Terminology
Throughout the text, the authors have made intentional choices in language and terminology to refer to specific people groups and identities, informed by the current state of research, convention, as well as the APA 7th edition style guide. Below are descriptions referring to what we mean and intend.
Racial and Ethnic Terms
Asian
This term refers to people of Asian ancestry from Asia who live in Asia or identify as having an Asian nationality. We defer to the authors of the studies we cite in terms of the countries included in the geography of Asia. These include (but are not limited to, in alphabetical order): East Asia (or East Asian, including China, Hong Kong, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, and Taiwan), South Asia (South Asian, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan), Southeast Asia (or Southeast Asian, including Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines), and Southwest/West Asia (or Southwest Asian or West Asian including, Iraq, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, and Turkey).
Asian American
This term refers to people of Asian descent from the United States. Based on each study’s inclusion criteria, Asian American can also refer to people of Asian descent living in the United States.
BIPOC
This term stands for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. This term is often used to express that Black and Indigenous people share many experiences of oppression with other marginalized groups and can therefore be discussed under the same umbrella, yet they do have distinct experiences that merit individualized attention.
Black
This term refers to darker skinned (melanated) people descending from myriad African ethnicities, especially Western Africa (e.g., Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, and Mali). Black people in the United States are categorized together as a race because their shared histories of oppression—namely of chattel slavery and ongoing discrimination practices—constitute a culture that is both informed by a generalized “African” ancestry and also unique from it. Many scholars and activists have argued for the use of “Black” over “African American,” because the latter may imply a strong and known African heritage or a recent immigration status.
White
This term refers to lighter skinned people descending from myriad European ethnicities, especially Western Europe (e.g., England, Germany, and Ireland). White people in the United States are categorized together as a race because of their shared status as a more economically and socially privileged group relative to other racial groups.
Cultural terms
Eastern
This term refers to countries and cultures that are from East Asia, South Asia, and parts of the Middle East. When used in psychology or the social sciences, it typically references Eastern culture, which includes a diverse set of beliefs, attitudes, and values that lean toward collectivism, which indicates a prioritization for the group, community, and family over individual needs. The term Eastern along with the term Western often oversimplify the differences and similarities between Eastern and Western cultures as well as within these cultures. Thus, using the terms without acknowledging the variability within the cultures and countries within these arbitrary borders may lead to misconceptions and perpetuate stereotypes. Additionally, the terms evoke cultural bias because of their origins in colonialism.
Western
This term refers to countries and cultures that are from Europe and North America. When used in psychology or the social sciences, it typically references Western culture which includes a set of beliefs, attitudes, and values that are steeped in the traditions of ancient Greece and Rome, emphasizing concepts of individualism (i.e., focusing on individual rights, freedoms, and self-reliance) and democratic thinking.
Global North
This a term used to describe countries that have high levels of economic and industrial development. These countries are located broadly in North America, Europe, Northern Asia, and Australia. Most of them hold more power than countries that are located to the south of them. However, like the terms Eastern and Western, Global North and Global South oversimplify the complex, diverse economies and industrial development that exists in countries that are typically identified in each category. For example, while the United States belongs to the Global North, it has one of the highest income disparity index compares to other Global North countries. The terms also sometimes elicit stereotypes about the wealth and education levels of people from these countries.
Global South
This a term used to describe countries that have low levels of economic and industrial development. These countries are located broadly in South America, Africa, Southern Asia, and some Oceanic regions. Most of them hold less power than countries that are located to the north of them. The terms Global North and Global South have been used to delineate economic disparities between countries that belong to each region.
Global Majority
This a term used to refer to the people who are not White and come from Asian, African, Indigenous, South American, and mixed heritage backgrounds. It is a term used as an alternative to ethnic minority or people of color, as people who belong to this collective of countries represent approximately 85% of the world population. The term is meant to challenge existing power structures by decentering Whiteness and providing a more nuanced understanding of the diversity of peoples’ experiences. It also reflects a more inclusive and accurate representation of the world’s population.