The Psychology of Ethnic Groups in the United States

Pamela Balls Organista, Ph.D., an African American psychologist, is Professor of Psychology at the University of San Francisco.  Her research interests are in the areas of prevention interventions and ethnic minority health issues.  Publications include the books, "Readings in Ethnic Psychology" (Routledge 1998) and "Acculturation" (APA 2003), which she co-edited with Kevin M. Chun and Gerardo Marin, and several articles on migrant laborers and AIDS and stress and coping in primary care patients.  She is the founding faculty coordinator of the Ethnic Studies Program at the University of San Francisco. Gerardo Marin, PhD, is a Professor of Latin American Studies and Psychology, is Associate Provost at the University of San Francisco, and is an APA Fellow. He received his Ph.D. in social psychology from De Paul University. He has written more than 135 publications on topics that are relevant to Hispanics, including cultural norms and attitudes, risk behaviors, culturally appropriate methodology, and acculturation. He is the author of two widely used acculturation scales for Hispanics and was the editor of the recent Surgeon General′s Report on Smoking regarding the four ethnic minority groups. In 1991, he coauthored the book Research With Hispanic Populations with Barbara VanOss Marin and is also the co-editor of Acculturation: Advances in Theory, Measurement, and Applied Research (2003) and Readings in Ethnic Psychology (1998). Kevin M. Chun, Ph.D., a Chinese American psychologist, is Associate Professor of Psychology and Asian American Studies at the University of San Francisco, Senior Investigator at the University of California at San Francisco, and Alumni Scholar at the National Research Center on Asian American Mental Health, University of California at Davis.  His research focuses on processes of adaptation and their relation to health and psychosocial adjustment for Asian American immigrants and refugees.  Publications include "Readings in Ethnic Psychology" (Routledge 1998) and "Acculturation" (APA 2003), which he co-edited with professors Pamela Balls Organista and Gerardo Marin.  He is also a contributing author to several scholarly compendiums, including "Handbook of Asian American Psychology" and "Ethnocultural Approaches to Understanding Posttraumatic Stress Disorder."

1: ETHNIC DIVERSITY AND PSYCHOLOGY
Outline
Vignette: Learning About Ethnic Diversity in Psychology
The United States as an Ethnically Diverse Society
The Ethnic Diversity of the United States
Why Study the Psychology of Ethnic Diversity?
Ethnic Psychology as Different From Cross-Cultural Psychology
The Growth of Ethnic Psychology
Key Terms
Learning by Doing
Suggested Further Reading
2: BASIC THEORETICAL CONCEPTS
Outline
Vignette: "Mommy, What Color Are You?"
Understanding Culture
Understanding Ethnicity
Understanding Race
Social Orientations or Ways of Being
Social Stratification
Minority Status
Power and Privilege
Key Terms
Learning by Doing
Suggested Further Reading
3: METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES IN ETHNIC PSYCHOLOGY RESEARCH
Outline
Vignette: "That Is Not Me!"
Culturally Appropriate Research
Implementing Culturally Appropriate Research
The Problem of Limited Participation in Research
Ethical Considerations
Key Terms
Learning by Doing
Suggested Further Reading
4: ACCULTURATION
Outline
Vignette: "Call Me ′Jessie,′ Not ′Josefina!"
Defining Acculturation
Acculturation, Assimilation, and Segmented Assimilation
Models of Acculturation
Generational Differences and Acculturation
Acculturative Stress
Measuring Acculturation
Levels of Acculturation
Key Terms
Learning by Doing
Suggested Further Reading
5: INTERSECTING IDENTITIES: ETHNIC, RACIAL, GENDER, SEXUAL, AND CLASS DIMENSIONS
Outline
Vignette: Why Do We Have To Label Everyone?"
What Is Identity? Understanding the Multiple Facets of the Self
Dimensions of Identity in a Sociocultural Context
How Do Identities Intersect? Heterogeneity and Hybridity in a Multicultural World
Models of Identity Development and Formation
Relationship of Identities to Psychosocial Adjustment
Key Terms
Learning by Doing
Suggested Further Reading
6: FAMILY STRUCTURE, RELATIONS, AND SOCIALIZATION
Outline
Vignette: In My Family, We Never Openly Say ′I Love You′"
An Ecological Perspective of Family Functioning
How Do You Define a Family? Family Structures and Household Arrangements
Family Functioning, Socialization, and Adjustment
Key Terms
Learning by Doing
Suggested Further Reading
7: SOCIAL BEHAVIOR IN AN ETHNICALLY DIVERSE SOCIETY
Outline
Vignette: A True Story by One of the Authors (G.M.)
Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination
Racism
The Effects of Prejudice, Discrimination, and Racism
Reducing Prejudice, Discrimination, and Racism
The Benefits of an Ethnically Diverse Society
The Effects of Studying at a Diverse College
Key Terms
Learning by Doing
Further Readings
8: PHYSICAL HEALTH
Outline
Vignette: "Son, I′ve Lost Something."
Influential Models of Health
Culture, Ethnicity, and Health
Health Disparities Among Ethnic Groups
Culturally Competent Health Care
Key Terms
Learning by Doing
Suggested Further Reading
9: PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AND TREATMENT ISSUES
Outline
Vignette: "He′s Alright. He′s Just Funny That Way."
Mental Health and Psychological Distress
Prevalence of Major Psychological Disorders Among Ethnic Minorities
Culture-Bound Syndromes--Their Manifestations
Service Utilization
Selected Factors Influencing Effective Delivery of Mental Health Services
Practical and Ethical Guidelines for Culturally Sensitive Practice
Key Terms
Learning by Doing
Suggested Further Reading
10: AN EPILOGUE ON THE FUTURE OF ETHNIC PSYCHOLOGY
Outline
Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR)
Positive Psychology and the Role of Resilience
The Sociopolitical Context of Ethnic Psychology Within the United States
Key Terms