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African American Psychology
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African American Psychology
From Africa to America

Fourth Edition

Other Titles in:
Black Studies | Psychology

May 2018 | 640 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

African American Psychology: From Africa to America, Fourth Edition provides comprehensive coverage of the field of African American psychology. Authors Faye Z. Belgrave and Kevin W. Allison skillfully convey the integration of African and American influences on the psychology of African Americans using a consistent theme throughout the text—the idea that understanding the psychology of African Americans is closely linked to understanding what is happening in the institutional systems in the United States. The Fourth Edition reflects notable advances and important developments in the field over the last several years, and includes evidence-based practices for improving the overall well-being of African American communities.

New to the Fourth Edition

  • Coverage of current issues affecting African Americans and causing changes in the social-political environment include the Black Lives Matter movement, racial trauma, and more.
  • Content from blogs has been added to chapter-opening cover stories to reflect the more modern ways news and information are obtained.
  • More coverage of literature and research on Blacks throughout the diaspora, especially in Africa, provide historical context and documents heterogeneity among African Americans in the United States.
  • Expanded coverage of topics as a result of recent research includes LGBTQ individuals, African American fathers, colorism, intersectionality, electronic cigarettes, social media, and more.
  • More…


 
Preface
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Authors
 
SECTION I. INTRODUCTION AND HISTORICAL FOUNDATION
 
Chapter 1. Introduction to African American Psychology
Introduction, Definitions, and Conceptual Frameworks

 
Historical Perspective on the Psychological Study of African Americans

 
Study of African Americans in American Psychology

 
Self-Determination

 
Status of African American Psychology Today

 
Methodological and Research Issues

 
Critical Analysis

 
Summary

 
 
Chapter 2. African-Centered Psychology
Introduction to African-Centered Psychology and the Africentric Worldview

 
African American Psychologists and African-Centered Psychology

 
African Philosophy

 
African-Centered Research With African Americans

 
Methodological and Research Issues

 
Empirically Based Programs in Africentric Psychology

 
Critical Analysis

 
Summary

 
 
Chapter 3. Self-Attributes and Identity
Introductions, Definitions, and Conceptual Framework

 
Self-Concept Among African Americans

 
Identity: Development and Change

 
Models of Racial Identity

 
Sexual Identity

 
Acculturation, Racial Socialization, Gender Roles, and Masculinity

 
Methodological and Research Issues

 
Best Practices for Increasing Positive Racial and Ethnic Identity and Racial Socialization

 
Critical Analysis

 
Summary

 
 
Chapter 4. Race and Racism
Introduction, Definitions, and Historical Overview

 
Types of Racism

 
Consequences of Racism

 
Coping With Racism

 
Methodological and Research Issues

 
Evidenced-Based and Promising Practices for Reducing Racism

 
Critical Analysis

 
Summary

 
 
SECTION II. SOCIAL SYSTEMS AND STRUCTURES
 
Chapter 5. Kinship and Family
Definitions and Historical Background on African American Families

 
African American Family Structure

 
What Does the African American Family Look Like?

 
Strengths, Coping, and Parenting Patterns

 
Methodological and Research Issues

 
Evidenced-Based Practices for Strengthening African American Families

 
Critical Analysis

 
Summary

 
 
Chapter 6. Education and Work
Introduction and Overview

 
Research on the Educational Experiences of African Americans

 
Culture and Noncognitive Factors in Education

 
Perspectives on Work, Career, Vocations, and Employment

 
Methodological and Research Issues

 
Evidence-Based Practices for Improving Educational Outcomes

 
Critical Analysis

 
Summary

 
 
Chapter 7. Neighborhoods and Communities
Introduction and Overview

 
Demographic and Historical Perspectives on the African American Community

 
Theoretical Perspectives on Communities

 
Research on African American Communities

 
Methodological and Research Issues

 
Empirically Supported Practices and Policy for Community and Neighborhood Improvement

 
Critical Analysis

 
Summary

 
 
SECTION III. INDIVIDUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL PROCESSES
 
Chapter 8. Interpersonal and Close Relationships
Introduction, Definitions, and Historical Perspectives

