to their lives. Role of ancestors important in their lives. Collectivism: Reinforces interdependence and cooperation, motivation to work together for survival of the group/ tribe. Strong commitment to the family, extended family, and fictive kin (not related biologically or through marriage). Competition within group members is minimized. Direct messages and interventions at group. Time orientation: African culture is past, present, and future oriented/ it's cyclical. Whereas Western culture is future oriented/linear so that's why they think that African Americans don't have a good sense of time management. Orality: Stories told through generations/ oral traditions. Sensitivity to affect and emotional cues: Acknowledges the emotional and affective states of self and others.Consideration of others/role of empathy. Verve and Rhythm: Behavior that's rhythmic and creative/ inherent in the pattern in life which is present in creativity, movement, speech, behavior. Verve is Improv and simultaneous. Balance and harmony with nature: For one's well-being, one must have balance between one's mental, physical, and spiritual states to live in harmony with nature. Acculturation: degree to which a minority culture adopts values and customs of majority culture. Affects the extent to which African Americans have assimilated to the Eurocentric worldview. Use of African-centered research with African Americans 1. Examined differences between African Americans and Euro Americans on Africentric worldview dimensions. 2. Examined relationship between Africentric worldview and other psychological sociological variables. How Africentric worldview is measured? African self-consciousness scale (Baldwin): Assess dimensions of Black personality/ oneness of being that is reflected in an extension of self and a communal orientation. Asante Afrocentricity scale: Three main dimensions- cultural centeredness, spirituality, Afrocentric epistemology. The communalism scale: Assess the Africentric dimension of communalism/ how connected one feels to others in their family, community, other environments. Africentrism based on the principles of Nguzo Saba: Set of guidelines and value system for healthy living that African Americans should strive to live by (Unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, faith). Africentric value scale for children: Assess Africentric values following an Africantric-based program designed to infuse Africentric values among youth (3 factors: collective work, responsibility, cooperative economics, and self-determination). Africentric home environment inventory: assesses racial socialization of the home. Self-concept Beliefs and knowledge about the self. Conceptualization of the self depends on culture and socialization (collective v. Individualistic)/ People of African descent have interdependent conceptualizations of self so that one's own goals might be in relation to collective groups. In relation to nationality, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, health status, and racial and ethnic identity. self-schema Cognitive representation of the self, how we process info about the self and others. Self-esteem One's affective or emotional reaction toward and feeling about oneself that is also evaluative. Social identity Part of an individual's self-concept that is derived from his or her membership in and adherence to the values associated with that culturally defined social group. Racial identity A form of social identity as it is socially constructed- being a member of a defined social group, assumptions/stereotypes come with it to show us what it means to be in a certain group. In-group (the group you identify with/ affiliate with others who are like us/ tend to feel better about in group than out group) v. Outgroup (everyone else). Racial identity are the physical differences based on social concept of race. Ethnic identity Lineage, descent, nationality of origin. Involvement in the cultural practices and activities of a particular ethnic group and by positive attitudes toward, attachment to, and feelings of belonging to that group. Not static, changes throughout the lifespan. Acculturation Individuals group level changes in behaviors, attitudes, and values that take place over time as two or more cultural groups come into contact. Racial socialization Process involving messages and behaviors about race that parents or other members of a person's social context transmit to children. Historical Perspectives on Black Self-concept Described as having negative self-concept and tendency to self-denigrate as result of inferior statues in US. Impact of oppression- Brown v. Board of edu care that showed that segregation affected edu, doll studies. Function of racial self-concept and can be influenced by oppression, discrimination and inferior status in society. ideas formed through media and experiences in society. But minority statues does not necessarily dictate negative self-concept. Contemporary Models of Black Self-concept Nobles: Model of extended self related to racial identity. One's self-concept is closely aligned with racial identity and one's sense of connection and identification with members of his or her racial group. Self-concept will be high if racial identity is high. Jenkins: Model fo self as an agent of change, Humanistic and empowering model. Self is an active agent even under conditions of oppression choose to not adopt or endorse negative characteristics. Identity development Begins at birth and continues through life. Young children's understanding of ethnicity and race is derived from the family and community. Erik Erikson- psychological stage theory. Marcia (1966,1980)- Adolscence and identity theory Four stages of identity development- linear/one dimension, universal/any identity. 1. Diffusion: Status to which individual hasn't explored or developed understanding of identity. 2. Foreclosure: Clarity about ethnicity but have not explored this aspect of their self-concept. 3. Moratorium: There's an on-going exploration of identity but no specific commitment to identity. pause in the decision-making process. 4. Achievement: Reflecting the exploration of and commitment to an identity. Cross-Nigrescence models of racial identity Nuanced- can have secure identity without being an activist. Not fixed or set as model originally says/ can start out at different stages. Other influences might dictate where you begin. Forward and backward movement-may lay between 2 stages. No need to progress through set order. Include a lifespan perspective on racial identity. Racial identity scale. 1. Pre-encounter: Before you have contact with different culture (white culture)/ absorbed dominant stereotypes- seek to assimilate with white and distance themselves from Blacks. Haven't tried to reconcile Black culture. 2. Dissonance (Encounter): When actions/ behavior goes against your beliefs. Something happens that makes you question primary scheme, result of social rejection/ discrimination or mistreatment. 3. Immersion (into Black culture) and emersion (out of white culture). New way of thinking and new identity that incorporates being Black. 4. Internalization: Settled with new identity, not anti a certain group- feeling as integral part of Black group but understand value in other groups. Internalize new identity/ resolve conflict between old and new identity. 