Issues in indigenous psychology Flashcards
How many Indigenous people are there within the population today and how many were there prior to 1770?
Today = 500 000 (half)
Prior 1770 = 1 million
How do Aboriginal people see their identity?
As part of a collective and connected to community and the land.
What reduced the numbers of Aboriginal people in Australia?
Massacres
Poisonings
Disease
Legislation (stolen generation)
What are two general types of policies set out by the legislation against indigenous people?
Protection
Assimilation
What is the definition of genocide?
Any acts committed with intent to destroy in part, a national, ethical, racial or religious group.
What acts are considered crimes of genocide?
> Killing members of the group;
Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group;
Conditions calculated to bring about its destruction
Imposing measures intended to prevent births;
Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.
What was the first Report of the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families?
The Bringing Them Home Report, 1997
Why is it important to consider how Indigenous people were treated?
To understand the origins of disadvantage and the impact of past traumas
What have been some of the of the impacts that the trauma of the stolen generation has caused?
psychological trauma inability to relate to others disconnection from family and community disruption: loss of parental and other significant role models poverty low-life expectancy high unemployment low education retention rates high incarceration rates dis-personalisation
What is the definition of oppression?
The imposition of one person’s (or group’s)
choice upon another
Social, Institutionalised or Systemic
Changes over time (old fashion vs modern racism)
What is meant by racism?
Society’s establishment and maintenance of a hierarchy of respectability, acceptability and power (favour of the in-group)
What are the 3 stages of victimisation?
traumatic events
discounting victim’s experiences
internalisation of society’s negative perception = trauma
What causes ambivalence in the identity of many Indigenous youth?
Pride
Shared Identity
Why has violence occurred intra-culturally?
Because they have not been able to act out frustration and anger against non- Aboriginal oppression there has been a transfer of that rage inwards
What should be considered when looking at abuse from people of the stolen generation?
Lack of parenting skills passed on (attachment)
Poor communication - told to be quiet
Abuse present in many family environments
How does attachment relate to the stolen generation?
Impacts bonding and the process of nurturing AND causes problems in forming trusting and stable relationships and parenting children
What disorder is common in the Indigenous community?
Mood disorders = Dysthymic depression (long-term)
Other than depression and attachment issues, what else should you be aware of due to high occurrences in Indigenous communities?
Substance abuse = dulling emotional pain Dual diagnosis often Grief issues Children with parents with PTSD FAS = Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Who have often been thought as, as ‘the real Aboriginals’?
Those with a ‘stronger sense of identity’
e.g. those who speak the language and live in remote areas.
What does shame have to do with Indigenous Psychology?
It is a social emotion characterised by a feeling of failure which creates distress and pain and is incredibly difficult to cope with
How may adaption be negative?
Violence, trauma and crisis become an accepted/ normalised part of life
What is typically (and negatively) seen as a common right of passage?
Jail = poor future aspirations
Why is abuse present in many family environments?
Parents have trauma
Transgenerational
Dysfunction traumatises subsequent generations
What is cultural competency?
understanding and being understood
What is ethnocentrism?
Using one’s own cultural values and standards to judge others
What types of interventions are used with Indigenous trauma patients?
CBT (Cognitive behavioural therapy)
Art Therapy
Drama
Narrative Therapy
If you are working with Indigenous people what should you do?
Be open to establishing relationships Don't use flashy terminology Don't have attitude/ be negative Be humble (know that you have very little cultural competency but you are willing to learn) Be aware of your own biases
