Dr glenn adams 3

Racism and Oppression: A Cultural Psychology Analysis Glenn Adams Department of Psychology and Kansas African Studies Center University of Kansas, USA 25 MAY 2011 Faculty of Psychology,

Racism and Oppression:

A Cultural Psychology Analysis

Glenn Adams

Department of Psychology and Kansas African Studies Center

University of Kansas, USA

25 MAY 2011

Faculty of Psychology, University for Social Sciences and Humanities,

Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam.

"The government response to Hurricane Katrina would have been faster

if most victims had been White" (Page and Puente, 2005).

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White Americans

African Americans

Group Differences in Perception of Racism

Mainstream Approach:

Treats African American perception of racism as an exaggeration

or distortion of reality that requires an explanation.

Implies that European American denial of racism is accurate,

objectively true, and without need of explanation.

Cultural Psychology Approach:

Treats African American perception of racism reflect legitimate, defensible understanding of events

Emphasizes that European American denial is not “objective” but constitutes a distortion of reality that requires explanation.

Group Differences in Perception of Racism

Motivational or Evaluative Interpretations

Informational or Perceptual Interpretations

Definitions of Racism and Discrimination

African Americans may perceive greater racism b/c they apply a broad definition that includes institutional discrimination

European Americans may perceive less racism because they apply

a narrow definition that limits "racism" to acts of intentional

discrimination by hostile, prejudiced individuals.

Prevailing Model: Prejudice Problematic

Prejudice &

Stereotype

Differential Treatment

Direct Action

Cultural Atmosphere

of Racism

Cultural Psychology Model

Motivational or Evaluative Interpretations

Informational or Perceptual Interpretations

Definitions of Racism

Knowledge of Racist History

African Americans may show greater endorsement b/c they inhabit

worlds where personal experience and representations of history

acknowledge a greater role of racism in society

Group Differences in Perception of Racism

Study 2 : Do different constructions of BHM promote perception

of racism and support for anti-racist policy (and thereby

contribute to reproduction or resistance of domination)?

MIND IN BRAIN

("Psyche")

MIND IN CONTEXT

("Culture")

Study 1: Do displays for Black History Month differ by cultural setting? (i.e., reflect different desires and understandings)

Representations of Black History

We visited 16 KC area schools, 12 of which had BH displays.

7 Displays were from schools where European American

student population ranged from 84-92% (mean = 86%)

5 Displays were from schools where European American student population ranged from 2-28% (mean = 16%)

47 White undergrads at KU completed identification measures and

rated photographs of all 12 displays

Liking (4 items; e.g., How much do you like this display?)

Recognition (4 items; e.g., How familiar are you with the contents

of the display?)

* Salter, P S., & Adams, G (2009) Representations of Black history as instruments of oppression and liberation Manuscript in preparation University of Kansas Lawrence, KS.

School Type F(1,46)=77.30, p<.001 Rating Type F(1,46)=38.81, p<.001 Interaction F(1,46)=51.90, p<.001

Participants: 78 KU undergraduates

Procedure: Displays as BH manipulation

Participants view 5 displays from either Black or White

schools (i.e., between-subjects design)

* Salter, P S., & Adams, G (2009) Representations of Black history as instruments of oppression and liberation Manuscript in preparation University of Kansas Lawrence, KS.

Omnibus: F(2,78) = 2.21, p = 11

C1 (-1,-1,+2): F(1,78) = 1.10, p = 04

C2 (-1,+1, 0): F(1,78) < 0.33, p = 31

Omnibus: F(2,78) = 2.35, p = 10 C1 (-1,-1,+2): F(1,78) = 0.87, p = 07 C2 (-1,+1, 0): F(1,78) =0.43, p=.13

Racism Perception Support for Policy

S2: Regardless of individual intention, mainstream

representations of BHM serve as a tool for denial of injustice and opposition to social justice policy.

MIND IN BRAIN

("Psyche")

MIND IN CONTEXT

("Culture")

S1: Mainstream representations of BHM inscribe particular

beliefs and desires (associated with White identity concerns)

Representations of Black History