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Celebrating Diversity Within and Promoting Diversity Throughout
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by Melanie M. Domenech Rodríguez, PhD - Psi Chi Director of Diversity
Categories: Diversity
Dubos’ perspective is no doubt informed by his microbiology
background and the fact that genetic variation increases
an organism’s chances of survival. In psychology, there is
a great deal of psychological research that supports embracing
diversity-affirming stances. Variables such as openness to experience,
cognitive flexibility, adaptability, general clinical competence,
among many others, have been related to diversity-embracing
attitudes and beliefs. Diversity-affirming stances are productive for
individuals, and also in organizations, showing positive outcomes
in schools and work settings. Our profession has explicitly stated
diversity-affirming values through the ethics code of our major
professional association, the American Psychological Association
(2010), as well as through the Guidelines on Multicultural
Education, Training, Research, Practice, and Organizational Change
for Psychologists (2003).
With the start of the second decade of the 21st century, Psi Chi,
the International Honor Society in Psychology, continued on its trek
towards improved integration of diversity issues with the creation
of a new Director of Diversity post. The vision for this initiative was
summarized in an affirmative commitment: “Psi Chi shall ensure
that the Society reflects the rich diversity of people and perspectives
in psychology.”
Three main goals were articulated for achieving this affirmative
commitment:
Goal 1: Develop infrastructure for attending to diversity issues within
Psi Chi.
Goal 2: Support diversity in the science and practice of psychology.
Goal 3: Develop methods of assessing the degree to which Psi Chi
is meeting its diversity initiatives goals, assess the goals in
a timely manner, and use the resulting data to develop and
implement additional action steps.
The first goal was addressed with the creation of the Director of
Diversity position as well as the Diversity Advisory Committee. The
Psi Chi Board of Directors also put significant financial commitment
behind this initiative, approving $7,500 in expenditures for
fiscal year 2012 to ensure the success of their efforts. Goals 2 and 3
will be addressed through actions at many levels. The ball is already
rolling! I attended the National Latina/o Psychological Association
meeting in late fall of 2010, where Psi Chi hosted a student
movie and pizza night. Early this spring, I attended the National
Multicultural Conference & Summit to speak directly to members
and solicit committed volunteers for the Diversity Advisory Board.
I am currently drafting proposals for new awards and grants that
will shine a spotlight on our members’ efforts to promote diversity
in their research.
These are the first steps in a long list of ideas for ensuring that
Psi Chi’s diversity-affirming values are clearly evident to our
members. Consistent with an understanding on the complexities of
recognizing and celebrating diversity, specific initiatives may vary
over time and circumstance. Currently a major focus is addressing
issues of race, culture, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and
physical ability. In order to meet the three main goals, initiatives will
span their reach across areas including diversity in membership,
Central Office staff, elected officers, and programmatic activities,
grants, and awards.
Some specific planned actions include:
- Attendance at specialty conferences where diversity issues are central
- Establish awards and grants on diversity topics
- Increase diversity of grant reviewers for Psi Chi grant competitions
- Increase number of diversity-focused submissions to the Eye on Psi Chi
and the Journal of Undergraduate Research
- Increase diversity of reviewers for the Journal of Undergraduate Research
- Support regional psychological associations’ efforts to infuse diversity in
their conference programs
- Develop an on-line resource bank on diversity issues that would be helpful to
our members
- Encourage charter applications from minority-serving institutions
This is a long list, and progress will proceed in stages. However, the list can
grow. I will depend on members’ input as to what you think needs to be added. I
welcome specific ideas as well as global observations.
Psi Chi has devoted significant time and effort to evaluating and supporting
diversity since 2002, when Dr. Elliott Hammer (Xavier University of Louisiana)
formed and chaired a task force charged with increasing diversity presence
within the Psi Chi. Dr. Carla Reyes, then Rocky Mountain Regional
Vice-President, served as a liaison to the Board of Directors. In 2004, the
Diversity Task Force submitted a detailed report outlining specific actions that
would incorporate diversity into Psi Chi and show the Society’s commitment to
supporting diversity. At the time, the Board of Directors adopted a motion to
add a diversity “sub end” to Psi Chi’s mission statement, namely, “Recognize and
foster the contributions that diversity makes to the science and practice of
psychology.” (Psi Chi, 2011). Later in 2010, Psi Chi approved a budget to
support diversity initiatives at the regional level. That commitment has now
reached a Society-wide level. As a past regional Vice-President for Psi Chi, I
am excited to see this continued evolution toward greater expressed commitment
to diversity. As a member of Psi Chi, I am proud to be a part of a society that
takes affirmative steps toward celebrating diversity in our membership and in
our profession.
References
American Psychological Association. (2003). Guidelines on multicultural
education, training, research, practice, and organizational change for
psychologists. American Psychologist, 58, 377-402.
American Psychological Association. (2010). Ethical principles of
psychologists and code of conduct: 2010 amendments. Retrieved from
http://www.apa.org/ethics/code/index.aspx
Psi Chi (2011). Purpose & Mission Statements. Retrieved from
http://www.psichi.org/About/purpose.aspx
Summer 2011 issue of Eye on Psi Chi (Vol. 15, No. 4, p. 17), published
by Psi Chi, The International Honor Society in Psychology (Chattanooga, TN). Copyright,
2011, Psi Chi, The International Honor Society in Psychology. All rights reserved.