African American Psychology

African American Psychology: From Africa to America provides comprehensive coverage of the field of African American psychology. Authors Faye Z. Belgrave and Kevin W. Allison skillfully convey the integration of African and American influences on the psychology of African Americans using a consistent theme throughout the text—the idea that understanding the psychology of African Americans is closely linked to understanding what is happening in the institutional systems in the United States. The Fourth Edition reflects notable advances and important developments in the field over the last several years, and includes evidence-based practices for improving the overall well-being of African American communities

The Handbook of African American Psychology provides a comprehensive guide to current developments in African American psychology. It presents theoretical, empirical, and practical issues that are foundational to African American psychology. It synthesizes the debates in the field and research designed to understand the psychological, cognitive, and behavioral development of African Americans. The breadth and depth of the coverage in this handbook offers both foundational material and current developments. Although similar topics will be covered in this text that are included in other works, this will be the only work in which experts in the field write on contemporary debates related to these topics. Moreover, the proposed text incorporates other issues that are typically not covered in related books. The contributing authors also identify gaps in the literature and point to future directions in research, training, and practice. Key Features: Contains the writings of renowned editors and contributors: The most well-respected and accomplished editors and authors in the area of African American psychology, and psychology in general, have come together to lend their expert analysis of issues and research in this field. Designed for course use: With a consistent format from chapter to chapter and sections on historical development, cutting-edge theories, assessment, intervention, methodology, and development issues, instructors will find this handbook appropriate for use with upper-level undergraduate and graduate-level classes Offers unique coverage: The authors discuss issues not typically found in other books on African American psychology, such as ethics, certification, the gifted and talented, Hip-Hop and youth culture, common misconceptions about African Americans, and within-group differences related to gender, class, age, and sexual orientation.

This innovative text is the first to examine the contemporary psychological experience of African Americans through the lens of a positive, strengths-based model. It combats the deficit perspective that has permeated the psychological literature about African Americans by focusing on the strengths that have facilitated their growth and resilience—while also considering existing challenges and struggles. The author examines in depth the major areas of psychological research across family, peer, and romantic relationships, education, work, ethnic-racial socialization and identity, prosocial behavior and civic engagement, and the mental and physical health of African Americans today. With a focus on real life applications, the text includes pedagogical elements introducing topics in Current Events, Interventions in Practice, Individual Issues, African Cultural Values, and Media and Technology. Additional features include learning objectives in each chapter, discussion questions, a closing summary, an extensive trove of additional resources, and PowerPoints and a sample syllabus for instructors. Print version of book includes free, searchable, digital access to the entire contents. Key Features: Serves as the first text to examine African American psychology from a strengths-based perspective Grounded in a lifespan perspective Focuses on ethnic-racial socialization and ethnic-racial identity Addresses mental and physical health Demonstrates how communities have used strength-based techniques to achieve positive outcomes Integrate values common to Western Africa Includes learning objectives, discussion questions, closing summary, and boldfaced key terms Provides PowerPoints and a sample syllabus

In an effort to help develop an approach to psychology that is consistent with the African American experience, African American Psychology provides a comprehensive overview of African American behavior and personality. This collection of classical papers drawn from The Journal of Black Psychology points out that a Eurocentric perspective or orientation is inherent not only in most psychological theory but also in the research methods developed to test psychological theories. As such, those who try to understand the African American experience must not limit themselves to traditional concepts or research methods. The five sections of this volume cover both alternative and theoretical perspectives and new approaches to conducting research, the diversity of structure in African American families and the forces affecting them, African American children, and two controversial but critical areas of study: intelligence and cognition.

For courses in Introduction to Psychology, African American Psychology, African American Studies, Multicultural Counseling and Cross Cultural Counseling and Psychotherapy. This text highlights the limitations of traditional psychological theories and approaches when applied to people of African descent. It provides information on how the African Centered Perspective is defined, as well as how it operates in the context of the African American family with regard to identity development, education, mental health, research, and managing contemporary issues. It links the context of African American life to the traditions, values and spiritual essence of their African ancestors in an attempt to acknowledge the African worldview and assist the African American community in addressing some of the challenges they continue to face.

