PSYC 561: Cultural Issues in Psychological Practice

Question 1

Acculturation

Answer 1

Acculturation refers to the process of minority groups internalizing the values, beliefs, and traditions of the larger/majority group. This occurs at the individual and group level and can result in stress for those of the minority status.

Question 2

ADDRESSING Model

Answer 2

This acronym describes several facets of identity and includes components of identity that are often overlooked. The acronym stands for: Age, Disability (at birth), Disability (acquired), Religion, Ethnicity, SES, Sexual orientation, Indigenous heritage, Nation of Origin, and Gender/pronouns.

Question 3

Assimilation

Answer 3

Assimilation refers to the process when an immigrant to a new culture adopts that culture’s beliefs and practices. Immigrants often feel great pressure to blend in and embraced as belonging in the culture. Though assimilation can also cause stress, both for the individual and for those around them.

Question 4

Bicultural

Answer 4

This occurs when an individual ascribes to, values, embodies cultural attitudes, and customs of two different cultural identities. Identifying as bicultural can be difficult in a society that encourages assimilation and an either-or attitude (i.e. not fitting in just one “box”).

Question 5

Collectivism

Answer 5

Collectivism occurs when the psychosocial unit of operation resides in the family/group/collective society rather than in the individual. Under this worldview, the needs and interests of the individual are sacrificed to meet the needs of the whole group. Collectivism is typically prominent in Eastern cultures.

Question 6

Coming Out Process

Answer 6

The process of when a member of the LGBTQIA+ community reveals their gender identity or sexual orientation to others. This is not a “one and done” process, as the individual often has to “come out” several times in their lives. There can be both positive and negative consequences depending on the individual and those around them.

Question 7

Cross’ Model of Racial Identity

Answer 7

This model was developed during the Civil Rights movement and delineates a five-stage process in which Black people in the United States move from a White frame of reference to a positive Black frame of reference. The five stages include: pre-encounter (i.e. focus on assimilation), encounter (i.e. event challenges beliefs and causes shift), immersion-emersion (i.e. pulls away from White culture and enters Black culture), internalization (i.e. accepts both cultures but feels most connected to Black culture), and internationalization-commitment (i.e. the individual commits to and embraces Black culture).

Question 8

Cultural Competence

Answer 8

This is the awareness, knowledge, and skills needed to function and work effectively with culturally diverse population. The therapist must understand the various influences of culture on a person’s behavior and interactions. Cultural competence is not a “check box,” but rather a lifelong process in which the therapist must continually engage.

Question 9

Cultural Relativism

Answer 9

This refers to the belief that the manifestation and treatment of psychological disorders must take cultural differences into consideration. The client’s worldview and behaviors/emotional expression must be understood through the lens of their cultural identity.

Question 10

Cultural Racism

Answer 10

Cultural racism rationalizes and perpetuates racial inequality via the ideology of cultural superiority and inferiority. It values Whiteness and White culture and devalues, stereotypes, and labels culturally diverse groups as “other” or “less than.”

Question 11

Cultural Universality

Answer 11

This refers to the view that values, concepts, and behaviors characteristic of diverse cultures can be judged according to universal standards. Under this lens, it is believed that culturally diverse populations can be treated just the same as Western populations and cultural differences do not need to be considered.

Question 12

Culture

Answer 12

The distinctive customs, values, beliefs, knowledge, art, and language of a society or community. These values and concepts are passed on from generation to generation and are the basis for everyday behaviors/practices. One’s culture often has a significant influence on one’s identity and their internal frame of reference.

Question 13

Culture Bound

Answer 13

This refers to behaviors, values, and beliefs that are linked to a specific culture or group. Certain syndromes/disorders as well as treatments may be culture bound, meaning they are only found in that culture. Therapists must be ware of these specific cultures so as not to misdiagnose or offend the client’s practice, particularly if it’s considered normal/healthy in their cultural lens.

Question 14

Emic

Answer 14

Emic refers to cultural specificity and that cultural differences must be considered in the diagnoses and treatment of diverse groups. The emic perspective emphasizes culture-specific norms/views in the context of the client’s culture.

