As the cross-cultural dude on Tips,the Afrocentric perspective has subscribed to the notion that blacks score low on self-disclosure whereas whites score high. This conclusion was based on data collected from counseling and therapy sessions .White couples were most likely to reveal their intimate feelings to therapists and black couples were less forthcoming. White women revealed the most,then white males ,black women,and the ieast self-disclosure was the black male. Naturalistic observation confirmed that white women were more likely to come on TV and disclose to the world their lesbianism.It is rare that black women will reveal this. White males can share a few tears openly.But research has focused on the the impact the lack of self-disclosure has on the health of black males: early diagnosis could help manage hypertension and other problems of black males.Black males ,it is assumed, appear to have been conditoioned not to overtly display publicly emotions. A white dude is likely to reveal that he and his old lady are having relationship problems,but a black dude is not likely to reveal this to others. This lack of emotional reactivity on the part of some black males has been seen as contributing in some way to guilty verdicts to black defendants.Some defense attorneys have actually coached black defendants to get more emotional when being cross-examined and not to be "too cool".A Eurocentric jury may interpret the "cool pose" as guilt- which reminds me of a phrase from the Paul Newman (gone but not forgotten) film Cool Hand Luke " What we have here is the failure to communicate." Send me something.
Michael Sylvester,PhD Daytona Beach,Florida "Living on sponge cake...." --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
