DO YOU HAVE PSYCHIC TRAUMA?

Counter

DO YOU HAVE PSYCHIC TRAUMA

ACTIVITY: Take The Psychic Trauma Test
[Book] Slavery: The African American Psychic Trauma
by Sultan A. Latif and Naimah Latif

Survey Questions

(SA)     (A)     (U)    (DA)     (SD)

Circle the number which best describes how you feel about each statement. Strongly Agree (SA)=4; Agree (A)=3; Unsure (U)=2; Disagree (D)=1; and Strongly Disagree (SD)=0

4     3     2     1     0

1. While watching an African American being interviewed on a television program, when I notice that the person is using "incorrect" grammar with a very heavy "black" dialec," I get embarrassed.

4     3     2     1     0

2. When speaking to whites, I consciously try to alter my grammar and pronunciation so that I sound more like them, "proper."

4     3     2     1     0

3. When stopped by white police officers in traffic, I feel fearful.

4     3     2    1     0

4. When I hear an African-American leader speakin forcefully or aggressively, I feel uncomfortable.

4     3     2     1     0

5. When a white man wearing a business suit speaks to me in an authoritative tone, I have difficulty looking him in the eye.

4     3     2     1     0

6. When competing with whites, whether in business, on the job, or academically, I believe they will probably perform better than I.

4 3 2 1 0

7. When I go to events where I am the only black person in attendance, I feel self conscious.

4 3 2 1 0

8. I believe I would be further along in my career if I were white.

4 3 2 1 0

9. I hesitate to take on certain professional responsibilities because I don't believe I have the ability to master them.

4 3 2 1 0

10. If I were to suddenly lose my present means of employment, I think I would have great difficulty surviving.

4 3 2 1 0

11. When a member of the opposite sex whom I want to attract sees my hair before it is pressed or permed, I feel embarrassed and unattractive.

4 3 2 1 0

12. I think I would be more attractive if my skin were a few shades lighter.

4 3 2 1 0

13. The people I find most attractive tend to have lighter skin and curly or straightened hair.

4 3 2 1 0

14. When a white member of the opposite sex finds me attractive, I consider it a greater compliment than when a black member of the opposite sex finds me attractive.

4 3 2 1 0

15. I feel resentment when I see an attractive black member of the opposite sex romantically involved with a white person of my sex.

4 3 2 1 0

16. I feel that I am more attractive than my darker skinned associates.

4 3 2 1 0

17. When I see Africans in films expressing thier own cultural rituals and activities, I see them as repulsive.

4 3 2 1 0

18. I think blacks who were brought to America from Africa became more "civilized" than those who remained in Africa.

4 3 2 1 0

19. When I consider traveling abroad to become more "cultured," my first choice is a place in Europe, such as Paris or London, rather than a place in Africa.

4 3 2 1 0

20. I found myself defensively making excuses for my answers as I filled out this questionnaire.

4 3 2 1 0

Now, add up your score.

Psychic Trauma Test Analysis

Score of 0
You appear to have eliminated problems related to fear of whites and low self esteem due to the African American slave experience. You have learned to be proud of your racial identity and have a healthy sense of self worth.
Score of 1-20
You have taken some steps toward developing a positive self image. However, your attitudes are still affected by racial rejudice in society.
Score of 21-41
Many of your perceptions are influenced by preoccupation with what whites may think and do. This could be having a negative effect on your self esteem.
Score of 41-60
You are struggling with feelings of inferiority, and your self esteem has been greatly damaged. This could affect your ability to reach personal and professional goals.
Score of 61-80
You have suffered extreme trauma. You have accepted your presumed inferiority as a matter of fact, and may unconsciously act out the role by purposely performing below standard or seeking out demeaning relationships. You will have to work hard to change deeply ingrained self hatred.
Review your test answers and note the questions on which you scored the highest. Questions 1-5 examine automatic acceptance of whites as authority figures, leading to fear of white disapproval. Question 6-10 examine feelings of personal inferiority to whites and unwillingness to step out of one's "proper place" to strive for higher goals. Questions 11-16 examine rejection of African features and preference of European features when determining physical beauty standards. Questions 17-19 examine rejection of the African identity, while desiring to identify more with Europe and European culture. Question 20 examines the tendency for denial. It is often difficult to admit problems. However, honesty will help you overcome the effects of psychic trauma.
Think of personal experiences which may have influenced your current attitudes. Share this test with a friend and discuss your scores.

