Developing Diversity in the Clinical Psychology Profession

Developing Diversity in the clinical Psychology craftThe trading of clinical psychological science is currentlypredominatelypredominantly clear, female and nitty-gritty class. What canbe done to ensure that we become a more diverse andinclusive professing?Word count1.256The question of how the champaign can be do more can be made more diverse and inclusive is one that has been much explored in the clinical psychological science community in Britain as well as in separatewise countries.This essay al menial for examine strategies and initiatives previously put in place in order to recruit clinical psychologists from a wider crime syndicate of applicants, and look at how successful much(prenominal) initiatives capture been.Finally, the discussion will focus on what seems to be the best way forward for the profession in its efforts to more closely suppose the disparate communities of which it serves.The skewed demographics of the profession efficacy be at least partiall y responsible for the low usage rates of clinical psychology services by black, cultural minority and male UK citizens.An influential BPS comprehend entitled railroad siding approach shot within undergraduate psychology pedagogics and its implications for professional psychology Gender, baulk and ethnical variation was create in recent eldrecently published (Turpin Fensom, 2004). The report revealed that solely 5.8% of UK clinical psychologists were recruited from ethnic minorities, and that a mere 23% were men.These figures called indicated a need for greater efforts to increase the number of recruits from black and other ethnic minority (BME) and disabled communities.The report referred to the work of Davenhill et al. (1989), who made a number of recommendations to widen access of BME groups into clinical psychology training. Unfortunately, little progress was made.RZ2The BPS has, however, demonstrated an ongoing dedication to deal with this complex matter, such as the setting up of a Race and Culture particular Interest Group. Amongst the Groups aims and objectives is a stated commitment to promote strategies that increase Black and Minority Ethnic Communities to the profession of Clinical Psychology, RZ3and to promote the view that training in clinical psychology should reflect the needs of people from Black and Minority Ethnic Communities (Reference).RZ4A historied contri furtherion has in addition been made by the BPS s standing(a) Committee for the Promotion of Equal Opportunities, which amongst other valuable functions, monitors levels of minority facsimile within the BPS. According to the most recent available figures, these BPS initiatives have not as yet had significant impact on diversity and inclusiveness, but it is perhaps too early to condemn them as poor and ineffectual.Turpin and Fensoms 2004 report (2004) gives interesting figures, showing that psychology is hugely popular as an undergraduate discipline with approximately 8 0,000 applicants a year, of which 79 per centumage argon female. In the field of psychology, BME students are more highly stand for at 12 pct compared with the rest of the population studying other subjects.The same study also found that out of those from a BME background, only 1.4 percent are successful in their clinical training applications, compared with 3.95 percent of those who are unobjectionable, and 3.5 percent who are male.With regard to clinical training, approximately 9.4 percent of students are of a BME background, whereas only 6.2 percent of these are successful. Of the 90.6 percent who find themselves to be white however, the success rate is 93 percent.These data crown towards highly complex reasons for a profession dominated by white females of a middleclass background. Gender bias in psychology has been recognised for some years (Morris et.al, 1992). It is likely that the nature of the discipline appeals more to females than men. RZ5But it might also be influ enced by lack of knowledge of the true nature of psychology as well as that of future career possibilities. Amongst the practical measures announced in the BPS report mentioned above, were a recruitment video to be used in schools, and an initiative to make careers advisors more aware of the physical exertion opportunities offered by clinical psychology. RZ6It can be argued that the mere process of labour clinical training in itself is likely to exclude authorized kindly groups. RZ7The ratio of applicants far outweighs the places available, 29.3 per cent in 2002 (Turpin and Fensom, 2004) and this in itself is likely to warn some people. In addition to high schoolman entrance requirements, s several years of relevant experience is required, Working as an champion psychologist does not in itself necessarily give opportunities for a career, and even years of experience do not always guarantee acceptance into clinical training. This can give an impression of uncertainty in additi on to the likeliness of eventually being in substantial financial debt. RZ8All these factors could partly explain the reduction in applications from students from a BME background. Little is known slightly the perception of psychology as a vocation within or across different ethnic groups and culture. Darr (1998) found that ethnic applicants to higher education undervalued allied health professions as career choice and chose more tralatitious careers instead.RZ9 Research has also shown that BME students obtain fewer 2.1 and 1.st degrees than their fellow white students (Pathak, 2000). This in itself might partly explain the drop in applications to clinical training, but it does not explain why fewer applicants from BME groups are successful compared to their white peers (Turpin and Fensom 2004, Boyle et al, 1993). Turpin and Fensom doubt that an explicit discrimination factor at short lean and interview would simply account for this. But in addition to the academic criteria and the necessary working experience, applicants are also vetted through interviews and other tasks. (Phillips, Hatton Gray, 2001).It is enticing to hypothesise, building on knowledge from social psychology, that applicants from minority backgrounds may gamble greater difficulties in conveying their knowledge and personal abilities.RZ10The important last of wider diversity within clinical psychology is to ensure that the Mental wellness Service can offer adequate therapy for minority and socially excluded groups. much male clinical psychologists from different backgrounds might ensure that the Mental health Service is accessible to these groups.More interrogation is needed to give an reasonableness of the gender differences and how psychology is perceived as a career in different ethnic groups. Research into exactly why, or at what stage, ethnic minorities fail in the vetting process might be helpful.RZ11ReferencesRZ12Widening access within undergraduate psychology education and its implications for professional psychology Gender, disability and ethnic diversity, (BPS, 2004)BPS Equal Opportunities PolicyDavenhill R, Hun H, Piallary H M, Harris A Klein Y (1989). Training and selection issues in clinical psychology for black and minority ethnic groups from an equal opportunities perspective. Clinical Psychology Forum,21 34-36Darr, A. (1998) Improving the recruitment and holding of Asian students on nursing, midwifery, radiography and physiotherapy courses A qualitative research study.Bradford and Airedale Health Related Strategy Group.Morris,P., Cheung,D. Smith,H. (1992) How and why applicants choose to study psychology at university.The Psychologist,5,Pathak,S. (2000) Research report topic, race research for the future ethnicity. In Education, Training and the Labour Market. Department of Education and Employment,UKPhillips,A.,Hatton,C. Gray,l. (2001) Which selection methods do clinical psychology courses use? Clinical Psychology,8 19-24RZ1RZ2Can you prov ide a quote from the report here to illustrate why little progress was made? What are the criteria for progress in this area?RZ3What are these strategies?RZ4Yes, dont depart to reference this quoteRZ5Why? Support this assertion.RZ6You may want to pack abject this explanation of practical measures to the previous page, where the question of strategies is raised initially.RZ7Why? Are certain social groups less demonstrably likely to display the work ethical code necessary to complete clinical training?RZ8Good point.RZ9Does Darr hypothesise why this might be so?RZ10Why is it tempting? Internalized racism?RZ11Miid 22 Standard. You should consider spending less time describing the particulars of the problem and more time analyzing why the problem exists and what might be done about it. Otherwise, well-written and well-sourced.RZ12K c