Damian Smith, a 14-year-old Afro-American youth from South Chicago, was referred to a therapist because of poor grades and a poor attitude. The boy had a chip on his shoulder and was annoyed about having to see the psychologist when he much rather be playing basketball. He also thought a lot about how his older brother, Sean, had gotten involved with a bad crowd and wound up being arrested. He felt his brother was bullied by the police and got a raw deal. The clinical psychologist who evaluated Damian, an older white man, reported a diagnosis of Antisocial Personality and Cognitive Behavior Disorder. However, the school guidance counselor disagreed with the diagnosis and arranged to have Damian re-evaluated by a different psychologist. That psychologist concurred with the guidance counselor. What might have led to the first psychologist's incorrect diagnosis?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The first psychologist probably diagnosed Damian incorrectly because he failed to take cultural attitudes into account. Damian's neighborhood, his brother's experience, and possible run-ins with the police or other authority figures he knew may have all contributed to a distrust of the therapist and unwillingness to cooperate, leading the psychologist to over-diagnose his problem.

Damian Smith, a 14-Year-Old Afro-American Youth from South Chicago, Was