Movin' on up to the 21st century: Multiculturalism… making the abstract applied

Author

Vonda Dionne Jones-Hudson, University of Rhode Island

Date of Award

2001

Degree Type

Dissertation

First Advisor

Lisa L. Harlow

Abstract

The following evaluative study looks at a psychology department's organizational development and change process. Using the Multicultural Environment Inventory (MEI) (Pope-Davis & Liu, 1995), the Departmental Cross Reference to the MEI (DCR-MEI) (Jones-Hudson, 1997), and a short version of the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale (Reynolds, 1982), this research assessed the psychometric properties of the surveys and the effects of the 3-year intervention designed to assist the University of Rhode Island's Psychology Department in its journey towards multicultural proficiency. Using information from an initial consult in 1995, data was collected in 1998 to measure change specific to the environment and curricula using the MEI, and to assess achievement relative to the department's goals of: identifying psychology as a multicultural discipline, enhancing cross-cultural communication, enhancing perspectives in courses and practica, monitoring performance on multicultural issues, and managing conflict. Results indicated that the psychometric properties of the MEI and DRC-MEI were good relative to factorial validity, criterion validity, and internal-consistency reliability. Neither survey rated high for social desirability. Results also suggested that affiliation with the Task Force on Multiculturalism and Diversity did not bias one's perceived ratings of the department's accomplishment towards stated goals. However, people seemingly more involved with the Task Force viewed the climate and curricula more favorable. Overall, non-Whites rated the caliber of change less favorable. Notwithstanding, on average, the department's work effort placed them between a little and a moderate amount of change on most issues; however, change related to multiculturalism and diversity research ranked moderate to quite a bit. Supplemental qualitative and objective information related to departmental objectives and goals suggested that consequential of the change process, there has been cultural diversity guest lectures, increased attendance and participation in department sponsored events, more theses and dissertations pertaining to diversity, and development of diverse practica settings with appropriate supervision.

Recommended Citation

Jones-Hudson, Vonda Dionne, "Movin' on up to the 21st century: Multiculturalism… making the abstract applied" (2001). Open Access Dissertations. Paper 1791.
https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/oa_diss/1791