Define multicultural psychology and one principle of cultural competence.

• A. The study of how culture influences mental health and behavior; principle: researchers should consider cultural context and avoid ethnocentrism.
• B. The study of heredity only.
• C. Psychology ignoring cultural differences.
• D. The study of culture-free norms.

Answer: (A)

Multicultural psychology studies how culture shapes mental health, behavior, and experience, recognizing that values, norms, language, and social roles influence what counts as distress, how people cope, and how help is sought and provided. A key principle of cultural competence is to consider cultural context and avoid ethnocentrism. Practically, this means being aware of your own cultural biases, seeking to understand a client’s cultural background, and adapting assessment, interpretation, and intervention to fit their cultural frame—using culturally valid tools, involving family or community when appropriate, and respecting culturally sanctioned ways of expressing distress instead of imposing one-size-fits-all standards.