Multicultural Psychology and Ethnic Minority - Research Paper Example

 Article Review 1. Multicultural Psychology: Bringing Together Gender and Ethnicity 2. Reflections on Ethnic Minority Psychology: Learning from Our Past so the Present Informs Our Future Abstract This paper makes a close examination of the weight of two contemporary articles on the study of social psychology. The first article Multicultural Psychology: Bringing Together Gender and Ethnicity (Reid, 2002), focuses on the significance of gender and ethnic concerns in the study of human behavior. The second one, Reflections on Ethnic Minority Psychology: Learning from Our Past so the Present Informs Our Future (Franklin, 2009), explores the historical milestones of the development of the ethnic minority psychology. The main objective of this paper is to identify the study variables, hypotheses/goals, and results of theses two articles. It will also evaluate how the findings of these works would affect the further experiments and practices. 1. Multicultural Psychology: Bringing Together Gender and Ethnicity The article tends to highlight the relevance of certain unexplored aspects of gender and ethnicity in psychological research and practice. Reid believes that the conventional studies were subject to some social constraints that impeded the understanding of the influence of contextual factors on human behavior. Gender is one of the significant factors that require further discussion in the subject area. As the author rightly puts it, ““Neither can research be deemed sufficient or appropriate without the inclusion and recognition of the impact of gender. Gender is as essential as ethnicity, social class, religion, sexuality or family background; none can operate in isolation from other factors or contexts” (Reid, 2002, p.104). The author also suggests that other than pursuing general perspective, gender study must assess how men and women behave in different contexts. The major focused segments in this study are ‘African American, Latinas, Asian Americans, and other women representing both an ethnic group and gender group’ (Reid, 2002, p. 104) because the writer believes that multicultural studies should evaluate the characteristics of gender and social class of various communities. Obviously, the study is a genuine effort to elaborate the arena of multicultural psychology in the changing socio-economic environment. Therefore, it would make reasonable response in the field and may benefit the future experiments and practices. The study would bring positive outcome to specific segments, especially to colored women and women of low income group. However, one implication is that past researches were of male chauvinists and white women that intended the subjugation of colored women (p.104). This argument flaws and seems to be an inappropriate opinion that reiterates the common feminist outlook. As the writer herself admits, ‘ethnic and racial designations are also undergoing change’ (Reid, 2002, p.111) and ongoing exploration is the inevitable part of every science. Hence, there is no reason to believe that inappropriate generalization was the result of any deliberate negligence. Instead, as the writer assumes sophisticated research strategies are to be initiated along with frequent evaluation of the effectiveness of the practices (Reid, 2002, p. 112). 2. Reflections on Ethnic Minority Psychology: Learning from Our Past In connection with psychology, a significant multicultural focus is laid on the history to estimate future challenges in any society. Franklin’s article flashes light into the perspective of a participant – observer visuals of history influencing a society’s stance, activism and contributions in association with psychology. A study in the field of psychology imprints a detailed figure of the future of ethnic minorities. It leads the way through discrimination and pejorative treatments prevailed in United States against the minorities. There is concern for the reaction to historic deficit orientation for ethnic minorities as a result of their cultural traits. The author admits that he considered “potential of psychology as a disciple to address social issues from a different perspective than the prevailing social science orientation” (Franklin, 2009, p. 417). Differences in vision are considered as the reason for psychology being identified the mint for character building. Psychological approach of any group is particularly needed as it helps in the easy access with emerging generations with multicultural movements. There are times when people were asked to vacate the seats for some superior race or were forced to occupy the last places in public vehicles. History recorded the names of thousands that had to sacrifice their lives in jail for merely daring to sit against the seat of a white. Some were thrown to fate in jail with barking German shepherd dogs to sniff and terrify the colored people. Today, conditions and life styles changed with improved scientific advancement in every field of human walk. Differential study of psychological impact of ethnicity and multiculturalism leads to embarking issues of racism against African - Americans, Asian Americans, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and Latinos of America. The indignities endured from prejudice and discrimination structured our outlook; living in the United State molded our psyche and impacted behavior in ways not fully known. Studying about behavior has been myopically viewed by many researchers because it is rather an idiosyncratic topic to discuss or debate on. Community life style and profession of a person ahs many things to play with his behavior as studies say. However, any study on human behavior on psychological background helps in clarifying a planning for grassroots’ preparation. Addressing specific psychological needs of ethnic communities evades the challenges likely for the growing infrastructure of any group. New approaches to managerial studies can be facilitated by initiating a mainstream flow of ‘multiculturalism’ to marginalize risks at scholarships and interventions. Thus for the betterment of a scholarship group, it is inevitable to study elements that support the behavioral schema. Ultimately, the focus applied on behavior study in purpose oriented peer groups towards an unquestioned equity among different communities must be the primary objective of any undertaking by a psychologist. References Franklin, A. J. (2009). Reflections on Ethnic Minority Psychology: Learning from Our Past so the Present Informs Our Future. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 15(4), 416-424. Reid, P. T. (2002). Multicultural Psychology: Brining Together Gender and Ethnicity. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 8 (2), 103-114. Read More