The history of psychology often reflects the broader societal contexts in which it developed, including its initial neglect of diversity and the gradual recognition of cultural, racial, and gender influences on human behaviour. In a 300-word essay, explore the role of diversity in shaping psychology’s history and its current importance.

Address the following points:

– Early Challenges:
Discuss the limitations of early psychological theories and practices, particularly their tendency to generalise findings across all populations without considering cultural or contextual differences. Highlight examples such as the biases in early intelligence testing.

– Key Figures and Contributions:
Identify influential figures who advanced diversity in psychology, such as Francis Sumner, Mamie Phipps Clark, and Carol Gilligan. Describe their contributions and how they challenged dominant paradigms.

– Cultural and Gender Perspectives:
Explain the development of fields like cross-cultural psychology, indigenous psychology, and feminist psychology, emphasising their role in expanding the scope of psychological research and practice.

– Impact on Modern Psychology:
Analyse how the inclusion of diverse perspectives has enriched modern psychology, making it more applicable to varied cultural and social contexts. Mention how concepts like cultural competence and intersectionality are now central to the field.

– Ongoing Challenges:
Conclude by reflecting on the ongoing need to address diversity in psychology, particularly in research representation and access to mental health services for underserved populations. (750 to 3,000 characters) *

Foundations-1B: History of Psychology

Week 10 Essay