Culture and Mental Health Why is multiculturalism good?

Racial ideology LeftRight Where do you think you are? Where do you think “liberals” are? Where do you think “conservatives” are? Theoretical center

Racial ideology LeftRight RadicalLiberalNeo-con.FascistConservative Multicultural Mainstream U.S. ideology Neo-lib.

Racial Ideology Fascist (Neo-Nazis, White Supremacists): Race is divinely determined Racial inequality exists due to God-given race-group differences in personal characteristics (e.g, vulnerability to disease, intelligence). These God-given differences make the White race superior to all other racial groups. Since God created these differences, racial inequality is both normal and desirable, and it is God’s will that the White race be in “control.” Cross-group understanding is irrelevant. Group equality is undesirable and is counter to God’s will.

Racial Ideology Conservative: Race is biologically determined Racial inequality exists due to innate biological race-group differences in personal characteristics (e.g, vulnerability to disease, intelligence) People generally get what they deserve (i.e., a “just world”) Cross-group understanding is present (in conservative circles) Group equality on Earth is not an explicit goal but everyone is equal in the eyes of God.

Racial Ideology Neo-Conservative: Race is socially constructed Racial inequality used to exist due to institutional & scientific racism Cross-group understanding is present (in neo-conservative circles) Path to equality is a color-blind society in which everyone pursues the “American” dream by “lifting themselves up by the bootstraps” (i.e., a “just world” belief system) “My proposal for dealing with the racial issue in social welfare is to repeal every bit of legislation and reverse every court decision that in any way requires, recommends, or awards differential treatment according to race…We may argue about the appropriate limits of government intervention in trying to enforce the ideal, but at least it should be possible to identity the ideal: Race is not a morally admissible reason for treating one person differently from another. Period.” (Charles Murray, “Losing Ground: American Social Policy, ”)

Racial Ideology Neo-Liberal: Race is socially constructed Racial inequality exists due to past institutional & scientific racism Cross-group understanding is present (in neo-liberal circles) Path to equality is a social agenda that provides assistance based on need, not race or some other group status. The welfare reform that Bill Clinton endorsed and signed into law is a good example.

Racial Ideology Liberal: Race is socially constructed Racial inequality exists and is due to historical and current environmental disparities Cross-group understanding is present (in liberal circles) Path to equality is to even the “playing field” by remedying past injustices, which requires treating some groups differently. “A profound difference separates governmental actions that themselves are racist and governmental actions that seek to remedy the effects or prior racism or to prevent neutral government activity from perpetuating the effects of such racism.” Supreme Court Justice, Thurgood Marshall

Racial Ideology Radical Race is a socio-political construction Racial inequality exists and is due to social oppression (i.e., white supremacy) Cross-group understanding and equality are not attainable in today’s society.

Definition of multiculturalism “A social-intellectual movement that promotes the value of diversity as a core principle and insists that all cultural groups be treated with respect and as equals.” (Fowers and Richardson, 1996, “Why is Multiculturalism good?”) Racial ideology of multiculturalism: Race is socially constructed But genetic descent may be important to a group’s self-identity Racial inequality exists (due to historical & current environmental disparity) Cross-group understanding is usually not present, but, along with equality, is attainable via a way of being that is non-judgmental and open to different perspectives.

Assumptions of multiculturalism Diversity (of all sorts) is valuable and should be pursued In order to become more “diverse” Group differences should be recognized Group differences should be respected Group differences should be valued

Legitimate criticism of Multiculturalism Conservative Multiculturalism is a form of cultural relativism, and some cultural practices are morally repugnant Multiculturalism is a rejection of majority culture Multiculturalism encourages cultural separatism Neo-Conservative We are really all fundamentally the same We all fundamentally different Liberal Multiculturalism is a form of cultural relativism, and some cultural practices are morally repugnant (same as conserv.) Multiculturalism is a rejection of majority culture (same as conserv.) Radical Multiculturalism does not acknowledge power dynamics True multiculturalism is unattainable because of power differential Multiculturalism may threaten the “authenticity” of a group through contact with other cultures.

What is culture?

Cultural Orientation Model

Cultural Competence Continuum Cultural Destructiveness Cultural differences are seen as problematic. Goal of therapy is to eliminate cultural differences. Cultural Incapacity Although they do not intentionally seek to cause harm, individuals in this stage believe in the superiority of their own racial or ethnic group and assume a paternalistic posture toward “lesser” groups. Cultural Blindness Color or culture is assumed to make no difference and all people are assumed to be fundamentally the same. Cultural Pre-competence Weaknesses in working with various cultures are acknowledged and some effort made to improve services to diverse populations. Cultural Competence Cultural differences are accepted and respected. Therapists engage in continuing cultural self-assessment. Cultural Proficiency Culturally proficient individuals prioritize cultural competency in their clinical work, research, teaching, etc.

What does this mean for psychotherapy?