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Psychology, Multicultural

The study and practice of multicultural psychology is concerned with the intersections of an individual’s multiple identities in the context of multiple cultures and with how those interconnections have an impact on perception, understanding, and behavior. Multicultural psychology looks at what everyone involved brings to the table and works toward inclusive and equitable interaction, from first encounter, to problem definition, to assessment and planning of intervention and prevention treatment, and to resolution that incorporates strategies for change. A multicultural psychologist is a professional who explores and understands his or her own identity and biases, who consciously works toward building his or her knowledge of different cultural groups, who develops and adapts his or her skills in order to engage clients and colleagues, and who seeks out multicultural experiences and relationships.

In 2002, the APA published Guidelines on Multicultural Education, Training, Research, Practice, and Organizational Change for Psychologists. These guidelines came about because of practitioners’ recognition of, and need to work with, changing demographics and inequities in organizations and systems.

Revisions to update knowledge and practice guidelines in response to social changes are consistently in process. The APA has developed materials for psychologists on specific ethnically, culturally, and linguistically diverse populations include lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and inquiring; aging; and so on.

Psychologists work closely with the related professions of counseling and social work. Over the past decade, professionals in these related fields have developed definitions, guidelines, and practices for multicultural counseling/therapy.

Multiculturalism in Relation to the Deaf Community

Being deaf, and being part of the community of deaf people, happens in the larger sociopolitical context of a culturally hearing world. Like many minority groups, deaf individuals, and deaf people as a group, are “diverse”—different—in relation to the dominant hearing majority. Multiculturalism promotes inclusion and equity for deaf people as individuals and as a group and promotes the development of hearing people as aware, knowledgeable, experienced, and skillful allies. Multicultural psychology promotes development of both deaf and hearing awareness, knowledge, skills, and “encounters,” which further inclusion and equity and celebrate diversity. This includes training, consultation, and advocacy roles.

Multiculturalism in the Deaf community can be considered by looking inward to “within-group” diversity. Within-group differences happen along the spectrum of Deaf identity, from hard of hearing to culturally Deaf. This is profoundly connected with communication needs and strengths, experiences, and choices: American Sign Language, other signed languages (such as those from other countries), or signed systems (such as Signing Exact English or cued speech), and includes choices about the use of assistive technology, including hearing aids and cochlear implants. Deaf identity and language are also strongly influenced (positively and/or negatively) by educational experiences, including residential schools for the Deaf, self-contained deaf programs within hearing schools, and general education (mainstreaming).

Diversity within the Deaf community has a powerful impact. The experience of being deaf as a cultural identity is strongly influenced by family constellation. The vast majority of deaf people are born to hearing families that are not knowledgeable about the Deaf community and possibly have never even encountered a deaf person. Deaf people born into Deaf families experience a cultural environment of deep awareness, knowledge, and skills, and the support of a culture that models visual language and communication, arts, sports, and other activities—a complete social milieu.

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