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, 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) x x White Americans African Americans | | | | -| 25 50 75 100 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 Direct Action Perpetrator Target Differential Treatment Cultural Psychology Model Cultural Atmosphere of Racism Group Differences in Perception of Racism 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 Representations of Black History Study 1: Do displays for Black History Month differ by cultural setting? (i.e., reflect different desires and understandings) MIND IN BRAIN MIND IN CONTEXT ("Psyche") ("Culture") Study : Do different constructions of BHM promote perception of racism and support for anti-racist policy (and thereby contribute to reproduction or resistance of domination)? We visited 16 KC area schools, 12 of which had BH displays Displays were from schools where European American student population ranged from 84-92% (mean = 86%) 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 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[...]... & Adams, G (2009) Representations of Black history as instruments of oppression and liberation Manuscript in preparation University of Kansas Lawrence, KS Racism Perception 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 Support for Policy 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, ... 11 C1 (-1,-1,+2): F(1,78) = 1.10, p = 04 C2 (-1,+1, 0): F(1,78) < 0 .33 , p = 31 Support for Policy 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 Representations of Black History S1: Mainstream representations of BHM inscribe particular beliefs and desires (associated with White identity concerns) MIND IN BRAIN MIND IN CONTEXT ("Psyche") ("Culture") ... 04 C2 (-1,+1, 0): F(1,78) < 0 .33 , p = 31 Support for Policy 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 Representations of Black History... 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