Feminist Therapy Key Terms

Question 1

What does Androcentric mean?

Answer 1

Using male-oriented constructs to draw conclusions about human, including female, nature.

Question 2

What is the definition of Deterministic?

Answer 2

Assumes that personality patterns and behavior are fixed at an early stage of development.

Question 3

What is an Egalitarian Relationship?

Answer 3

Power should be balanced in a relationship. In feminist therapy, the voices of the oppressed are acknowledged as authoritative and valuable sources of knowledge.

Question 4

What does Ethnocentrism refer to?

Answer 4

The idea that one’s cultural group is superior to others and that other groups should be judged based on one’s own standards.

Question 5

What is the Feminist Perspective?

Answer 5

Understanding the roles that women and men with diverse social identities and experiences have been socialized into, and integrating this understanding into therapy.

Question 6

What is Feminist Psychotherapy?

Answer 6

A philosophical orientation integrating feminist, multicultural, and social justice concepts with psychotherapy approaches. Focuses on wellness, resilience, and celebrating diverse strengths.

Question 7

What does Flexible Multicultural Perspective mean?

Answer 7

Uses concepts and strategies applicable to individuals and groups regardless of age, race, culture, gender, ability, class, or sexual orientation.

Question 8

What is Gendercentric?

Answer 8

The belief that there are two separate paths of development for women and men.

Question 9

What are Gender-Fair Approaches?

Answer 9

Explains differences in behavior of women and men based on socialization processes rather than innate natures, avoiding stereotypes.

Question 10

What does Gender-Neutral Theory explain?

Answer 10

Explains differences in the behavior of women and men in terms of socialization rather than fixed gender differences.

Question 11

What is Gender-Role Analysis?

Answer 11

Helps clients understand the impact of gender-role expectations in their lives.

Question 12

What does Gender-Role Intervention provide?

Answer 12

Provides clients with insight into how social issues affect their problems.

Question 13

What is a Gender Schema?

Answer 13

Organized sets of mental associations used to interpret perceptions about gender.

Question 14

What does Global/International Feminism address?

Answer 14

Takes a worldwide perspective, addressing sexism, racism, classism, and other issues affecting women globally.

Question 15

What does Heterosexist mean?

Answer 15

Views heterosexual orientation as normative and devalues same-sex relationships.

Question 16

What is the Interactionist perspective?

Answer 16

Specific to the thinking, feeling, and behaving dimensions of human experience, accounting for contextual and environmental factors.

Question 17

What does Intrapsychic Orientation attribute behavior to?

Answer 17

Attributes behavior to internal causes, often blaming the victim while ignoring sociocultural factors.

Question 18

What is the Life-Span Perspective?

Answer 18

Assumes human development is lifelong and personality patterns can change over time.

Question 19

What does Personal is Political mean?

Answer 19

Acknowledges that personal problems are rooted in social and political contexts. Therapy helps clients recognize this and take active roles in transforming society.

Question 20

Who are Postmodern Feminists?

Answer 20

Critique traditional and feminist approaches, proposing multiple truths instead of a single truth.

Question 21

What is Power Analysis?

Answer 21

Examines the differences in power between men and women, helping clients recognize and address how power dynamics affect their lives.

Question 22

What does Reframing involve?

Answer 22

Shifting from blaming the victim to considering social factors contributing to a client’s problem.

Question 23

What is Relabeling?

Answer 23

Changing a label or evaluation of a client’s behavior, focusing on a positive perspective.

Question 24

What does Relational-Cultural Theory suggest?

Answer 24

Suggests that identity and self-concept develop within relationships.

Question 25

What is Self-in-Relation?

Answer 25

The idea that a woman’s sense of self is deeply connected to how she relates to others.

Question 26

What does Social Action encourage?

Answer 26

Encourages clients to engage in activities (e.g., volunteering) to link personal experiences with social contexts.

Question 27

What is White Privilege?

Answer 27

The unearned advantages that White people enjoy, which are not extended to people of color.