PSYC-561 Cultural Issues in Psychological Practice

Question 1

Acculturation

Answer 1

Minority cultures imitate majority culture by adopting certain majority culture aspects

adapting various aspects of the majority culture into their culture. This can also be seen in the reverse, with majority culture adapting certain aspects of the minority culture. Still keep aspects of old culture, while adopting features of the new cultures. Acculturation can lead to conflicts within families, as children are more likely to acculturate faster than adults.

Question 2

ADDRESSING model

Answer 2

framework that facilitates recognition and understanding of the complexities of individual identity

Age
Disability at birth
Disability acquired 
Religion 
Ethnicity
Socioeconomic status 
Sexual orientation 
Indeginous population membership
Nation of origin 
Gender (Pronouns)

Question 3

Assimilation

Answer 3

Interpreting new experiences in terms of one’s existing schemas

cultural-
a process by which members of an ethnic minority group lose cultural, social, and psychological characteristics that distinguish them from the dominant cultural group and forsake thier own culture.

Question 4

Bicultural

Answer 4

Having an identity that includes aspects of two different cultures

typically seen with one’s heritage culture and the culture of the country or region in which one has settled. Maintaining biculturality can be difficult if the majority culture is pressuring for assimilation.

It is applicable not only to immigrants who have come from other countries, but also to children of immigrants who - although they are born and raised in the receiving society - are likely deeply embedded in the heritage culture at home with their families

Question 5

Collectivism

Answer 5

Giving priority to the goals of one’s group and defining one’s identity accordingly

a philosophic, political, economic or social outlook that emphasizes the interdependence of every human in some collective group and the priority of group goals over individual goals; a way of life in some cultures in which the group is the primary unit, not the individual. The needs and interests of individuals are sacrificed in order to meet the needs of the group as a whole. This philosophy is prominent in Eastern cultures. It is in strong contrast to the prevailing sentiment in the United States, which is individualism.

When counseling someone from a collectivist background, the therapist must be careful not to force their own individualistic viewpoint.

Question 6

Coming out process

Answer 6

Process of openly showing homosexual orientation

This process includes a many steps that a person must go through before they commit to the final step of being fully out. Not everyone goes through the same process or the same steps, and need to feel good about who they are and where they stand in terms of thier sexuality.

Positives: building self esteem, building more genuine relationships, and being a role model to others.
Negatives: rejection, harassment, discrimination, and loss of social support.
A therapist must be very careful in counseling someone who is thinking about coming out, and should make certain that they have considered all the possible consequences.

Question 7

Cross’s Model of Racial Identity

Answer 7

Developed by W.E. Cross

1. Pre-Encounter: assimilating to majority culture

individual is focused on assimilating to the majority culture and devalue their own culture

2. Encounter: Challenges assimilation beliefs

some significant event occurs which challenges their beliefs., and the individual has a paradigm shift away from acculturation/assimilation.

3. Immersion-Emersion: Transition from majority to minority culture

individual pulls away from majority culture and immerses themselves into their culture. The individual feels intense pride in culture and is outwardly angry and rejecting towards majority culture.

4. Internalization: Accepting of both majority and minority cultures

transcends and reconcile, and become flexible and tolerant. They are more focused on social justice and civil rights.

Question 8

Cultural competence

Answer 8

Understanding the various influence of culture on a person’s behavior and interactions; Can be defined in three different areas; Awareness, Knowledge, and Skill.

Awareness includes knowing one’s own culture, views, biases, and comfort levels of various backgrounds.

Knowledge refers to the therapist’s knowledge of the cultural group both currently and historically, along with any barriers that group of people may have faced

skill refers to implementing culturally appropriate interventions and appropriately giving and receiving information in terms of the cultural background.

Cultural competence is not something that can be learned one time, but is instead a lifelong process in which therapists must remain continually engaged.

Question 9

Cultural relativism

Answer 9

The principle that an individual human’s beliefs and activities should be interpreted in terms of his or her own culture.

It is important to note that cultural values and world views influence the expression and determination of deviant behavior, which makes paying attention to relativism so important.

Some psychologists focus on an individual’s culture and how the disorder they have is manifested and treated within it.

In some cultures, it is more acceptable to express psychological complaints in physical terms. In other cultures, it is not considered abnormal to experience hallucinations.

Question 10

Cultural racism

Answer 10

assumption of the inferiority of one or more races is embraced by the culture of a given society.

those aspects of society that overtly and covertly attribute value and normality to a group and devalue, stereotype, and label people of another group as “other,” different, less than, or render them invisible.

