Psychology Research Methods: Whiteness and Qualitative Inquiry

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Questions and Answers

What does colorblind racism enable individuals to do?

See all racial differences clearly

Support racial diversity initiatives

Engage in active anti-racism efforts

Overlook societal white privilege (correct)

How does colorblind ideology affect perceptions of whiteness?

It de-racializes and normalizes whiteness (correct)

It encourages a more equitable treatment of races

It makes whiteness a visible issue in society

It promotes awareness of racial dynamics

What is a main critique of traditional postpositivist psychology training?

It encourages subjective interpretations

It includes critical social theories

It fails to acknowledge societal influences (correct)

It is overly focused on qualitative methods

What do critical psychologists advocate for in research?

Theoretically informed analytical scrutiny Signup and view all the answers

Who primarily shaped the formative roots of psychology according to the text?

Primarily White men Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential outcome of adopting critical theories in psychology?

Enhanced recognition of racial dynamics Signup and view all the answers

What may be considered a threatening aspect of critical theories within psychological research?

Their challenge to existing power structures Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of epistemological transparency in qualitative research?

To ensure credibility in findings Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of the multidimensional ecological comparative approach framework in psychotherapy?

Understanding cultural encounters Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following topics is addressed by critical whiteness pedagogy?

Breaking down whiteness in educational contexts Signup and view all the answers

What is a key theme discussed in the work of Milner IV concerning researcher positionality?

Influence of race and culture on research Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primary outcomes sought by the review of instruments measuring whiteness?

Call to action for social justice Signup and view all the answers

According to the research on coding in qualitative analysis, what is an essential aspect of reflexivity?

Recognition of the researcher's influence Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a focus of the demographic study on the US psychology workforce?

Diversity within the workforce Signup and view all the answers

What is an important consideration in conducting qualitative research according to Mauthner and Doucet?

Creating reflexive accounts of the analysis Signup and view all the answers

In the context of teaching social justice in counseling psychology, what is a critical point made by Motulsky et al.?

Integrating social justice themes into practices Signup and view all the answers

What are the two types of coding mentioned in the content?

Inductive coding and deductive coding Signup and view all the answers

What is a key challenge faced by students during the coding exercise?

Overwhelm from inductive coding Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using a codebook in the coding process?

To categorize and organize codes Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes microaggressions as mentioned in the content?

They are subtle but can significantly affect experiences. Signup and view all the answers

Why is there an emphasis on engaging the researcher self in applying critical theory?

It strengthens the focus on social issues. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect does the large-group discussion focus on during the coding exercise?

Inter-coder reliability and analytic interpretations Signup and view all the answers

What opportunity does the struggle to discern microaggressions provide for students?

A chance to discuss distraction from understanding experiences Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following groups is mentioned in acknowledging the land on which the University of Arkansas was founded?

Osage, Caddo, and Quapaw Nations Signup and view all the answers

What effect did discussing the concept of whiteness have on White students?

They began to consider their presence in the field. Signup and view all the answers

How did BIPOC students perceive the use of images in discussions?

It aided their reflections on socialization processes. Signup and view all the answers

What challenge did some students face when engaging in discussions about racism?

They struggled to intellectualize their experiences. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following terms describes the phenomenon that students were encouraged to engage with?

Color-blind ideology. Signup and view all the answers

What was one outcome of connecting discussions to broader readings?

It helped students model disagreement with each other effectively. Signup and view all the answers

Why was the discussion of whiteness considered both universalized and personalized?

It applied to all students but highlighted unique lived experiences. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary goal of the activity involving the reflection on whiteness and BIPOC experiences?

To enhance students' awareness of self in research. Signup and view all the answers

What was the effect of focusing discussions on photographs during reflections?

It provided a neutral point for students to focus on. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the initial observation exercise conducted by students?

Recording observations without interaction Signup and view all the answers

How long does the entire activity, including group discussions, take?

