The Social Psychology of Black–White Interracial Interactions: Implications for Culturally Competent Clinical Practice

Abstract

Social psychological research suggests that because of concerns about being perceived in stereotypical ways, people may experience negative affect and diminished attention and cognitive capacity during interracial interactions. The authors discuss this research in relation to therapy and assessment and also offer practical suggestions for ensuring culturally competent professional practice. La investigación en el campo de la psicología social sugiere que, debido a la preocupación por ser percibida de forma estereotipada, la gente puede experimentar sentimientos negativos y un nivel reducido de atención y capacidad cognitiva durante interacciones interraciales. Los autores discuten esta investigación en relación a la terapia y evaluación, y también ofrecen sugerencias prácticas para asegurar una práctica profesional culturalmente competente.

Inverting the power dynamic: The process of first sessions of psychotherapy with therapists of color and non-Latino white patients.

“…Interracial therapy relationships are likely to reflect the broader societal conflicts and racial anxieties that can be traced to the long U.S. history of systematic oppression of racial minorities (Gaztambide, 2012). As a result, visible racial differences often activate negative affect, stereotyping, cultural mistrust, self-consciousness, and assumptions of misunderstanding, which can hinder the establishment of a strong therapeutic relationship (Jordan, Lovett, & Sweeton, 2012; Watkins, Terrell, Miller, & Terrell, 1989). However, there is scant empirical research examining how these dynamics may play out in interracial therapy involving therapists of color, particularly those working with NLW patients.…”

Power, powerlessness, and the parallel process.

“…Furthermore, visible racialized features can activate implicit negative associations such as negative affect, stereotyping, cultural mistrust, self-consciousness, and assumptions of misunderstandings. These automatic racially informed biases may hinder the establishment of a strong supervisory alliance (Jordan, Lovett, & Sweeton, 2012). This research reinforces the importance of integrating a multicultural orientation into one’s existing theory of supervision, particularly in light of the experiences that trainees of color report in cross-ethnic and cross-racial supervisory dyads (Norcross et al, 1996).…”