From Psychology Of Race To Issue Of Skin Color: Western Trivialization And Peoples Of African Descen

Abstract

In the aftermath of Western domination is the trivialization of skin color as significant issue among peoples of African descent. Regrettably, research by psychologists the world over emphasize race in the study of human social conditions. Despite the fact that race is increasingly irrelevant Western psychologists continually adhere to it and are at a severe disadvantage. Oblivious to the implications of skin color their attempts to comprehend stereotypes, discrimination and various issues attributed to race vis-à-vis African peoples is an exercise in futility. It is not compulsory to discard Western perspectives at the expense of social fact, but psychologists should familiarize themselves with African perspectives as a critical point of reference to the social issues of African descended people. In sustaining the integrity and prestige of the profession will require concepts and a perspective less confined to Western domination.


Ife PsychologIA Vol.12(1) 2004: 7-17