 
Friendships and Peer Relationships

 
Romantic Relationships

 
Interpersonal Attraction

 
Interracial Attitudes, Friendships, and Relationships

 
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) Relationships

 
Methodological and Research Issues

 
Best Practices for Improving Relationships

 
Critical Analysis

 
Summary

 
 
Chapter 9. Cognition, Learning, and Language
Introduction, Definitions, and Historical Framework

 
Cognitive Styles

 
Learning Styles

 
Language

 
Methodological and Research Issues

 
Promising Practices for Increasing Cognitive and Language Skills

 
Critical Analysis

 
Summary

 
 
Chapter 10. Religion and Spirituality
Introduction, Definitions, and Background

 
Historical Influences

 
Contemporary African American Churches

 
The Black MegaChurch

 
Spirituality, Religion, and Well-Being

 
Contemporary Topics

 
Methodological and Research Issues

 
Empirically Based Practices Using Religion and Spirituality

 
Critical Analysis

 
Summary

 
 
Chapter 11. Life Span Development
Introduction and Definitions

 
Demographics

 
Theoretical Perspectives on the Development of African Americans

 
Research on the Development of African Americans

 
Methodological and Research Issues

 
Best Practices and Promising Interventions for Improving Developmental Outcomes

 
Critical Analysis

 
Summary

 
 
SECTION IV. ADJUSTMENT AND ADAPTATION
 
Chapter 12. Health, Illness, and Disability
Introduction, Definitions, and Background

 
Health Promotion, Disease Prevention, and Health Care Utilization

 
Models of Health and Illness Behaviors

 
Cultural Models of Health and Illness

 
Selected Health and Illness Conditions Among African Americans

 
Methodological and Research Issues

 
Empirically Supported Practices for Reducing Morbidity and Mortality

 
Critical Analysis

 
Summary

 
 
Chapter 13. Psychosocial Adaptation and Mental Health
Introduction and Definitions

 
Theoretical Perspectives on Psychological Adaptation and Dysfunction Among African Americans

 
Data on Mental Health of African Americans

 
Research on the Role of Culture, Identity, and Discrimination in Well-Being

 
Methodological and Research Issues

 
Promising and Evidence-Based Practices for Improving Mental Health Outcomes

 
Critical Analysis

 
Summary

 
 
Chapter 14. Drug Use and Abuse
Introductions, Definitions, and Historical Perspectives

 
Current Drug Use Among African Americans

 
Diversity in Substance Use and Abuse Among Blacks

 
Causes and Consequences of Drug Use

 
Methodological and Research Issues

 
Best Practices for Preventing and Treating Drug Use

 
Critical Analysis

 
Summary

 
 
Chapter 15. Prosocial and Antisocial Behavior
Introduction

 
Prosocial Behavior

 
Antisocial Behavior

 
Methodological and Research Issues

 
Best Practices for Increasing Prosocial Behavior and Decreasing Antisocial Behavior

 
Critical Analysis

 
Summary

 
 
References
 
Author Index
 
Subject Index

Faye Z. Belgrave

Faye Z. Belgrave is Professor of Psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University and the Founding Director of the Center for Cultural Experiences in Prevention. Her programmatic and research interests are in the areas of health disparities, including drug and HIV prevention among African Americans and other ethnic minorities. Dr. Belgrave’s research also focuses on the role of culture and context in prevention interventions, on women’s health, and gender related issues. Much of her work has been conducted in collaboration with community-based organizations. Dr. Belgrave is an invited speaker on the topics of African American culture,... More About Author

Kevin Wendell Allison

Kevin W. Allison is Senior Assistant to the President of Virginia Commonwealth University and a Professor in the Department of Psychology and the Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs. He completed his undergraduate degree in psychology at the University of Notre Dame and his graduate work in clinical-community psychology at DePaul University in Chicago. Prior to joining the VCU faculty, Dr. Allison worked at Pennsylvania State University and served as the Clincal Director of City Lights in Washington, DC. Dr. Allison's work has focused on understanding and addressing processes that support positive developmental outcomes for... More About Author

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ISBN: 9781506333403
$179.00