What do you think about this test?

Survey Questions	(SA) (A) (U) (DA) (SD)
Circle the number which best describes how you feel about each statement. Strongly Agree (SA)=4; Agree (A)=3; Unsure (U)=2; Disagree (D)=1; and Strongly Disagree (SD)=0	4 3 2 1 0
1. While watching an African American being interviewed on a television program, when I notice that the person is using "incorrect" grammar with a very heavy "black" dialec," I get embarrassed.	4 3 2 1 0
2. When speaking to whites, I consciously try to alter my grammar and pronunciation so that I sound more like them, "proper."	4 3 2 1 0
3. When stopped by white police officers in traffic, I feel fearful.	4 3 2 1 0
4. When I hear an African-American leader speakin forcefully or aggressively, I feel uncomfortable.	4 3 2 1 0
5. When a white man wearing a business suit speaks to me in an authoritative tone, I have difficulty looking him in the eye.	4 3 2 1 0
6. When competing with whites, whether in business, on the job, or academically, I believe they will probably perform better than I.	4 3 2 1 0
7. When I go to events where I am the only black person in attendance, I feel self conscious.	4 3 2 1 0
8. I believe I would be further along in my career if I were white.	4 3 2 1 0
9. I hesitate to take on certain professional responsibilities because I don't believe I have the ability to master them.	4 3 2 1 0
10. If I were to suddenly lose my present means of employment, I think I would have great difficulty surviving.	4 3 2 1 0
11. When a member of the opposite sex whom I want to attract sees my hair before it is pressed or permed, I feel embarrassed and unattractive.	4 3 2 1 0
12. I think I would be more attractive if my skin were a few shades lighter.	4 3 2 1 0
13. The people I find most attractive tend to have lighter skin and curly or straightened hair.	4 3 2 1 0
14. When a white member of the opposite sex finds me attractive, I consider it a greater compliment than when a black member of the opposite sex finds me attractive.	4 3 2 1 0
15. I feel resentment when I see an attractive black member of the opposite sex romantically involved with a white person of my sex.	4 3 2 1 0
16. I feel that I am more attractive than my darker skinned associates.	4 3 2 1 0
17. When I see Africans in films expressing thier own cultural rituals and activities, I see them as repulsive.	4 3 2 1 0
18. I think blacks who were brought to America from Africa became more "civilized" than those who remained in Africa.	4 3 2 1 0
19. When I consider traveling abroad to become more "cultured," my first choice is a place in Europe, such as Paris or London, rather than a place in Africa.	4 3 2 1 0
20. I found myself defensively making excuses for my answers as I filled out this questionnaire.	4 3 2 1 0
Now, add up your score.
Psychic Trauma Test Analysis
Score of 0 You appear to have eliminated problems related to fear of whites and low self esteem due to the African American slave experience. You have learned to be proud of your racial identity and have a healthy sense of self worth. Score of 1-20 You have taken some steps toward developing a positive self image. However, your attitudes are still affected by racial rejudice in society. Score of 21-41 Many of your perceptions are influenced by preoccupation with what whites may think and do. This could be having a negative effect on your self esteem. Score of 41-60 You are struggling with feelings of inferiority, and your self esteem has been greatly damaged. This could affect your ability to reach personal and professional goals. Score of 61-80 You have suffered extreme trauma. You have accepted your presumed inferiority as a matter of fact, and may unconsciously act out the role by purposely performing below standard or seeking out demeaning relationships. You will have to work hard to change deeply ingrained self hatred. Review your test answers and note the questions on which you scored the highest. Questions 1-5 examine automatic acceptance of whites as authority figures, leading to fear of white disapproval. Question 6-10 examine feelings of personal inferiority to whites and unwillingness to step out of one's "proper place" to strive for higher goals. Questions 11-16 examine rejection of African features and preference of European features when determining physical beauty standards. Questions 17-19 examine rejection of the African identity, while desiring to identify more with Europe and European culture. Question 20 examines the tendency for denial. It is often difficult to admit problems. However, honesty will help you overcome the effects of psychic trauma. Think of personal experiences which may have influenced your current attitudes. Share this test with a friend and discuss your scores.
What do you think about this test?