Internalized Oppression: The Psychological Impact on Marginalized Groups

Abstract

Topic 2 Real and perceived oppression may have very similar results in a group of people. Some people believe that even the perception of oppression can begin to have negative consequences on a body of people.  One way that it can have negative effects is through internalized oppression. This is when members of the oppressed group begin to see themselves through that negative lens, additionally, it can be tied to an increase in depression and a few other psychological problems (Littrell & Beck, 1999). Though several studies have found evidence to support the links between perceived oppression and actual oppression Littrell and Beck (1999) were unable to reproduce those results in the trials they conducted. However, a person who is forced to live through the effects of oppression may begin to develop internalized oppression. This is when they lose faith in their capabilities or feel inadequate, they may begin to restrict what they attempt, believing that they are incapable (David, 2014). This is not necessarily perceived oppression, but it is the closest argument that I could find. I do not believe that real and perceived oppression have the same results. Yes, they may have some similarities, however, most studies show that actual oppression has a more profound impact on a larger body of people. That is not to say that internalized oppression does not have a terrible impact on a person or community. It can be a severely debilitating thing to endure.  David, E.J.R. (2014). Internalized Oppression : The Psychology of Marginalized Groups. Springer Publishing Company. Littrell, J., & Beck, E. (1999). Perceiving oppression: Relationships with resilience, self-esteem, depressive symptoms, and reliance on God in African-American homeless men. The Journal of Sociology & Welfare, 26(4). Retrieved December 7, 2020, from https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jssw/vol26/iss4/9