Over Expansion and Over Diagnosing of Mental Disorders
Correlations to African-American Bias
Deanesha Ava Collins
Florida A&M University
OVER EXPANSION AND OVER DIAGNOSING OF MENTAL DISORDERS 2 Abstract
This paper explores the scholarly research and my personal critique and reaction to the over expansion of mental disorders and how it relates to race and culture amongst African Americans in particular. My position on the issue leans towards that over diagnosing is a major issue due to the fact many African Americans are misdiagnosed because they are being held to the social normality’s of Caucasian culture. Also the correlation …show more content…
Empirical data is tested and it has been rumored to be not be 100 percent reliable. As scientist it is their jobs to discover truths about the world (Simmons) They generate hypotheses, collect data, and examine whether the data or not is consistent with the hypothesis (Simmons). Numerous factors play a role in collecting and analyzing data. For example sample size, where and the number of people you research during your study. When collecting data from your sample size if not done correctly you could sample people from the same community and have the same cultural background and the research is still bias because of the lack of diversity. If the data collected is bias or false anything can be considered …show more content…
Today it is at an all-time due to the constant changes being made in the DSM today. Many factors play into the revision being made whether it be financial gain from pharmaceutical community tides or the ultimate goal to mentally enslave non-whites and poor people period. Same outlook with over
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diagnosing, systematic and institutionalized racism is definitely the core of the excessive amount of both from my perspective. In the field of psychology I would love to see more race psychologist like my processor Dr. Jermaine Robertson. When we have a louder voice in the field then we can help fully bring consciousness and wellness to our people.
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References
Akbar, Na'im. (1978). Cultural Expressions of the African American Child. [Washington, D.C.] : Distributed by ERIC Clearinghouse, http://www.eric.ed.gov/contentdelivery/servlet/ERICServlet?accno=ED179633
Pomerantz, Andrew (2014). Clinical Psychology: Science, Practice, and Culture (3rd Edition, DSM-5 Update).
Simmons, J. P., Nelson, L. D., & Simonsohn, U. (2011). False-positive psychology: Undisclosed flexibility in data collection and analysis allows presenting anything as significant. Psychological science, 22(11),