Chavez-Dueñas, N. Y., et al. (2025).
American Psychologist, 80(4), 510–521.
Abstract
Disentangling psychology from the grip of methods, values, ways of knowing, and power structures considered normative within Western societies, all of which have been used to justify dominance and coloniality, presents a complex challenge and an ethical imperative. Psychology must rise to this challenge. This article invites readers to reflect on how coloniality influences the lives of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color in the United States and people from the Global South. The article examines the history of imperialism and colonialism. It considers how Western psychology’s ideas (i.e., psyimperialism) were spread and imposed on others (i.e., psycolonization). This approach fell short of meeting psychology’s ethical responsibilities. The article then discusses why it is critical to broaden the scope of our perspective beyond reflexive acceptance of Western ways of thinking, especially those that violate our ethical values, and weigh other approaches. We conclude with a call to action, offering questions and suggesting strategies that may be useful in moving beyond intentions and commitments to effectively decolonize our practice.
Public Significance Statement
The article examines the history of imperialism and colonialism. It explores the imposition of Western psychology’s ideas onto people from other cultures, demonstrating how psychology has sometimes strayed from its ethical values. The authors invite readers to reflect on the significance of expanding the scope of our perspective beyond reflexive acceptance of Western ways of thinking, especially those that violate our ethical values, and weigh other approaches. The article concludes with a call to action, emphasizing the importance of transforming intentions into actions.
Here are some thoughts:
This article is a critical examination of how Western psychology has historically and continues to ethically fail Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and people from the Global South through "psyimperialism" and "psycolonization." The article argues that decolonizing therapy is an "ethical imperative," urging psychologists to confront their colonial biases, transform training and practices, and embrace diverse, non-Western epistemologies. It provides historical context of Western psychology's harmful impositions and advocates for a shift towards self-reflection and the responsible use of power to avoid further harm, ultimately calling for a decolonial approach that centers cultural reclamation and justice.