“M” for me

Question 15

Ethnicity

Answer 15

This refers to a social categorization based on an individual’s identification with a particular cultural or ethnic group. It is belonging to a group with a common national, cultural tradition, religion, or language. Race and ethnicity commonly overlap.

Question 16

Ethnocentric Monoculturalism

Answer 16

This refers to a belief in the superiority of one’s cultural heritage over another, as well as the imposition of those standards upon the less powerful group.

Question 17

Ethnocentrism

Answer 17

An evaluation of other cultures according to preconceptions that originate in the standards/customs of one’s own culture(s). Therapists must be careful not to perpetuate ethnocentrism in their practice.

Question 18

Etic

Answer 18

Etic refers to cultural universality and the belief that human beings share overwhelming commonalities and that the manifestation/treatment of disorders are similar across all cultures. The etic perspective downplays cultural differences and assumes similarities between all groups of people.

“T” for total

Question 19

Filial Piety

Answer 19

An attitude of respect for parents and ancestors in societies that are influenced by Confucian though. It refers to a reverence for parents/elders as the basis of all human relations and interactions.

Question 20

Individualism

Answer 20

This perspective prioritizes the needs and goals of the individual over those of the larger group. Individualism focuses on autonomy, self-reliance, and assertiveness and is often found in Western cultures like the United States.

Question 21

Institutional Racism

Answer 21

A set of institutional policies, practices, and priorities that are designed to oppress minority populations and force dependence on the majority population. This can include police practices, unemployment, housing and education issues, discriminatory incarceration, economics, etc. This is typically one of the more covert forms of racism and is therefore most difficult to recognize and disassemble.

Question 22

Microaggressions

Answer 22

Microaggressions refer to everyday slight put-downs, invalidations, and insults that are directed at diverse groups. Often times microaggressions occur by well-intentioned people who are unaware that they have engaged in biased/harmful behaviors. Microaggressions are often split into three categories: micro-insults, micro-assaults, and micro-invalidations.

Question 23

Minority

Answer 23

A subgroup with social, religious, ethnic, racial, or other characteristics that differ from the majority population. The term minority can extend to cover any group that is the subject of oppression and discrimination by another. Minority status often puts the individual at a disadvantage.

Question 24

Multicultural Competencies

Answer 24

This refers to the therapist’s ability to understand and constructively relate to the uniqueness of each client in light of their cultural identity and influences. This is typically split into three components: Awareness (i.e. knowing one’s own biases and views), Knowledge (i.e. knowing information about culturally diverse groups), and Skills (i.e. the implementation of culturally appropriate intervention/interactions).

Question 25

Multicultural Counseling

Answer 25

This is an umbrella framework that refers to a helping role and process that utilizes modalities that are consistent with the life experiences and cultural values of diverse clients. Therapists must recognize that their values may differ from values of culturally diverse clients and recognize difference in “accepted” behavior across cultures.

Question 26

Multicultural Perspectives in Counseling

Answer 26

This perspective recognizes the differences among and within clients and how their cultures impact their values. Therapists must maintain an awareness of their own cultural biases/values in order to prevent them from interfering with their interaction with culturally diverse clients. Therapists are also responsible for gaining knowledge of diverse populations and education themselves about the culture(s) of their clients.

Question 27

Oppression

Answer 27

This is a situation in which people are governed in an unfair and cruel way. The exercise of this authority/power prevents individuals from having opportunities or freedoms and is perpetuated and maintained by a power imbalance. Dominant cultures will often use their status to silence “others” and “subordinate” cultural groups.

Question 28

Pluralism

Answer 28

This is the idea in which numerous ethnic, religious, or cultural groups participate fully within the dominant society while maintaining their cultural differences. These distinct groups may interact without conflict, but often feels the pressure to assimilate.

Question 29

Poverty and Mental Illness

Answer 29

Those deemed in poverty are much more likely to develop a mental illness than those with a higher socioeconomic status due to lack of affordable/safe housing and financial stressors.

Question 30

Race

Answer 30

A socially defined concept sometimes used to designate a portion of the human population with common physical characteristics, ancestry, beliefs, or language. The most widely used racial categories are based on visible traits like skin color, though it is important to remember that race in and of itself is a construct.