Examples of these norms include defining white skin tones as nude or flesh colored

Question 11

Cultural universality

Answer 11

view that the concepts of normality and abnormality can universally be applied, regardless of culture.

The assumption that a fixed set of mental disorders exists whose manifestations and symptoms are similar across cultures

Proponents of this view believe that culturally diverse individuals do not need treatments to be adjusted for them, but can be treated just the same as an individual from a Western culture.

Most of the standards of practice currently in use assume cultural universality.

Question 12

Culture

Answer 12

this is a set of shared customs, beliefs, values, goals and practices that are common to or characterize a specific group

Frequently culture has a significant influence on one’s sense of identity, and to understand the client’s internal frame of reference the counselor must understand their culture.

Question 13

Culture bound

Answer 13

Refers to when behaviors are linked to a specific culture. tied to a specific group of people and their values and beliefs.

Certain syndromes and disorders may be culture bound, as well as certain treatments.
A counselor must be careful not to diagnose something that is considered normal in a culture as a disorder, and also must be sure to be aware of disorders that occur only in specific cultures.

Values can be culture bound as well, such as emotional expressiveness, insight, and self-disclosure

Question 14

Emic

Answer 14

An EMIC perspective takes multicultural considerations into account with diagnoses

Multicultural view

Question 15

Ethnicity

Answer 15

an identity based upon a presumption of shared history and common cultural inheritance.

a social construct, rather than a biological concept, that refers to an individual’s unique cultural heritage and social characteristics. Ethnicity may include values, language, cultural symbols, and behavior patterns.

A therapist should consider a client’s ethnicity when counseling them, as they may have different cultural values and beliefs than the therapist as a result of their ethnicity.

Question 16

Ethnocentrism

Answer 16

belief that one’s culture or ethnicity is superior to everyone else’s culture or ethnicity.

Ethnocentrism becomes a problem when the dominant culture is ethnocentric and attempts to assimilate all other cultures into it. The therapist must be careful not to perpetuate any ethnocentrism in their practice.

Question 17

Etic

Answer 17

traditional perspective of disorder presentation without multicultural considerations

One culture approach

Question 18

Eurocentric monoculturalism

Answer 18

Preference for European cultural traditions in American life

The focusing on European culture or history to the exclusion of a wider view of the world; implicitly regarding European culture as preeminent. Mono-culturalism refers to the promotion of a single homogeneous culture without diversity or dissension

Question 19

Filial piety

Answer 19

In Confucian thought, one of the virtues to be cultivated, a love and respect for one’s parents and ancestors (take care of parents into adulthood)

Asian/Confucian concept in which a child honors/respects parents. Based on a mutual contract; a prominent virtue in Asian society put forth by Confucius, this is the belief that the children should submit to and take care of their parents, even after they become adults. Children are expected to strive for family goals and to not engage in behaviors that would bring dishonor to the family.

Therapists must take this into consideration when counseling Asian Americans, who are more likely to put their parents’ needs and wishes above their own in a way that would be considered dysfunctional in a Western family.

Question 20

Individualism

Answer 20

A social theory favoring freedom of action for individuals over collective or state control

the philosophic, political, economic or social outlook that emphasizes the independence and worth of every human and the priority of individual goals; Is the view that the Western world embraces that focuses on the autonomy of the individual and promoting freedom of action for the individual over the collective. From this view people are considered “good” if they are strong, self-reliant, assertive and independent.

Question 21

Institutional racism

Answer 21

Patterns of discrimination based on ethnicity that have become structured into existing social institutions

Prejudice, discrimination, and other negative treatment by an institution based on a person or group’s race; a system of inequality based on race. It can occur in institutions such as public gov’t bodies, schools, banks, and courts of law. This term was introduced by Carmichael and Hamilton. Institutional racism amounts to the collective failure of an organization to provide an appropriate and professional service to people because of their color, culture, or ethnic origin

Question 22

Microaggression

Answer 22

An indirect, subtle or unintentional discrimination against members of a marginalized group

the everyday verbal, nonverbal, and behavioral slights, snubs, or insults, which communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative messages to target persons based solely upon their marginalized group membership.

Can be intentional or unintentional. Can also be seen in tolerating oppression from others.

Can be split into three categories;
microinsult,
microassault, and
microinvalidation.

