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Culture in Mind

Mental health, culture, and ethnicity

Happiness
11 Ways to Get the Most Out of the College Experience

Ruth C White Ph.D. on June 23, 2014

Get the most bang for your student buck while enjoying the learning experience and getting the best grades of your life.

Get the most bang for your student buck while enjoying the learning experience and getting the best grades of your life.

Bias
"A Class Divided": How We Learn to Discriminate

Ruth C White Ph.D. on May 16, 2014

In celebration of the 60th anniversary of Brown vs. Board of Education, we focus on 1968 teacher Jane Elliott, who famously divided her all-white 3rd-grade class into two groups based on eye color in a powerful exercise to educate students on racism.

In celebration of the 60th anniversary of Brown vs. Board of Education, we focus on 1968 teacher Jane Elliott, who famously divided her all-white 3rd-grade class into two groups based on eye color in a powerful exercise to educate students on racism.

Self-Esteem
Black IS Beautiful: The Psychology of Lupita's People Cover

Ruth C White Ph.D. on April 26, 2014

Beginning with the Clark doll studies (1930s and '40s) and continuing through a 2010 AC360 episode on CNN, there has been overwhelming evidence that the pervasive white standard of beauty damages the self-esteem and self-image of young black children. By naming Lupita Nyong'o as The Most Beautiful in the World, People gives young black children another shade of beauty.

Beginning with the Clark doll studies (1930s and '40s) and continuing through a 2010 AC360 episode on CNN, there has been overwhelming evidence that the pervasive white standard of beauty damages the self-esteem and self-image of young black children. By naming Lupita Nyong'o as The Most Beautiful in the World, People gives young black children another shade of beauty.

Bias
Why Are We Racist?

Ruth C White Ph.D. on April 11, 2014

The sociological, psychological and genetic 'sources' of race and racism are explored in this 15 minute weekly show presented by BBC World Service.

The sociological, psychological and genetic 'sources' of race and racism are explored in this 15 minute weekly show presented by BBC World Service.

Sex
Sex and the Stigma of Money

Ruth C White Ph.D. on March 2, 2014

The question of whether or not prostitution should be legalized is a conundrum for many feminists and non-feminists alike who believe that women should be free to do with their bodies what they wish and yet there is an acknowledgement that gender power disparity muddies the waters of who is in control of the basic forces of supply and demand.

The question of whether or not prostitution should be legalized is a conundrum for many feminists and non-feminists alike who believe that women should be free to do with their bodies what they wish and yet there is an acknowledgement that gender power disparity muddies the waters of who is in control of the basic forces of supply and demand.

Psychopharmacology
The Problem of Medication Non-Adherence

Ruth C White Ph.D. on October 18, 2013

A quick summary of some of the reasons why people often do not take their medications and what can be done about it.

A quick summary of some of the reasons why people often do not take their medications and what can be done about it.

Marriage
In Defense of (Straight) Marriage

Ruth C White Ph.D. on June 24, 2013

The Supreme Court will make several decisions this week. Two of them, DOMA and Prop 8, will decide the status of marriage between same-sex couples within California. This post explores some of the ideas under consideration.

The Supreme Court will make several decisions this week. Two of them, DOMA and Prop 8, will decide the status of marriage between same-sex couples within California. This post explores some of the ideas under consideration.

Career
Long-Distance Mothering

Ruth C White Ph.D. on May 31, 2013

Parenting expectations for women are much different than they are for men. Women are encouraged to break through the glass ceiling and also expected to be the primary caregivers of children. Some women's careers and job prospects require they live in a different city/state than their children. Strategies are given for successful management of this special arrangement.

Parenting expectations for women are much different than they are for men. Women are encouraged to break through the glass ceiling and also expected to be the primary caregivers of children. Some women's careers and job prospects require they live in a different city/state than their children. Strategies are given for successful management of this special arrangement.

Sport and Competition
The Power of Perception and the Perception of Power

Ruth C White Ph.D. on March 1, 2013

Feminism tends to employ a deficit model of power which says that men have it and women do not. However, that definition of power reflects a patriarchal model that defines power through male lens. Flipping the script to make power a woman's domain requires different strategies for changing women's lives.

Feminism tends to employ a deficit model of power which says that men have it and women do not. However, that definition of power reflects a patriarchal model that defines power through male lens. Flipping the script to make power a woman's domain requires different strategies for changing women's lives.

Relationships
Alternative Gifting on Valentine's Day

Ruth C White Ph.D. on February 9, 2013

On Valentine's Day you can do the usual card, candy, cut blooms and culinary delights or impress with the gift of health or life to someone who needs it. #Alternativegifting is your way into your Valentine's heart. Show your love, make an impact, make a difference.

