Navigating growing pains: Tensions in integrating critical race theory in psychology and strategies for addressing them

Abstract

Recently there has been an uptake in the call for research that explores race and racism within the context of psychology. Researchers can use Critical Race Theory (CRT) to do so. However, scholars within the field of psychology may confront growing pains when integrating psychology research with CRT due to their respective inquiry worldviews—postpositivism and critical—which result in several tensions pertaining to the framing of research and methods. These tensions may limit the uptake of CRT in psychology and may cause people to struggle to understand CRT. Therefore in this article, we describe (a) CRT and related frameworks, (b) tensions when integrating CRT into psychology, and (c) strategies to attenuate the tensions. Additionally, we highlight the importance of identity and the political choice of using CRT. It is critical for psychology researchers to challenge dominant postpositivist research inquiry worldviews and deconstruct what is considered “legitimate knowledge.” By doing so, we can (a) validate experiences and vast forms of knowledge that shape the reality of People of Color and our families, communities, and cultures and (b) challenge systems of oppression.

Exploring Black parents’ critical consciousness in relation to their engagement with their children's schools

“…Positionality statements function to make clear "how the identities of the authors relate to the research topic and to the identities of the participants" (Roberts et al, 2020(Roberts et al, , p. 1305. The inclusion of positionality statements supports best practices in research and recommendations made by other articles in this special issue (Nicolai et al, 2024). Aixa Marchand conducted all interviews, is a Black heterosexual, cisgender woman who is the daughter of Haitian immigrants and was raised in large diverse cities including Los Angeles and Miami.…”

“…However, qualitative inquiry does not allow for generalizability. Further, critical perspectives do not assume that findings can be replicated and/or generalized across samples (Nicolai et al, 2024). The sample of parents in this study are specific to a particular region, have children attending public schools and were interviewed at a particular point in time.…”

Focusing the critical race psychology lens: CRT and the psychological study of social issues

“…This section examines psychological research through a CRT lens. Nicolai et al (2024) begin by examining tensions that arise when integrating CRT into psychology. They argue that largely unacknowledged "growing pains" emerge while learning to use CRT in psychology research due to a lack of training and mentorship on CRT, as well as inherent tensions between CRT, psychological theory, and previous research.…”

Testimonios on participatory action research as a critical race approach to studying Southeast Asian american Refugee subjects

“…For further recommendations on incorporating CRT into psychological research, see Nicolai et al (2024). For further recommendations on conducting PAR research, see Collins et al (2018).…”