wk10 - intersectionality as liberation

what is intersectionality?

it is the interaction and cumulative effects of multiple forms of discrimination that impact the daily lives of individuals; recognising that no social identity category exists in isolation—instead, we are simultaneously positioned within multiple social categories, including race, gender, social class, sexuality, (dis)ability, and racialisation; highlighting our experience of privilege, power and oppression

how does intersectionality intersect with psychology? why is it so important?

intersectionality informs our ability in caring for consumers and clients with nuances and complexities—it articulates the multi facets of discrimination; and within psychology without understanding how complex our social identities are we fail the very people that need our care

how can intersectionality inform our practices?

intersectionality is a framework that informs how identities affect experience through privilege and oppression—in application to psychology, it allows us to move beyond Western protocols and pushes us to be more culturally and socially informed in reference to health services

what are some social inequalities that emerge from the interplay of systems of oppression and privilege?

• racism and violence

• transphobia in medicine

• access to quality healthcare

• double stigma

• discrimination (known or perceived) and bias

• lack of training and competency

• misdiagnosing and under/over prescribing

• human value vs clinical hierarchies

• justice in care

what issues do we face in research because of social inequalities?

research only participates within the majority as it is more accessible and easier to fund; as niche researches are harder to support

how do social inequalities in psychology impact the wider public or marginalised groups?

our ability of care is heavily dependent on research and accessibility—inequalities simply existing means having a harder time developing and researching on culturally and intersecting care for a multitudes of peoples

explain what it is meant by greater than minimal risk?

refers to the level of risk that participants might face by taking part in a study, specifically when that risk exceeds what they would ordinarily encounter in daily life or during routine physical or psychological tests

why would it be difficult to research with a greater than minimal risk?

it require more rigorous ethical review, typically by a full Human Research Ethics Committee—individuals therefore give up and look for something easy; leading to lower rates of research for these communities and can also be weaponized against these communities