The Delusion of Exclusion: Masters Psychology as Minority

Abstract

Within psychology, there is a long history of controversy over the proper role of Master's-degreed psychologists. This article conceptualizes the status of Masters Psychology within the psychology community from the perspective of a sociological definition of “minority.” According to Dworkin and Dworkin (1999), minority groups share four characteristics: identifiability, differential power, differential and pejorative treatment, and group awareness. The author applies this metaphor to Masters Psychology as it exists within the dominant culture of the field and challenges prevailing rhetoric about “inclusion.”

Notes

An earlier version of this article was presented at the 2011 Joint Conference of CAMPP and NAMP, National University, La Jolla, CA, November 12, 2011.

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