Introduction: Defining African-American Political Psychology - Tasha S. Philpot and Ismail K. White * Part I: The History of African-American Political Psychology Research in Two Disciplines * A Meeting of the Minds: Exploring the Intersection of Psychology, Political Science, and Black Politics - Tasha S. Philpot, Kyle Endres, and John Iadarola * The Political Science Image of the Black Mind: Politics in the Psychology of African Americans - Harwood K. McClerking and Hanes Walton, Jr. * Part II: Contemporary Issues in the Psychology of Black Identity * Beliefs in Black and White: How Race Influences Americans' Perceptions of Themselves, Their Racial Group, and Their National Group - Roy Eidelson and Mikhail Lyubansky * Feeling Different: Racial Group-Based Emotional Response to Political Events - Tasha S. Philpot, Ismail K. White, Kristin Wylie, and Ernest B. McGowen * When Race Matters and When It Doesn't: Racial Group Differences in Response to Racial Cues - Ismail K. White * One of Our Own: Black Female Candidates and the Voters Who Support Them - Tasha S. Philpot and Hanes Walton, Jr. * Race, Identity, and Candidate Support: A Test of Implicit Preference - Jas M. Sullivan * Part III: Contemporary Issues in the Psychology of Black Political Attitudes and Behavior * Religion through a Racial Lens: The Effect of Race on Religious Interpretation - Eric L. McDaniel * Some Like it Hot: Towards a Political Climate Explanation of Racial Differences in Political Interest - Ray Block, Jr. * Divide and Conquer: How Partisan Race Cues Polarize the Electorate - Vincent L. Hutchings and Nicholas A. Valentino * African-American Activists' Perceptions of Racism and Empowerment - Kenneth Foster, Sr. * Depressing the Vote: The Environmental Determinants of Turnout in African-American Precincts in the 2000 Presidential Election - Ernest B. McGowen.

Positive psychology has become a vibrant, well-regarded field of study, and a powerful tool for clinicians. But, for many years, the research in areas relevant to positive psychology, such as happiness, subjective well-being, and emotional intelligence, has been based on findings from largely White samples and has rarely taken the concerns of the ethnic community into consideration. Now, for the first time, leaders in the field have come together to provide a comprehensive reference that focuses specifically on how a culturally-informed approach to positive psychology can help capitalize on the strengths of racial minority groups and have a greater potential to positively impact their psychological well-being. Taking into account the rich and diverse cultural histories of ethnic groups, the information presented in this volume can help clinicians use positive psychology to inspire minorities to be effective agents in their environments and communities. Acting as a bridge between positive psychology theory and research -- largely based on an essentialist view of human behavior -- and the realities of practice and assessment in diverse groups, Positive Psychology in Racial and Ethnic Groups focuses on four main ethnic groups: Asian Americans, Latin Americans, African Americans, and American Indians. Broken into five major sections -- an introduction to the field, theory and research, assessment, clinical interventions, and a discussion of what the future may hold -- this is a unique volume in the field, and a call to action for researchers and clinicians everywhere.

The movements toward cultural sensitivity and evidence-based practice are watershed developments in clinical psychology. As a population with a long history of substandard treatment from mental health systems, African Americans have especially benefitted from these improvements. But as with other racial and ethnic minorities, finding relevant test measures in most psychological domains presents clinicians with an ongoing challenge. The Guide to Psychological Assessment with African Americans aims to close the evaluation/therapy gap by giving practitioners the tools to choose appropriate instruments while respecting client individuality. Expert contributors analyze scarce and far-flung data, identify strengths and limitations of measures and norms in their use with African-American clients, and advise on avoiding biases in interpreting results. The editors advocate for a theory-based hypothesis-testing approach to assessment when empirical evidence is lacking, and offer guidelines for decision-making that is effective as well as ethnically aware. The Guide's findings, insights, and practical information cover the gamut of test and diagnostic areas, including: IQ and personality. Generalized anxiety disorder, panic, and phobias. Neuropsychological assessment, cognitive decline, and dementia. Mood disorders and suicidality. Forensic assessment, risk, and recidivism. Measures specific to children and adolescents. Plus PTSD, substance disorders, eating pathology, and more. Expertly complementing cross-cultural treatment texts, the Guide to Psychological Assessment with African Americans stands out as a trustworthy resource for treatment planning useful to clinical psychologists, neuropsychologists, and clinical social workers.