Emerging Issues in Multicultural Psychology

997 Words4 Pages
Multicultural psychology is developing as a necessary training for individuals working in human services, especially in psychology. Race, sex, color, or even religions are often an important part of training in multicultural psychology, but with new issues these basic factors need expansion. Obesity is a common factor many Americans struggle with as more than two-thirds of the population deals with, but training on is severely lacking for human services workers (Pascal & Kerpius, 2012). Mapping the human gene will also bring new information but also fear and unknown problems. Obesity Psychologists must work to maintain awareness on bias and perception to ensure appropriate assistance is provided to every client. The issues of race, color, or even age many view as elements an individual has no control over but obesity appears to be a choice. The views of many are that an individual who is obese or overweight is that way by choice or laziness resulting in a negative bias that can prevent therapeutic treatment (Pascal & Kerpius, 2012). Viewing an individual as obese also lends to beliefs of he or she is unintelligent, less productive, but caring (Pascal & Kerpius, 2012). The views of others can have long-term effects on an individual and create low self esteem as well as issues such as binge eating and depression. In a situation in which a therapist maintains these views it can exacerbate these issues taking a therapeutic relationship and creating a harmful one (Pascal & Kerpius, 2012). The professional may not be aware of bias but without understanding obesity and its multicultural effects harm can occur. The first impression a professional has when meeting a potential client will affect the entire relationship, including the diagnosis, possible treatments, and outcomes (Pascal & Kerpius, 2012). These first impressions are not intentional for the
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