First Nations Australians and Psychology: An Introduction

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Abstract

This subject prepares students to engage with all First Nations Australians by teaching them the knowledge and skills to work respectfully and effectively. The pedagogical approach, Yindyamaldhuray Yalbilinya Mawan, gives an insight into the traditional ways of learning that have been handed down through the generations by Elders. This subject will provide knowledge of First Nations Australian cultures and information which assists students to deconstruct and reconstruct Australian culture, the discipline of Psychology, the First Nations Australian backstory, and the implications of this for contemporary professional practice. Students will be guided through Yindyamaldhuray Yalbilinya Muwang to incorporate these elements into discipline-specific approaches, respectful communication, self-reflection and an understanding of generic cultural manners, which are required to work respectfully and effectively in First Nations Australian contexts.

Syllabus

The relevance of this subject for future professional work in the field of Psychology.Characteristics of First Nations Australian cultures prior to invasion including; spirituality, Creation, the Dreaming, the importance of family structures.The ways in which pre-invasion cultural practices sustained psychological health and wellbeing. First Nations Australian methods of healing.The historical, … For more content click the Read More button below.

The relevance of this subject for future professional work in the field of Psychology.
Characteristics of First Nations Australian cultures prior to invasion including; spirituality, Creation, the Dreaming, the importance of family structures.
The ways in which pre-invasion cultural practices sustained psychological health and wellbeing. First Nations Australian methods of healing.
The historical, socio-economic and political processes of invasion. First Nations Australians resistance and resilience.
The forcible removal of children including the Stolen Generations, transgenerational trauma and related psychological illness. First Nations Australian resistance and resilience.
The psychology of cultural bias and racism. The different levels of racism. discipline perspectives on addressing the levels of racism.
The concepts of White Priviledge and its effect on socioeconomic disadvantage and psychological health and well-being of First Nations Australians. First Nations Australian perspectives on addressing White privilege and socioeconomic disadvantage.
Deconstruction of the discipline of Psychology and its historical development to present day.
Self and professional reflection and implications for citizenship and professional practice.
Social justice and contemprary issues impactiing upon, or of concern to Australian First Nations people today. The importance of these factors when working in the field of psychology.
Respectful engagement and generic cultural manners.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

be able to describe pre-invasion Australian First Nations cultures and explain how cultural practices sustained psychological health and well-being over time.

be able to explain the impact of invasion and the political policies and practices that followed, including the impact of the Stolen Generations and other historical traumas on the psychological health and well-being of First Nations Australians.

be able to examine cultural bias, the way that the concept of White Privilege evolved and consider their effects on socioeconomic disadvantage and the psychological health and well-being of First Nations Australians.

be able to reflect on their own culture and examine the culture of the discipline of Psychology and its historical development in Australia.

be able to describe social justice and explain its importance when working in the field of Psychology.

be able to apply relevant knowledge and skills; respectful communications, self-reflection, and generic cultural manners to facilitate respectful and effective engagement with First Nations Australians when working in the field of Psychology.