Mileena Ruiz

Professor Ford
11/22

Systematic Racism in Early APA Research

The American Psychological Association (APA) has admitted its role in promoting

racism through biased research and publications in the early 20th century. By looking at

studies on Indigenous and Black communities, we can see how American Psychological

Association backed research helped spread harmful stereotypes and justify unfair

treatment.

In the early 1900s, psychologists labeled Indigenous people as “less intelligent”

using flawed intelligent tests. These tests, like the ones developed by Lewis Terman,

assumed that Western standards of intelligence were the only valid ones (Terman,

1916). Indigenous children were often placed in boarding schools where their cultures

and languages were erased. This research has supported the idea that Indigenous

people needed to assimilate into Western culture because their own ways of life were

considered “inferior.” This type of thinking caused lasting harm. It devalued Indigenous

knowledge and justified policies that removed children from their families and

communities. These schools often caused trauma that has been passed down through

generations.

Early psychological studies also portrayed Black people as “less evolved.” G.

Stanley Hall claimed that Black individuals were less developed than white people and

compared them to children (Hall, 1904). Carl Brigham, another psychologist, used IQ

tests to argue that Black people were naturally less intelligent than White people
(Brigham, 1923). This research fueled segregation and discrimination, such as

preventing Black students from attending certain schools.

This biased science was often used to justify unfair laws and practices. For

example, it supported eugenics programs that sought to limit the population of Black

people and other minorities. These studies ignored the real reasons for inequality, like

systematic racism and lack of access to education and resources.

The American Psychological Association research was unethical because it

ignored the humanity of Indigenous and Black people. Instead of studying them

respectfully, psychologists used these groups to prove racist ideas. They often

conducted studies without understanding or caring about the cultural and social

contexts of these communities. This violated basic principles of fairness and respect.

In 2021, the American Psychological Association apologized for its role in

promoting racism. While an apology is important, more action is needed to repair the

harm caused. Here are some suggestions based on ideas from scholars like Dr. Linda

Tuhiwai Smith and Dr. Joy DeGruy.

Dr. Smith, a Maori scholar, says that research should help the people being

studied. She calls for “decolonizing” research, which means respecting Indigenous

knowledge and involving these communities in the research process (Smith, 1999). The

American Psychological Association can support this by funding studies led by

Indigenous and Black scholars. These studies should focus on healing and addressing

the needs of these communities.

Dr. DeGruy Highlights how systematic racism has caused trauma in Black

communities. She argues that resources like counseling and education are needed to
heal this trauma (DeGruy, 2005). The American Psychological Association can partner

with schools and community college centers to provide mental health support. They can

also train psychologists to understand the impact of racism and offer culturally sensitive

care.

The American Psychological Association should make sure that psychology

students learn about the history of racism in their field. This education can help prevent

future harm and ensure that research and therapy are fair and inclusive. By teaching

students about the mistakes of the past, the American Psychological Association can

create a new generation of psychologists who value diversity and equity.

The Belmont Report emphasizes three principles for ethical research: respect for

persons, beneficence, and justice. These principles aim to ensure that research is fair,

protects participants, and respects their dignity. Unfortunately, the American

Psychological Association (APA) violated these principles in its early research,

especially with Indigenous and Black communities. These unethical practices caused

harm and justified discrimination.

Respect for persons means treating people with dignity and valuing their

independence. Early American Psychological Association research ignored this when

working with marginalized groups. For example, biased IQ tests, like the ones designed

by Lewis Terman and Carl Brigham, labeled Black and Indigenous people less

intelligent without considering their culture or language (Terman, 1916), (Brigham,

1923). These tests treated people as numbers and objects rather than respecting them

as individuals.
 The American Psychological Association also conducted experiments on

Indigenous children in boarding schools. These studies ignored the children’s right to

consent and often aimed to erase their cultural identity. Black participants were used in

studies to support stereotypes about race. These actions violated their dignity and

increased harmful prejudices.

The Belmont Report says researchers should avoid causing harm and aim to do

good. But the American Psychological Association studies often caused more harm

than good. For example, IQ tests were used to push harmful policies like segregation

and forced assimilation, which hurt entire communities. Instead of helping, these studies

spread harmful ideas about race.

For Indigenous communities, experiments in schools caused emotional and

cultural harm. For Black individuals, research claiming racial inferiority was used to

justify discrimination in housing, education and work. This lack of care violated the

principle of beneficence, leaving participants and their communities worse off.

The principle of justice says research should not unfairly target certain groups or

benefit one group at another’s expense. Early APA studies broke this rule by targeting

Indigenous and Black people for harmful research while benefiting White researchers.

For example, data from the IQ tests led to policies that privileged White communities

while creating barriers for marginalized ones.

This justice was also clear in how benefits from psychological research, like

educational advancements, rarely reached the marginalized groups studied. Instead,

these groups bore the burden of harmful policies and stereotypes, deepening inequality.
 The APA’s research highlights the need for ethical practices guided by the

Belmont Report. Respect for persons means involving communities in research

decisions and valuing their input. Beneficence requires ensuring research benefits

participants rather than causing harm. Justice demands fair treatment and avoiding

targeting marginalized groups unfairly.

By following these principles, the APA can ensure future research is fair and respectful.

It can also repair past harm by supporting mental health resources, funding community

led research, and promoting diversity in psychology.

The APA’s history shows how research can be used to harm rather than to help.

Early studies violated principles of respect, beneficence, and justice, leading to lasting

damage for marginalized groups. By reflecting on these mistakes and committing to

ethical practices, the APA can help to create a more just and fair future for all. Through

efforts like inclusive research and community support, psychology can become a tool for

healing and understanding rather than harm.

- Indigenous communities were wrongly labeled as “uneducable” (Terman, 1916).

The measurement of Intelligence. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.gutenberg.org/files/20662/20662-h/20662-h.htm

- Racist ideas like recapitulation theory reinforced discrimination (Hall, 1904).

Adolescence ; its psychology and its relation to physiology, anthropology,

sociology, sex, crime, religion and education. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://wellcomecollection.org/works/u8vv9y33

- Decolonizing research benefits Indigenous communities (Smith, 1999).

Campeau, A. (2000). Linda Tuhiwai Smith, decolonizing methodologies. research

and indigenous peoples. londres et Dunedin, Zed Books et University of Otago

Press, 1999, 208 P. Bibliogr., index. Anthropologie et Sociétés, 24(3), 167.

doi:10.7202/015683ar

- Addressing Generational Trauma is vital for healing (DeGruy, 2005). Post

traumatic slave syndrome. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.joydegruy.com/