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The Psychological Study of Colonial Mentality Among Filipino Americans This research program is supported by a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) through the American Psychological Association (APA) Minority Fellowship Program. The studies conducted within this research program intend to investigate the prevalence and psychological implications of Colonial Mentality among Filipino Americans using survey and experimental methodologies. Introduction: Consistent to the colonization theories of Memmi (1965), Fannon (1965), and Freire (1970), Filipino American psychologists, historians, and other social scientists have speculated that Filipinos’ long experience of colonization under Western countries (Spain and U.S.) may have led to internalized feelings of inferiority to their past colonizers (e.g., Revilla, 1997; Rimonte, 1997, Pido, 1997, Root, 1997). They argue that colonized Filipinos were inculcated to believe that being White, Western, or American is the only “right” or “civilized” way to live, making Filipinos aspire to become as American or as White as possible, and regard anything American or European as superior to anything Filipino. Furthermore, they also assert that such a Colonial Mentality may still be present among modern Filipinos and Filipino Americans through the effects of socialization, forced assimilation, and continued oppression. Additionally, due to the continued Americanization of the Philippines (e.g., Karnow, 1989) and since most Filipinos in the U.S. are immigrants (Tompar-Tiu & Sustento-Seneriches, 1995), it is reasonable to speculate about the current existence of Colonial Mentality among modern day Filipino Americans. For example, informal observations and anecdotal information indicate that current Filipino Americans may deny or feel ashamed of their heritage due to their internalized belief that being American or White is superior or more advantageous (e.g., Pido; Strobel, 1997; Bergano & Bergano-Kinney, 1997; Tizon, 1990). In addition, such information have reported that it is common for Filipinos or Filipino Americans to (1) continuously pinch their noses to make them less flat and look more European; (2) stay away from the sun or use skin whitening products to look more White; (3) tease or discriminate against Filipinos who cannot speak English well; (4) regard English proficiency and levels of Americanization as yardsticks of intelligence and status; (5) believe that marrying-up means marrying a White person; and (6) regard being part-White as more attractive, advantageous, and precious than being full-Filipino. Psychiatrists Tompar-Tiu and Sustento-Seneriches further hypothesized that such a Colonial Mentlality may be contributing to the alarmingly high clinical depression rate for this ethnic minority group, further highlighting the serious need for increased research and clinical attention on the Filipino American population. Studies in Progress: 1. Discriminative Validity and Applicability of the Colonial Mentality Scale on Other Historically Colonized Groups To Participate in this study, click HERE. 2. Implicit Methods of Assessing Colonial Mentality Among Filipino Americans To Participate in this study, click HERE. 3. Colonial Mentality and Substance Abuse To Participate in this study, click HERE. 4. Ethnic Studies Courses as Intervention for Colonial Mentality |