Question 23

Minority

Answer 23

A racial or ethnic group which differs from the dominant culture

including but not limited to culture, race, sexual orientation, or country of origin. Being a member of a minority in a mono-cultural society often puts one at a significant disadvantage.

Therapists may not understand a minority group member’s unique experiences and must be open to learning about it from that member.

Question 24

Multicultural competencies

Answer 24

Ability of therapist to understand the various influence of culture on a person’s behavior and interactions

Multicultural awareness = awareness in understanding her own culture and how she views other people’s culture, and how her beliefs have shaped her worldview.

Multicultural knowledge = educating herself on other cultures, how society views those cultures, the discrimination or oppression of certain groups, and how to effectively communicate with those outside of her own culture.

Multicultural skills = expertise that a therapist already has but using a cultural worldview to adapt learned skills to new demographic groups. She must continue educating herself through workshops, retreats, continuing education programs, etc. that influence cultural competency.

Question 25

Multicultural counseling

Answer 25

Counseling framework in which the therapist defines goals and uses treatments that are consistent with an individual’s cultural values

therapist must recognize that their values may not be the same as that of their culturally diverse client, but that does not give them the right to pressure their client to accept their values.

The therapist must also recognize some behaviors considered deviant in Western society are not considered deviant in the culture of their clients.

Question 26

Multicultural perspective in counseling

Answer 26

This perspective recognizes the differences among and within clients and how their cultures may impact their values

offers counselors a holistic, culturally inclusive, and integrative approach that recognizes how people are similar and different at the same time

this perspective recognizes the differences among and within clients and how their cultures may impact their values.

According to this perspective, a counselor must maintain awareness of their own cultural biases and values in order to prevent them from interfering with interactions with culturally diverse clients.

Counselors are also responsible for cultivating knowledge about different cultures and skills that are useful with culturally diverse clients.

Question 27

Oppression

Answer 27

Prolonged cruel or unjust treatment or control usually focusing on a minority group

The dominant culture frequently will use its power to marginalize, silence, and otherwise subordinate other cultures.

Cultural oppression may occur without the oppressor realizing it; in light of this, the therapist must take steps to be very aware of any ways they may be oppressive to culturally diverse clients

Question 28

Pluralism

Answer 28

A state in which people of all races and ethnicities are distinct but have equal social standing

These groups may interact with each other without conflict or assimilation. In order for this to occur, the dominant culture must recognize the importance of other cultures

Question 29

Poverty and Mental Illness

Answer 29

Individuals in poverty have a 2-3x more likelihood of developing mental illness

self-reinforcing cycle of poverty linked with greater rates of mental illness, and in some cases, certain kinds of mental illness seem linked to a greater likelihood of living in poverty.

Living in poverty for any significant length of time increases many risk factors for physical and mental health problems.

Question 30

Race

Answer 30

A group of human beings distinguished by physical traits, blood types, genetic code patterns or genetically inherited characteristics

group sharing some outward physical characteristics and some commonalities of culture and history

Question 31

Racial Identity Development Model

Answer 31

1. Conformity: depreciating of own culture
2. Dissonance and Appreciation: conflict btw perceptions of self/ethnic group and submission to dominant group
3. Resistance and Immersion: negative attitude towards dominant culture and positive towards own)
4. Introspection: negotiation of positive self-identity separate from both minority and majority culture
5. Integrative Awareness: Positive attitude toward own culture, and selective acceptance of dominant culture

Question 32

White privilege

Answer 32

set of advantages and/or immunities that white people benefit from on a daily basis beyond those common to all others.

can exist without white people’s conscious knowledge of its presence and it helps to maintain the racial hierarchy in this country.

1. Having the power to define reality
2. Having unconscious biases towards people of color
3. Deceiving oneself that they are not prejudiced
4. Ignoring the impact of whiteness on minorities

Question 33

White racial identity development

Answer 33

This is a stage theory developed by Helms.