Question 31

Racial Identity Development Model

Answer 31

A 5-stage theory of racial identity development by Sue & Sue. Individuals start in a state of conformity, which is the depreciation of self and their own culture and an appreciation dominant culture. Next, they move to the dissonance and appreciation which is when an individual experiences conflict with their submission to a dominant culture. Thirdly is the resistance and immersion stage when an individual experiences negative attitudes toward the dominant culture and positive attitudes toward their own culture. Following is the introspective stage, when the individual tries to see to the best in both cultures. Lastly in the integrative awareness stage, which is an appreciation of their own culture but it comfortable moving between both cultures.

Question 32

White Privilege

Answer 32

This refers to the unearned advantages and privileges that accrue to people of light-colored skin, typically of White European descent. White privilege maintains the racial hierarchy in the United States and often many White individuals are unaware of its presence/influence in their life.

Question 33

White Racial Identity Development

Answer 33

This stage theory occurs in 6 stages: 1) Contact (i.e. lacks awareness), 2) Disintegration (i.e. has awareness but feels helpless at recognition of own advantage), 3) Reintegration (i.e. active assertion of White superiority while denying racism), 4) Pseudo-Independence (i.e. characterized by attempts to understand racial differences), 5) Immersion/Emersion (i.e. an increase of experiential and affective understanding and changing majority behavior/attitudes), and 6) Autonomy (i.e. awareness of Whiteness with reduced guilt, acceptance of role in perpetuating racism, and commitment to social change).

Question 34

Worldview

Answer 34

Worldviews are composed of people’s attitudes, values, and beliefs that affect how people think, behave, define events, and make decisions. It consists of basic assumptions that provide a way of thinking about the world. Different cultures often have different worldviews.

Question 35

Counseling-relevant cultural issues for: African American Clients

Answer 35

Overall mistrust of helping professions, race-based trauma, less likely to seek treatment and more likely to terminate early, high poverty and incarceration rate, strong stigma associated with getting help.

Question 36

Counseling-relevant cultural issues for: Hispanic/Latinx Clients

Answer 36

Oftentimes holds a collectivistic worldview and focuses more on how issues affect family as opposed to the individual. High rates of depression/suicide attempts in Latina youth. Consider documentation status stressors (for self or family) and language barriers.

Question 37

Counseling-relevant cultural issues for: Native American Clients

Answer 37

High rates of poverty, be respectful of differences between tribes/nations, oftentimes collectivistic and highly spiritual. Substance use and domestic violence are common, though not inherent. Highest rate of completed suicide among all ethnic groups.

Question 38

Counseling-relevant cultural issues for: LGBTQIA+ Clients

Answer 38

Highly targeted for violence (particularly Black transwomen), bias/discrimination exists within the group itself (mainly toward Bisexual individuals), be aware of heterosexist language, respect where client is at regarding coming out process or acceptance of identity.

Question 39

Counseling-relevant cultural issues for: Asian Clients

Answer 39

“Model Minority” issue, often keep emotions private and express somatically, collectivistic orientation, least responsive due to sense of violation of privacy, rapport often built by discussing confidentiality.

Question 40

Counseling-relevant cultural issues for: Arab Clients

Answer 40

Stereotyped as “dangerous” and does not trust outsiders, family centric/patriarchal, do not assume Arab women are oppressed, tendency to focus on here/now as opposed to future orientation.

Question 41

Counseling-relevant cultural issues for: Physically Disabled Clients

Answer 41

Often ignored or perceived as “sub-human,” ensure accessibility to office, do not overlook issues like sex/relationships due to physical disability, do not assume that the disability is the problem rather explore its potential relationship to the problem.

Question 42

Counseling-relevant cultural issues for: Female Clients

Answer 42

Assertiveness training may be beneficial (depending on culture), issue of sexism in everyday life and how that may affect client problems, “glass ceiling” barriers, and victimization following violence.

Question 43

Counseling-relevant cultural issues for: Male Clients

Answer 43

Societal message that getting mental health care equates weakness, learning to recognize and feel emotions, higher rate of learning disorders, does best with male clinicians.

Question 44

Counseling-relevant cultural issues for: Clients in Poverty

Answer 44

Follow Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, therapist may need to take on case management role, overall barriers to treatment/change (particularly that of financial cost)