1.5–2 hours Signup and view all the answers

What significant characteristics does the class develop regarding whiteness?

Ten significant characteristics Signup and view all the answers

What common challenge did group facilitators face during the discussions?

Maintaining a researcher stance Signup and view all the answers

What was a common anxiety expressed by white student participants?

Concern about sounding racist Signup and view all the answers

After the guided observation, what do students return to the field to do?

Direct observations based on whiteness characteristics Signup and view all the answers

How did BIPOC students feel about voicing their opinions during the discussions?

Anxious about being silenced Signup and view all the answers

What was the goal of the large-group discussion at the end of the class?

To discuss reactions to focus groups and photo elicitation Signup and view all the answers

What is one primary outcome of surfacing whiteness in research and psychology?

It leads to the development of a more inclusive field. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of whiteness refers to it as a cultural phenomenon that often goes unnoticed?

Invisible, normed whiteness Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of integrating researcher positionality into discussions of ethics and rigor?

To foster a reflexive engagement among students. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common response of students when discussing whiteness in research settings?

Pushback, anger, and discomfort. Signup and view all the answers

Which instructional method is used to consolidate learning in a semester-long course?

Maintaining a semester-long researcher’s journal. Signup and view all the answers

What kind of activities are developed to help students recognize whiteness?

Experiential activities and guided discussions. Signup and view all the answers

What is one expected component of the structured weekly classes in this curriculum?

An initial review of readings. Signup and view all the answers

What element does the curriculum integrate into discussions about whiteness?

Philosophical assumptions of various research traditions. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Integrating Qualitative Inquiry and Critical Whiteness in Psychology Research Methods Courses

This paper merges two underrepresented elements in psychology: critical whiteness and qualitative methodologies.
Research methods courses often neglect issues like race and racism, and qualitative inquiry.
The paper reviews relevant literature on qualitative research in psychology and critical whiteness.
The author proposes three experiential learning activities in qualitative methods, focusing on whiteness: observations, photovoice, and qualitative coding.
These activities aim to improve student skill development in qualitative methods and expose students to aspects of whiteness.

Critical Whiteness

Whiteness is a multifaceted ideology ingrained in the U.S.
It includes racial identity, structural dimensions (psychological, social, economic-material).
Whiteness maintains and constrains cultural practices, values, and attitudes.
White supremacy is invisible to many white people, and is often presented as a universal norm in the U.S.
Colorblind racism is a form of racism that de-racializes and norms whiteness, making white privilege and supremacy practically unnoticed.

Qualities of Qualitative Research Methods

Psychology students are often introduced to research methods in a theoretical vacuum, based on positivism and post-positivism.
Qualitative research remains underrepresented in psychology programs, with only a small percentage of programs requiring/offering qualitative research classes.
Qualitative methods focus on contextualization, discovering patterns, and understanding cultural nuances.
Critical race theory and qualitative research utilize multiple social theories and perspectives to culturally critique dominant research methods.

Teaching Implications/Activities

Activity 1: Observing the Field: Whiteness as Culture: Students observe campus locations to understand social processes related to whiteness and its influence.
Activity 2: Uncovering Colorblind Racism Through Photovoice: Students use photo documentation and focus groups to understand and critique colorblind racism by identifying its presence and implications in society.
Activity 3: Coding for Racial Microaggressions: Students code interview or observational transcripts, identifying and analyzing cultural microaggressions.

Conclusion

The activities provide a pathway to teach critical concepts while cultivating important methodological analysis skills.
These methods help students become more critically aware of their own inherent biases.
Increasing understanding and critical awareness of how whiteness functions in society.

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Description

This quiz explores the integration of critical whiteness and qualitative methodologies in psychology research methods courses. It highlights the significance of addressing race and racism while engaging students in experiential learning activities. Participants will reflect on relevant literature and the proposed activities designed to enhance qualitative research skills and understanding of whiteness.