PrefaceAcknowledgementsSECTION I: INTRODUCTION, AND A HISTORICAL FOUNDATIONChapter 1: Introduction to African American Psychology Definition and Conceptual Frameworks Historical Perspective on the Psychological Study of African Americans Self-determination Status of African American Psychology Today Methodological Issues Summary and ConclusionChapter 2: Africentric Psychology Introduction to the Africentric Worldview What Are the Major Dimensions of the Africentric Worldview? Can an African worldview exist among contemporary African Americans? Africentric Research with African Americans Methodological Issues SummarySECTION II: SOCIAL SYSTEMS AND STRUCTURESChapter 3: Kinship and Family Introduction and Historical Background on African American Families African American Family Structure and Function Strengths, Coping, and Parenting Patterns Impact of Oppression and Discriminatory Policies on African American Families Methodological Considerations When Conducting Research on African American Families Summary and ConclusionsChapter 4: Educational Systems Introduction A Demographic Portrait of the Educational Status of African Americans Culture and Education: Historical Perspectives and Theory Conceptual and Theoretical Perspectives School Structures and Processes: Research Lessons Applications Summary and ConclusionsChapter 5: Neighborhoods and Communities Introduction and Overview Describing the Black Community in America Theoretical Perspectives on Community Lessons from Research on African American Communities Methodological and Applied Perspectives on African American Community and Neighborhoods Summary and ConclusionsSECTION III: INDIVIDUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL PROCESSESChapter 6: Interpersonal and Close Relationships Introduction and Overview of Chapter Close Relationships Interpersonal Attraction and Relationships Interracial Attitudes, Friendships, and Relationships Gay and Lesbian Relationships Methodological Issues Summary and ConclusionsChapter 7: Cognition, Learning, and Language Introduction African American Cognition Learning Styles Language Methodological Issues Implications and SummaryChapter 8: Religion and Spirituality Introduction Historical Influences Contemporary African American Churches Spirituality, Religion and Well-Being Implications and Contemporary Issues Methodological Considerations SummaryChapter 9: Self Attributes and Identity Introduction Self-Concept among African Americans Identity Development and Change Models of Racial Identity Correlates of Self-Concept and Racial Identity Acculturation and Racial Socialization Methodological Issues Summary and ConclusionsChapter 10: Life Span Development Introduction Theories Research and Methods in the Study of African American Development _Snapshots_ on African American Development Summary and ConclusionsSECTION IV: ADJUSTMENT AND ADAPTATIONChapter 11: Health, Illness, and Disability Introduction Morbidity, Mortality, and Disability Among African Americans Health Care Utilization Patterns Models of Health and Illness Behaviors Selected Health and Illness Conditions among African Americans Methodological Issues in Studying Health and Illness Among African Americans SummaryChapter 12: Psychosocial Adaptation and Mental Health Introduction Theoretical and Conceptual Models of Mental Health Methodological Issues Mental Health Service Use Among African Americans Professional Implications and Applications Summary and ConclusionsChapter 13: Drug Use and Abuse Drug Use Among African Americans Etiology of Drug Use Approaches to Prevention Methodological Issues Summary and ConclusionChapter 14: Aggression, Violence, and Crime Introduction and Definitions Theories of Aggression and Violence Crime and Punishment Exposure to Community Violence Violence against Women Preventing Violence Methodological Issues Summary and Conclusions.