On Valentine's Day you can do the usual card, candy, cut blooms and culinary delights or impress with the gift of health or life to someone who needs it. #Alternativegifting is your way into your Valentine's heart. Show your love, make an impact, make a difference.

Sleep
4 Simple Steps to Mental Well-Being

Ruth C White Ph.D. on February 6, 2013

In stressful times we need strategies to cope: a healthy mind is just as important as a healthy body. The SNAP program (Sleep, Nutrition, Activity, and Personal relationships) encourages good sleep habits, healthy nutrition, exercise and social support as 4 key strategies for keeping our minds healthy, sharp, alert and calm.

In stressful times we need strategies to cope: a healthy mind is just as important as a healthy body. The SNAP program (Sleep, Nutrition, Activity, and Personal relationships) encourages good sleep habits, healthy nutrition, exercise and social support as 4 key strategies for keeping our minds healthy, sharp, alert and calm.

Bipolar Disorder
Coming Out of the Crazy Closet

Ruth C White Ph.D. on February 5, 2013

Having a mental illness is a stigmatized identity. Stigma reduces the person "from a whole and usual person to a tainted, discounted one." Goffman wrote this quote in his classic 1963 treatise on stigma. Being open about brain disorders reduces the negative impact of stigma on the health and well-being of individuals and supports people in maintaining mental well-being.

Having a mental illness is a stigmatized identity. Stigma reduces the person "from a whole and usual person to a tainted, discounted one." Goffman wrote this quote in his classic 1963 treatise on stigma. Being open about brain disorders reduces the negative impact of stigma on the health and well-being of individuals and supports people in maintaining mental well-being.

Race and Ethnicity
The Race Card

Ruth C White Ph.D. on November 20, 2012

The "race card" is something no one wants in play because it ruins the game. What is the race card? Why does it get played? Can anyone win with it? An exploration of the meaning of race in daily life in America.

The "race card" is something no one wants in play because it ruins the game. What is the race card? Why does it get played? Can anyone win with it? An exploration of the meaning of race in daily life in America.

Education
Letting Go For College: A Guide for Parents and Students

Ruth C White Ph.D. on August 19, 2012

Leaving for college changes forever the relationship between parent and child. Some families make this transition smoothly and others find it much more challenging. These five tips help families manage the home-to-college and child-to-adult transitions and minimizes the emotional effects on both parents and children.

Leaving for college changes forever the relationship between parent and child. Some families make this transition smoothly and others find it much more challenging. These five tips help families manage the home-to-college and child-to-adult transitions and minimizes the emotional effects on both parents and children.

Happiness
Mood Food

Ruth C White Ph.D. on July 25, 2012

Food makes us feel good and some foods make us feel happier than others. Food is not just about nutrition but it is also about how we feel. Here is a guide to some foods that put us in a good mood and a little about some that might not.

Food makes us feel good and some foods make us feel happier than others. Food is not just about nutrition but it is also about how we feel. Here is a guide to some foods that put us in a good mood and a little about some that might not.

Bipolar Disorder
Violence, Mental Illness and Stigma

Ruth C White Ph.D. on June 3, 2012

On May 30 in Seattle, Lee Stawicki shot five people then himself. The reports of his possible mental illness (specifically bipolar disorder) reinforced the stereotypes of people with bipolar disorder as being dangerous to society.

On May 30 in Seattle, Lee Stawicki shot five people then himself. The reports of his possible mental illness (specifically bipolar disorder) reinforced the stereotypes of people with bipolar disorder as being dangerous to society.

Education
The Mental Health Costs of Academic Success

Ruth C White Ph.D. on May 23, 2012

Learning is stressful and the modern-day education stakes are high because not only does a future ride on performance but so do the bank accounts of parents and adult students. The need for anti-anxiety and anti-depressant medications has trickled down from corporate executives to children in pressure-cooker elementary schools.

Learning is stressful and the modern-day education stakes are high because not only does a future ride on performance but so do the bank accounts of parents and adult students. The need for anti-anxiety and anti-depressant medications has trickled down from corporate executives to children in pressure-cooker elementary schools.

Friends
The Fat Taboo

Ruth C White Ph.D. on April 10, 2012

According to the most recent CDC data released in early 2012, more than one-third of Americans are obese. Among adult African American women, almost 80 percent are overweight or obese.

According to the most recent CDC data released in early 2012, more than one-third of Americans are obese. Among adult African American women, almost 80 percent are overweight or obese.