This study reviews the empirical and theoretical articles published in The Journal of Black Psychology from 1974–1980. A standard coding form consisting of 28 variables was developed and pretested. Two independent raters examined 62 articles. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA) to examine trends over time. The results indicated (a) an increase in empirically-based research articles and a decline in the number of political/idealogical ones, (b) a small but significant increase in the number of articles that used the traditional deficit orientation to explain Black behavior, and (c) major methodological problems in several articles. Findings focus on the need for explanatory models of behavior based on Afro-graphic experiences of Black people, on the need to recognize the cultural diversity of the Black community, and on the necessity for greater attention to methodological issues.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AkbarN. African roots of Black personality. In SmithW. D.BurlewK. H.MosleyM. H.WhitneyW. M. (Eds.), Reflections on Black Psychology. Washington, D.C.: University Press of America, 1979, pp. 79–98.
2.
AkbarN. Our destiny: Authors of a scientific revolution. The Fifth Conference on Empirical Research in Black Psychology. Washington, D.C.: The National Institute of Mental Health, 1981, pp. 3–10.
3.
BanksW. C.Deconstructive falsification: Foundations of critical method in Black psychology. In JonesE. E.KorchinS. (Eds.), Minority Mental Health. New York: Praeger, 1982.
4.
BarnesE.J.The Black community as the source of positive self-concept for Black children: A theoretical perspective. In JonesR. L. (Ed.), Black Psychology. New York: Harper & Row, 1972.
5.
BillingsleyA.Black families in white America. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall, 1968.
6.
BlaunerR. Internal colonialism and ghetto revolt. Social Problems, 1969, 16(4), 393–408.
7.
BoykinA. W.Black psychology and the research process: Keeping the baby but throwing out the bath water. In BoykinA. W.AndersonA. J.YatesJ. F. (Eds.), Research directions of Black psychologists. New York: Russell Sage Foundation, 1979, pp. 85–103.
8.
BoykinA. W.Research directions of Black psychologists. Paper presented at University of Maryland, April 1981.
9.
BoykinA. W.AndersonA. J.YatesJ. F. (Eds.). Research directions of Black psychologists. New York: Russell Sage Foundation, 1979.
10.
CrossW. E.Jr. The Negro-to-Black conversion experience: Toward a psychology of Black liberation. Black World, 1971, 20(9), 13–27.
11.
CrossW. E.Jr.Empirical analysis of the Negro-to-Black conversion experience. In BoykinA. W.AndersonA. J.YatesJ. F. (Eds.), Research directions of Black psychologists. New York: Russell Sage Foundation, 1979, pp. 107–130.
12.
DavisS. E.. The relationship between academic achievement, world views, self-esteem, perceived control and individual-versus system-blame approach among Black college students. Unpublished Master's Thesis, University of Maryland, 1981.
13.
DavisS. E.Black Psychology. Unpublished manuscript. University of Maryland, 1982.
14.
DixonV. J.World views and research methodology. In KingL. M.DixonV. J.NoblesW. W. (Eds.), African philosophy: Assumptions and paradigms for research on Black persons. Los Angeles: Fanon Center Publication, 1976, pp. 51–102.
15.
GrierW. H.CobbsP. M.Black rage. New York: Basic Books, 1968.
16.
HallW. S.CrossW. E.Jr.FreedleR. Stages in the development of Black awareness: An exploratory investigation. In JonesR. L. (Ed.), Black psychology. New York: Harper & Row, 1972, pp. 156–165.
17.
HillR. B.The strengths of black families. New York: National Urban League Publishers, 1971.
18.
JonesJ. M.Prejudice and racism. Reading: Addism-Wesley, 1972.
19.
JonesJ. M.Conceptual and strategic issues in the relationship of black psychology to American social science. In BoykinA. W.AndersonA. J.YatesJ. F. (Eds.), Research directions of Black psychologists. New York: Russell Sage Foundation, 1979, pp. 390–432.
20.
JonesR. L. (Ed.). Black psychology (1st ed.). New York: Harper & Row, 1972.
21.
JonesR. L. (Ed.). Black psychology (2nd ed.). New York: Harper & Row, 1980.
KuhnT. S.The structure of scientific revolutions (2nd ed.). International Encyclopedia of Unified Science, 1970.
24.
LounsburyJ. W.LeaderD. S.MearesE. P.An analytic review of research in community psychology. American Journal of Community Psychology, 1980, 8(4), 415–441.
25.
NoblesW. W.African philosophy: Foundations for Black psychology. In JonesR. L. (Ed.), Black psychology. New York: Harper & Row, 1972, pp. 18–32.
26.
NoblesW. W.Extended self: Rethinking the so-called Negro self-concept. Journal of Black Psychology, 1976, 2(2), 14–24.
27.
NovacoR. W.MonahanJ. Research in community psychology. American Journal of Community Psychology, 1980, 8(2), 131–145.
28.
ParhamT. A.HelmsJ. E.The influence of Black students' racial identity attitudes on preferences for counselor's race. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 1981, 28(3), 250–257.
29.
PoussaintA. F.A Negro psychiatrist explains the Negro psyche. In YoungC. (Ed.), Black experience: Analysis and synthesis. San Rafael: Leswing Press, 1972, pp. 195–199.
30.
U.S. Department of Labor: The Negro family: The case for national action. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1965.
31.
WilliamsI. J., An investigation of the developmental stages of Black consciousness. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati, 1975.
32.
WilsonJ. W.The declining significance of race. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1978.