5. Internalization-commitment: Actually act/ work towards liberation of all oppressed people. Robert Sellers- Multidimensional Model of Racial Identity (MMRI) Can be applied to any racial group. Doesn't account for intra-group differences/ so doesn't always account for all cultures. Four dimensions 1. Salience: extent to which individuals emphasize races as an important dimension of self-concept at specific point in time. Depends on specific time and context/ circumstance of how noticeable/meaningful your racial identity is./ how it is more or less relevant to you. 2. Centrality: Event that race is core to an individual's self-concept and how they normally define themself. How central your race is to your core definition of yourself. 3. Ideology: four different sets of beliefs and attitudes. - nationalist: importance and uniqueness of being of African descent. Black nationalist/ high in African sensibilities. -oppressed minority: oppression (experiences of discrimination) and commonalities with other oppressed groups. - assimilationist: commonalities between African Americans and the rest of African society. -humanist: commonalities of all humans. 4. Regard: Can be positive or negative (presence or absence of African worldview. -Public= what I believe others believe about my racial group-Involves both the individuals' feelings about group membership. -Private= your own feelings about your racial group- involves their sense of others' evaluations and feelings about their group. Strong Black Woman (SBW) stereotype/ belief/ phenomenon Idea of pre-constructed labels is that if you feel that you aren't being represented in those nuances than it'll effect your self-esteem because your identity is invisible. Thought that she embodies both masculine and feminine characteristics. been seen as a positive but literature shows that it has more negative psych consequences, Endorsing is different than embodying/not always good. Produces cognitive dissonance-how to be both masculine and feminine where she's either too independent or too needy. Not always a good thing to self-esteem. Social learning theory Our behavior is a function of that which we are exposed to, take on behavior from important agents in our world. Media identification See them as representing US involvement/ how much we are exposed or are interacting with ourselves in media. Negative impact of the media on self and identity. Images of African Americans portrayed in the media are based on negative stereotypes that perpetuates society's pejorative view of African Americans. Perceived Realism If you feel images in media represent reality, then you'll be more effected by it. Mere exposure theory Just exposed to content is enough to model it. Short-lived effects. Cumulation theory Multiple exposures, each have small gradual effects. Drench Hypothesis One particularly vivid image that drowns out all others. One single event can shatter one's view of something/ affects one's overall perspective. Cultivation theory Small seeds planted over long time that affects perspective. Expectation is that, over time, repeated exposure to the media's consistent images gradually leads viewers to accept those portrayals as representations of reality. Media priming effect Not just content of media itself that has an effect, ties into pre-existing beliefs/biases. Multiple Oppressed identity experiences even worse, identity under (subordinate) to other identity. Additive/double jeopardy. Subordination Presumes that you are under and should follow orders. Beneath/ lower/ take backseat to/ less desirable. Might have one or multiple subordinate identities/ disadvantaged in multiple ways. Sexual Identity Used to describe LGBTQ identity development, first stage may be that they have beliefs about the superiority of heterosexuality/ internalization stage may have acceptance and support for all types of diversity/ committed stage where a blending of sexuality and emotional into a significant whole, believing and feeling that a gay identity is valid and not inferior to heterosexual identity, initiating and maintaining relationships with same-sex partners, and disclosure to the public. African Americans who are LGBTQ must contend with the values and expectations of the communities in which they live and work. Conflicting identities because they have two stigmatized identities. Immediate Family Idea that all live in the same household. Definition of family/ Black family Social group characterized by a common residence, economic cooperation, and reproduction. A small, kinship structured group with the key function of providing nurturance and socialization of the newborn. Family network includes biological relations and nonbiological members Black family (Hill) is defined as a household related by blood or marriage or function that provides basic instrumental and expressive functions to its members. Extended family A network of functionally related individuals who reside in different households. Increase in intergenerational households/grandparents taking care of kids to pass stories on/ ancestral importance/keepers of knowledge. Augmented family A family group where extended families and/or no relatives live with and provide significant care to one or more children. Extended and immediate formed household working together to care for children. Fictive kin Members of the family who are not biologically related nor related through marriage but who feel as if they were family, and function like family. How has slavery impacted the Black family? Mother-child relationship is stronger. Communities helped each other raise the children because the single mother families that the selling of slaves made. Families not often kept as units because of how they were sold. Primary responsibility as slave= worker so your biological children aren't supposed to be your primary concern. Often raised by older individuals. Marriage was not legally recognized. This impacted social welfare policies where supposedly the government is concerned with the well being of people so government and society has collective responsibility to society members/ allocation of resources. But the catch is that the assistance is only made available to female-headed household because it's based on the social assumption that men are primary providers so only in their absence will the government help. So the cycle is that the men realize that they won't be paid or given many benefits with their jobs in society because of racial violence, so for the survival of the family the men were encouraged to leave their family. So in 70s and 80s, there was an increase in single mother households- this was conflated with poverty. Number of incomes/ lower incomes based on racial/gender identity- given the types of jobs based on stereotypes. Transracial adoption The adoption of children of one race by parents of a different race. There are worries that that child might lose their racial identity/ history, culture and that might have negative effects on racial socialization (how child won't learn about race or their own race) and the nigrescence model (most comfortable when beliefs aren't challenged socialize based on our own experiences). So worry that parents of different race won't be able to socialize child of different race. Other argument for the adoption- racial stereotypes are dissipated/ change in parents' biases. Humanists think that that emphasizes similarities in other ways other than race. Three types of kinship care Informal, formal, and legal guardianship/adoption.