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5: Black Psychology

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  • Page ID
    181570

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    “Mental bondage is invisible violence. Formal physical slavery has ended in the United States. Mental slavery continues to this present day. This slavery affects the minds of all people and, in one way, it is worse than physical slavery alone. That is, the person who is in mental bondage will be ‘self-contained.’ Not only will that person fail to challenge the beliefs and patterns of thought which control him, he will defend and protect those beliefs and patterns of thought virtually with his last dying effort.” -Asa G. Hilliard, III, from the Introduction to the 1976 reprint of Stolen Legacy

    Learning Objectives
    • Students will define historical concepts, foundational theories and conceptual frameworks of Black Psychology.
    • Students will identify concepts of Black Psychology Racial Identity Development Theory as it pertains to building a strong self concept.
    • Students will recognize Afrocentric theories of Black Psychology as they apply to the African American collective experience which intersect with social systems in the United States.
    • Students will examine how contemporary Black psychological concepts affect the mental health of the African American community in the United States.

    Introduction Edit section

    This chapter provides a brief overview of the vast field of Black Psychology. Of primary importance is being mindful that Black Psychology is not a subsect of the field of Psychology but a category standing on its own and in its own right as theories of psychology were generated well before western societies' definition of psychology was established. To paraphrase and expand on the quote above by psychologist and scholar Dr. Asa Hilliard, Black Psychology works to decolonize the field of psychology and it allows Black people to free their mind from oppression by defining Black psychological concepts for themselves. This discipline helps to undo the psycho-miseducation of the indoctrinated colonized minds of Black people who are subjugated to mental slavery without being aware of it. Black Psychology is the vessel in which a person who studies it can, through a process of liberation and self discovery, recognize the shackles placed on their mind when raised in a capitalistic oppressive society and choose to rid themselves of these subconsciously limiting and discriminatory patterns of thinking. Black Psychology as a form of resistance seeks to counter anti-Blackness, empower the Black community by taking agency over their theories, phenomena and experiences of Black people while encouraging cultural pride, resilience and pertinent methods of culturally informed evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment.

    • 5.1: Context and Foundation
      This page discusses Black Psychology, founded in the late 1960s to address the mental health needs and experiences of people of African descent, counteracting mainstream psychology’s biases. It emphasizes resilience, cultural pride, and community support while tackling racism and inequality.
    • 5.2: Key Theorists, Movments, and Principles
      This page discusses Black Psychology, highlighting its two main schools: integration of psychological theories for the Black experience and Afrocentric knowledge. It evolved through three frameworks: Deconstructionist, Reconstructionist, and Constructionist. Pioneering Black psychologists have challenged Eurocentric perspectives. Dr. Janet E. Helms introduced the Theory of Cultural Mistrust, reflecting minority skepticism towards dominant culture.
    • 5.3: Positions in the Field
      This page explores the significance of collectivism and community in African psychology, contrasting it with Eurocentric individualism. It highlights models like the Akan Personality Model and the Ubuntu philosophy, along with critiques by figures such as W. E. B. DuBois and Dr. Wade Nobles, emphasizing the communal roots of Black identity.
    • 5.4: Opportunities and Possibilities
      This page examines the psychological effects of racism, focusing on concepts like racialized aggressions, internalized racism, and cultural mistrust. It discusses how microaggressions and stereotype threats impact marginalized groups and highlights the role of generational trauma, particularly regarding the Black community's mental health.
    • 5.5: Futurity
      This page emphasizes Black Psychology's focus on cultural grounding, academic excellence, and social responsibility for BIPOC communities. It offers trauma-informed therapies and acknowledges historical oppressions. Founded in 1968, the Association of Black Psychologists has driven diverse research and journals. Initiatives like the Black Woman’s Health Initiative and BEAM advocate for mental health and address systemic disparities.
    • 5.6: Glossary
      This page explores key psychological terms and concepts related to race and societal structures, including the 1940s Doll Study, the Akan Personality Model, and Black Psychology. It discusses theories like Internalized Oppression, Intersectionality, and Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome, examining their effects on mental health and social dynamics.
    • 5.7: Instructor Resources
      This page discusses teaching resources for an upcoming chapter, urging instructors to utilize and adapt them for their courses.

    Thumbnail: Portrait of the married couple Dr. Kenneth Clark and Dr. Mammie Phipps Clark (Use with permission via Library of Congress; via Library of Congress)

    This page titled 5: Black Psychology is shared under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Jasmine Phillipsy (ASCCC Open Educational Resources Initiative (OERI)) .