CHAPTER 4 Microaggressions: Implications for Counseling and Psychotherapy

Question 1

define microaggression

Answer 1

everyday slights, indignities, putdowns, insults, and invalidations that marginalized group members experience in their day‐to‐day interactions with well‐intentioned people who often are unaware they have engaged in an offensive and demeaning manner

Question 2

define subtle sexism

Answer 2

“unequal and unfair treatment of women that is not recognized by many people because it is perceived to be normative, and therefore does not appear unusual” (similar to micro aggression but it is around gender)

THIS IS UNCONSCIOUS

Question 3

define aversive racism

Answer 3

possess negative feelings and beliefs about historically disadvantaged groups, which may be unconscious, but support racial equality

aka believing in racial equality but still holding up biases.

Question 4

define macroaggression

Answer 4

overarching umbrella that validates, supports, and enforces the manifestation of individual acts of racial microaggressions.

Question 5

what are the 3 kinds of microaggression

Answer 5

microassault, microinsult, and microinvalidation

Question 6

define microassault

Answer 6

blatant verbal, nonverbal, or environmental attack intended to convey discriminatory and biased sentiment

Question 7

what 3 things make it likely that a person will give overt discrimination

Answer 7

(a) when some degree of anonymity can be insured; (b) when they are in the presence of others who share or tolerate their biased beliefs and actions; or (c) when they lose control of their feelings and actions.

Question 8

define microinsult

Answer 8

unintentional behaviors or verbal comments that convey rudeness or insensitivity

a hidden message that is insulting

Question 9

define micro invalidation

Answer 9

verbal comments or behaviors that exclude, negate, or dismiss

Question 10

define racial battle fatigue or onlyness

Answer 10

psychoemotional burden of having to strategically navigate a racially politicized space occupied by few peers, role models, and guardians from one’s same racial or ethnic group

feeling alone in having to stand up for their race

Question 11

what is the most common micro aggression that therapists do to their client

Answer 11

expression of cultural stereotypes and avoidance of or minimization of cultural issues

Question 12

what are the 3 parts of the multicultural orientation (MCO) framework to help therapists deal with multiculturla issues

Answer 12

a) cultural humility, (b) cultural opportunities, and (c) cultural comfort.

Question 13

what 2 thigns does cultural humility make possible for a therapist

Answer 13

less likely to micro aggress
have better therapy outcomes

Question 14

what 5 thigns does a micro intervention do

Answer 14

everyday words or deeds, whether intentional or unintentional, that communicate to targets of microaggressions (a) validation of their experiential reality, (b) value as a person, (c) affirmation of their racial or group identity, (d) support and encouragement and (e) reassurance that they are not alone.”

Question 15

what are the 4 steps to a micro intervention

Answer 15

make the invisible visible (point it out)
disarm the microaggression (
educate the perp
seek external reinforcement or support

Question 16

how does one disarm a micro aggression

Answer 16

stopping or deflecting the comments or actions through expressing disagreement, challenging what was said or done, and/or pointing out its harmful impact (say OUCH!)

Question 17

how does one educate the perp

Answer 17

highlight the diffrent between intention and impact