1) Contact: individual lacks awareness of cultural and institutional racism and of white priv. Naive curiosity about or fear of people of color based on stereotypes from friends/fam/media. May limit their interactions w people of color.
2) Disintegration: guilt and shame at recognition of their own advantages of being white - may try to convince themselves racism doesn’t exist - avoid people of color and topic of race.
3) Reintegration: Become more identified with white ideology/identity. Generally become defensive about being white and anger directed toward those of color who the individual blames as source of discomfort.
4) Pseudo-independent: usually move to this stage following an eye-opening experience; characterized by self-examination through exploration of information about other cultures, racism, etc. though these explorations are still within a white framework. Seek affiliation with people of color, though more intellectual than affective awareness.
5) Immersion/emersion: introspection on own view points on race and what it means to be white. Focus becomes changing majority beliefs/attitudes. Increased experiential/affective understanding. Can lead to the “rebirth” necessary to become nonracist
6) Autonomy: Awareness of whiteness with a reduced sense of guilt; Knowledgeable about differences and committed to social change. Not afraid of encounters and seeks out/values interracial experiences.

Question 34

Worldview

Answer 34

A person’s view of the world, consisting of the set of beliefs on which he bases his life

this refers to the framework of ideas and beliefs through which an individual interprets the world and interacts with it; a set of assumptions about reality that have powerful influences on one’s thoughts and behavior.

A worldview, whether religious or nonreligious, is personal insight about reality and meaning.

A person uses their worldview to interpret and interact with the world around them.

Worldviews encompass views on many different issues, including death, the meaning of life, and the purpose of the individual.

Different cultures frequently have different worldviews, which can influence the interaction between the therapist and the client

Question 35

Counseling relevant cultural issues: African americans

Answer 35

Important to note where they are in their racial identity, as they may react negatively to a white therapist.
Important to note how they identify with AA culture vs White majority culture.
Note their opinions and reactions about treatment, as they may be distrustful of authority figures due to higher criminal justice issues.
Be conscious of their economic issues and academic issues as well. It is important to establish an equal therapeutic relationship.
Family is important. Faith is important.
Less likely to seek treatment and more likely to terminate early.
Reported trauma lower in this population, higher rates of PTSD.
See many issues related to their world view and experiences and pain of oppression.

Question 36

Counseling relevant cultural issues: Hispanic/Latinos

Answer 36

Strong family unit, “Familiso,” with traditional hierarchy- authority given to elderly, parents and males.
Focus more on how issues affect family rather than affect individual, try and do family therapy.
Sex roles clearly defined, with dominant men and submissive women.
Religion is important.
Take into consideration acculturation status, bilingualism and language barriers, academic issues, and possible undocumented status, with all these related stressors.
Multiple cultural bound disorders.
Seen more as a professional, so short explanation of work important.
Be cognizant of racism and cultural issues.
Keep communication respectful and warm, with attention to the hierarchy.

Question 37

Counseling relevant cultural issues: native americans

Answer 37

Be cognizant of and recognize history of oppression.
Must be open, honest, transparent, and genuine to gain trust.
Allow them choices, and look at both positives and negatives.
Make sure to remember each tribe has own heritage, avoid stereotyping.
Biggest issues tend to be substance abuse, domestic abuse, and a variety of health problems. Take into account their level of acculturation with the dominant culture.
Some culture bound disorders to remember. Collaborate with chief and/or healer if possible. Reluctant to seek outside help due to distrust, barriers include trust, sociocultural factors, limited resources, clinician’s culture.
Keep in mind their SES, many live in extreme poverty.
Remember they are underrepresented in samples. Silence is important, little eye contact.
Explore emotions cautiously and avoid spiritual topics until rapport is built.
Humor/story use is helpful.
Group treatment fits well with worldview.
Advocacy as part of treatment.
Encourage social interaction.

Question 38

Counseling relevant cultural issues: LGBT

Answer 38

Be aware of your own beliefs on this community.
Be aware of how they identify and what they prefer to be called, both gender and sexuality.
Be aware of where they are in terms of how comfortable with their sexuality and where they are in the coming out process.
Common disorders include depression, anxiety, etc. Higher rates of suicide and bullying in schools, even with the increasing positive atmosphere regarding sexual orientation.
High rates of homelessness and drug use. Intersectionality important to consider.
Important to create a safe space with an atmosphere of understanding and acceptance and use gender neutral language (including in assessments).
Remember the issue at hand may have nothing to do with sexual orientation. ***
Make sure to know community support systems and programs.
Be open to helping the parents as well as the individual.
If aiding in the coming out process, ensure the individual is ready for every possible reaction before suggesting they come out.

