Western Psychology vs. African American Culture

The Limitations of Western Psychology Applied to African American Clients

The assumptions housed by Western psychology are often mistaken to be the best fit for all clients . Researchers and clinicians have identified serious shortcomings in the application of Western psychology to the effective treatment of African Americans (Belgrave Allison , 2006 . The two approaches of Western psychology and African American psychology diverge in several key areas , but they also share many important central features . A comparison and contrast of these approaches provides practical information for clinicians to utilize in the treatment

planning process . African American psychology offers a rich collection of underutilized methodology that could improve the cultural competence of all clinicians (Parks , 2003

Western and African American psychology prioritize scientific rigor as the cornerstone of empirical research . Both approaches emphasize the study of behavior , thoughts , and feelings . Much of the research from the African American psychology perspective fortifies its findings by incorporating a historical reflection when discussing current trends Western research occasionally includes considerations of history , but fails to apply the effects of intergenerational oppression consistently (Parks , 2003 . In this regard , Western psychology falls short in comparison . This is not usually the conclusion drawn by many professionals , who mistakenly view Western psychology as the dominant and singular example of the study of human behavior

Those familiar with African American psychology develop a dual appreciation for both emic and etic treatment modalities and approaches to the study of psychology . Etic factors can be applied universally to all people . Western and African...