Multiculturalism is a theoretical, political, and educational perspective that has had great influence within contemporary psychology but of which the meaning and implications are not yet fully understood. In Multiculturalism and Diversity, Bernice Lott uses the lenses of social and critical psychology to illuminate the meaning and scope of culture and its relationship with diversity. Lott posits that all human beings in contemporary society are multicultural and focuses on the many dimensions and politics of culture and how these shape individual identities. The definition of culture guiding this book is one that is inclusive and pertains to many human groups, large and small. The author argues that such an approach provides an authentic way of understanding how significant group memberships affect individual self-definition, experience, behavior, and social interaction. Multiculturalism and Diversity positions multicultural psychology as an active, changing, and dynamic field and is sure to stimulate reasoned debate, discussion, and questions for further empirical inquiry.
"Readers will enjoy its clarity, succinctness, and current examples. A timely contribution, the book can enrich training for research or practice and should prove valuable for anyone interested in culture and diversity." (Psychology of Women Quarterly, 2011)
"For instructors and researchers looking for new and better ways to define and describe the difficult constructs of culture, diversity, and multiculturalism, Multiculturalism and Diversity lives up to the task....... Furthermore, its individual chapters may serve as helpful stand-alone treatises on the four major cultural groups." (PsycCRITIQUES, September 15, 2010)
"A very good introduction for academics and (separately) the truly provincial for whom college is the first step out of their cultural womb." (Prometheus 6, January 2010)"Incisive, wise, and extremely thought-provoking is the new book byBernice Lott. From her brilliant observation that all of us aremulticultural flows a narrative that invites us to re-think issuesof self and society. The implications of Lott's analyses are bothexciting and profound. A great book!"
-Faye J. Crosby, University of California, Santa Cruz
"This book is truly unique. Integrating research and theories,the author makes a case that every individual is multicultural andfurther elucidates how contexts, roles, and power differentialsunderlie the conditions of major ethnic/gender/social class/sexualorientation groups. Written in an engaging and accessible manner,this book is suitable for any course on multiculturalism anddiversity."
-Ying-yi Hong, University of Illinois atUrbana-Champaign, USA, and Nanyang Technological University,Singapore
"Multiculturalism and Diversity -- two words that capturethe essence of our contemporary social worlds. In this book BerniceLott explores the social psychological impact of culturaldiversity. The result is a resounding success: The writing iscogent, the examples striking, the analysis clear and insightful.Lott's comprehensive and compelling thesis represents asignificant advance in our efforts to understand the evolvingnature of self in multicultural societies."
-Richard J. Crisp, University of Kent
"For instructors and researchers looking for new and better ways to define and describe the difficult constructs of culture, diversity, and multiculturalism, Multiculturalism and Diversity lives up to the task....... Furthermore, its individual chapters may serve as helpful stand-alone treatises on the four major cultural groups." (PsycCRITIQUES, September 15, 2010)
"A very good introduction for academics and (separately) the truly provincial for whom college is the first step out of their cultural womb." (Prometheus 6, January 2010)"Incisive, wise, and extremely thought-provoking is the new book byBernice Lott. From her brilliant observation that all of us aremulticultural flows a narrative that invites us to re-think issuesof self and society. The implications of Lott's analyses are bothexciting and profound. A great book!"
-Faye J. Crosby, University of California, Santa Cruz
"This book is truly unique. Integrating research and theories,the author makes a case that every individual is multicultural andfurther elucidates how contexts, roles, and power differentialsunderlie the conditions of major ethnic/gender/social class/sexualorientation groups. Written in an engaging and accessible manner,this book is suitable for any course on multiculturalism anddiversity."
-Ying-yi Hong, University of Illinois atUrbana-Champaign, USA, and Nanyang Technological University,Singapore
"Multiculturalism and Diversity -- two words that capturethe essence of our contemporary social worlds. In this book BerniceLott explores the social psychological impact of culturaldiversity. The result is a resounding success: The writing iscogent, the examples striking, the analysis clear and insightful.Lott's comprehensive and compelling thesis represents asignificant advance in our efforts to understand the evolvingnature of self in multicultural societies."
-Richard J. Crisp, University of Kent