Question 39

Counseling relevant cultural issues: Asian

Answer 39

Very private, see emotionality as weakness and keep it to themselves.
Emotions, desires, behaviors, and individual goals are often kept under control.
Collectivist orientation, not individualistic.
Autonomy and independence are not necessarily treatment goals.
What appears to be co-dependency may just be cultural values (filial peity).
Non touch oriented.
Patriarchal and authoritarian parenting style. Males and older individuals have priority status.
With family therapy determine structure and communication patterns among members.
Build rapport by discussing confidentiality. Determine the relationship between physical complaints and emotional issues, as many emotional issues present as physical complaints. Agreeableness and compliance may be mistaken for passive acceptance rather than coping mechanism.
Use problem focused time-limited approaches. Always include family issues.
Address possible cultural conflicts.
Focus on positive assets.
Least responsive to groups may be due to the sense of violation of privacy.
Common to give gifts.

Question 40

Counseling relevant cultural issues: Arab

Answer 40

Patriarchal and family centric, hierarchical by age and gender.
Attend to and emphasize family members/connections.
Do not set individuation from family as primary goal. Make sure to learn about dating/marriage practices. Do not assume Arab women are oppressed.
Social status very important.
High levels of mistrust with authorities due to recent politics.
Determine extent to which political events or oppression affect client’s difficulties/functioning.
Be open to discussing cultural differences.
Common to give gifts and may be asked to visit client’s home.
Be willing to contact a reluctant family member.
Arab clients will expect detailed advice or directions and revere the counselor as an expert and expect them to make decisions.
Don’t use jargon - speak clearly/directly.
Tend to be here and now rather than future oriented.
Education about mental illness.

Question 41

Counseling relevant cultural issues: Physically disabled

Answer 41

Make sure the office is ADA accessible and is capable of meeting all needs.
Refer to person as someone with a disability.
Match therapy with client’s model of disability and work from there.
Identify personal beliefs and understand prejudice/possible countertransference.
Be careful of overlooking important issues (sex, emotions, relationships).
Ask about the disability and the person’s abilities in a respectful way.
Determine the relationship between disability and problem, and don’t assume the problem has to do with adjustment to the nondisabled world.
If client with a disability does not bring it up as part of the presenting problem: “are there ways in which your disability is part of this (presenting problem)? Respect positive functioning but do not be sensational.
Respond to the person rather than the disability. Respect the disability.

Question 42

Counseling relevant cultural issues: female

Answer 42

Women still face many issues in today’s society which can function as stressors. This includes economic status, lower pay rates compared to male counterparts, single parenthood, career barriers, how they are portrayed in the media, and the victimization they experience.
Victimization includes domestic violence, sexual assault, and rape. There has been some help combating these issues, such as title XI and sexual harassment/assault awareness.
Therefore it is important to stay up to date with biological and sociological issues, and know signs of abuse or violence.
It is also important to know social support groups, advocacy groups, and outreach programs for women.
It is important to assess sociocultural factors and understand women’s issues and needs in counseling.

Question 43

Counseling relevant cultural issues: male

Answer 43

Men and boys face many issues in society today. Boys have higher rates of learning disorders and ADHD, higher drop out and lower graduation rates, and more disciplinary problems.
Men have problems expressing and coping with negative emotions, parenting and health issues, financial pressures, violence and aggression, and underemployment.
Most standard therapeutic models do not work on men. Having flexibility with the client and taking them to out of office settings for sessions can help men to adjust better to therapy.
Authentic relational bond needs to be formed for therapy to be successful.
Elements of multicultural counseling are important to address problems unique to men and their socialization, and can also be important with any intersectionality.
Therapeutic concerns for men include relational problems, difficulties at work, conflict with model of masculinity, homophobia, pressures from needing to be “the best,” and often need crisis to seek help.
It is important to take steps to facilitate therapy, including following the client’s lead in relation to feelings work, address their possible ambivalence in regards to therapy, assess whether they see seeking treatment as failure, assess the degree of their adherence to traditional male sex roles, and taking an egalitarian approach with the client.

Question 44

Counseling relevant cultural issues: clients in poverty

Answer 44

It is important to take into account the race and gender of the client in poverty and the challenges in intersectionality which may occur.
It is important to be up to date on the poverty lines, which change every year and with the area they live in. There are a myriad of challenges when it comes to people in poverty seeking treatment, include logistical issues (cost, transportation, limited clinic hours, and difficulty finding child care) and multicultural issues (language barriers, trust issues, and miscommunications).
Be open to other forms of service, such as in home treatment, offering evening/weekend appointments, providing transport, childcare, or other services for people in poverty.
Be reassuring and understanding with the client. Stress the benefits of mental health.
Be open to coordinating with other services, such as social workers.