Sociopolitical Diversity in Psychology: The Case for Pluralism Author: Richard E. Redding

Purpose of Article The profession of psychology lacks sociopolitical diversity Conservatives and conservative views are vastly underrepresented This lack in diversity is detrimental to psychology in ways that conflict with the core values and ethical principles held by the APA

Article Summary There is an absence of a conservative voice in psychology This is reflected by the liberal social polices proposed by psychological science This is reflected by the liberal social polices proposed by psychological science Redding performed a content analysis of psychological articles Redding performed a content analysis of psychological articles In the American Psychologist, 97% of the articles were judged to advance liberal themes and positions In the Journal of Social Issues, 96% expressed liberal views

Problems Associated With Liberal Hegemony Research Biases in Policy Research “Sociopolitical biases influence the questions asked, the research methods used, the interpretation of research results, the peer review process, judgments about research quality, and decisions about whether to use research in policy advocacy.” “Sociopolitical biases influence the questions asked, the research methods used, the interpretation of research results, the peer review process, judgments about research quality, and decisions about whether to use research in policy advocacy.” Psychology’s Credibility in Question The manifestly liberal stance undermines its credibility The manifestly liberal stance undermines its credibility “Judges may believe that the results of empirical research are unreliable, because they have been distorted by the scientists’ liberal values.” “Judges may believe that the results of empirical research are unreliable, because they have been distorted by the scientists’ liberal values.”

Problems Associated With Liberal Hegemony Marginalizes Conservative Values and Ideas Lack of diversity may impede ability to serve conservative clients Lack of diversity may impede ability to serve conservative clients There is an ethical concern that therapists may impose their liberal values on conservative clients There is an ethical concern that therapists may impose their liberal values on conservative clients De Facto Discrimination in the Educational Process Probable selection effect for graduate school and de facto discrimination in faculty hiring Probable selection effect for graduate school and de facto discrimination in faculty hiring Conservative views are not nearly represented in the psychology curriculum as liberal views are Conservative views are not nearly represented in the psychology curriculum as liberal views are

Strategies for Increasing Sociopolitical Diversity Explore Conservative Alternatives “…not because the liberal wisdom is necessarily incorrect, but because it is incomplete.” “…not because the liberal wisdom is necessarily incorrect, but because it is incomplete.” Expand the Domain of Diversity Conservatives are an underrepresented minority; this is incompatible with psychology’s respect for diversity and other ethical principles Conservatives are an underrepresented minority; this is incompatible with psychology’s respect for diversity and other ethical principles Enrich the Curriculum “Engagement with multiple perspectives fosters critical thinking, produces more complex reasoning styles and attitudes” “Engagement with multiple perspectives fosters critical thinking, produces more complex reasoning styles and attitudes” Separate Science from Advocacy Psychologists should engage in advocacy only when there is strong empirical evidence supporting the social policy issue in question Psychologists should engage in advocacy only when there is strong empirical evidence supporting the social policy issue in question

Additional Article The Emperor’s New Clothes: Sociopolitical Diversity in Psychology Authors: Stephen R. Wester and David L. Vogel Emphasize the consequences of liberal hegemony on psychotherapy training The absence of the freedom for the students to express their own values and the assumption that all must share the correct liberal worldview creates an unsupportive training environment The absence of the freedom for the students to express their own values and the assumption that all must share the correct liberal worldview creates an unsupportive training environment “Psychologists explicitly value one worldview over another and, in so doing, suggest to some trainees that their professional success is dependent on staying in the political closet.” “Psychologists explicitly value one worldview over another and, in so doing, suggest to some trainees that their professional success is dependent on staying in the political closet.” Leads to impeding the learning process, producing therapists unprepared for a diverse clientele, damaging the reputation of psychotherapy, and ultimately, harming the client