Question

Effects the issues have on the feild of psychology---- Multicultrual or diversity issues

Answer 1

• Multicultural concerns cover a broad range of topics and identities including race, religion, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, and/or disability. Culture, or customs, beliefs, and products of various institutions or people at any particular time, can greatly influence how people interact and how we see one another–both positively and negatively.
• Culture plays an extremely relevant role in psychotherapy. The likelihood of a person seeking help, available treatments used by mental health professionals, and the outcome of treatment are greatly affected by cultural considerations.
• Depression or other mental health conditions that one culture may view as a reason for therapy may be seen as a matter to be handled by family or religion in another culture. A recent immigrant to the United States might be experiencing depression, but could also be facing the very different cultural landscape of her new home.
• A therapist with an understanding of multicultural issues can detect whether the problem is one of depression or adjustment. They can also make suggestions about how to acclimate to a new culture and anticipate potential problems. For example, a person who lived in an extremely small tribal society where she knew everyone she saw every day might struggle with the crowds and anonymity that are so often a part of life in the U.S.
• In a psychotherapeutic relationship, the culture of both therapist and person in therapy play a role in that dynamic. It is important for the therapist or mental health professional to be aware of any possible cultural differences of the person in therapy, even when multicultural issues are not a direct focus of the therapy sessions. Most therapists receive training or education on cultural competency and multicultural counseling, and therapists who wish to learn more can pursue continuing education.
• Some common issues therapists will learn about in training and must master to competently aid multicultural people in therapy can include:
• Different approaches to therapy within different cultures and the ways culture may magnify the stigma of mental illness.
• Cultural beliefs about mental illness, including spiritual beliefs. Using a person's spiritual beliefs as a tool for healing can be helpful.
• Sensitivity to racism and ethnocentrism.
• Cultural values and the ways in which culture shapes family relationships, ethics, core beliefs, and communication styles.
• Culturally sensitive communication, including the avoidance of potentially triggering terms and figures of speech.
• Variations in communication styles; some cultures prefer close contact while others need more space during a therapy session. Some cultures encourage people to be open and animated while others encourage people to keep their problems to themselves.
• Cultural competence begins with learning about one’s own culture—not only the basic facts
  such as where one’s parents or ancestors came from but also the values, assumptions, and
  biases that one has developed as a result of all cultural influences.
• When a clinical psychologist attains cultural self-awareness—that is, comes to understand that his or her viewpoint is (like everyone’s) unique and idiosyncratic—several conclusions are within reach. For example, the psychologist may adopt a viewpoint toward clients that is less egocentric and more appreciative of the varying experiences of life. Also, the psychologist may come to recognize that differences between people are not necessarily deficiencies, especially if the difference demonstrated by the client is common or valued in his or her own cultural group.