Australian psychology and Australia's indigenous people: Existing and emerging narratives

Abstract

his brief overview of psychological research with Indigenous people of Australia attempts to apprehend T the broad, underlying narratives of previous research in terms of its sociopolitical aims. It then considers the debate about whether the moral precept of social responsibility is compatible with scientific values that underpin psychological research, and argues that a socially responsible psychology is one that engages in self-reflection on its biases and prejudices, methodologies, and systems of ethics. Each of these self-reflective goals is analysed in turn, with a view to establishing dialogue between non-Indigenous researchers and practitioners and Indigenous people about the role a socially responsible psychology might have in contemporary Indigenous society.

Challenging the monoculturalism of psychology: Towards a more socially accountable pedagogy and practice

“…Yet as many of the alternate approaches outlined above suggest, psychology as a cultural practice needs to pay particular attention to the truth claims that it makes, and the practices that it engages in. What this requires is a willingness to engage with the critiques that are made of psychology, with the aim being a critical analysis of the epistemological foundations of the discipline, rather than assuming a defensive posture (Davidson et al, 2000). In this way we may be better equipped to challenge the epistemic violence that is often enacted in the name of the discipline.…”

“…Intimately related to this transparency is a form of critical reflexivity, which seeks to acknowledge the histories of oppression that structure subjectivities within contemporary Australia, and which may often be played out within the field of practice. What this reflexivity requires, then, is an increased role for the sociopolitical within psychology, and a continued willingness from practitioners, academics and the discipline more generally to speak out about oppressive practices, with which psychology is often complicit (Davidson, Sanson, & Gridley, 2000).…”

International Community Psychology

“…The congress's complete lack of attention to such questions, alongside the absence of any Indigenous content in the conference's scientific or even social program, acted as a trigger point for the community psychologists in attendance to reflect on their social responsibility. As Davidson et al (2000) observed in reviewing a century of psychological research with Australia's Indigenous people, the challenge was then, and continues to be today:…”

Reconciliation between Aboriginal and Other Australians: The “Stolen Generations”

“…There is a large body of psychological research focusing on Aboriginal people, but much of the earlier research was framed by, and reinforced, the prevailing belief systems. For example, according to Davidson, Sanson and Gridley (2000), employment difficulties were explained by psychologists in terms of genetics and cultural inferiority, and motivational theories were used to explain educational underperformance. Even when research became more culturally sensitive (e.g., assessing performance on familiar tasks rather than Western tests), the findings were couched in terms of genetics and culture, with the solution to the “problem” being a radical cultural reconditioning (Davidson et al, 2000).…”