Resources
The Necessity of an Emic Paradigm in Psychology
This article provides an overview of developments in the field of Black/ Africana/ Pan African psychology over the past 50 years. It has evolved toward the production of psychological knowledge grounded in an emic cultural paradigm consistent with the understandings emerging from classical African civilization and across the Diaspora.
Alternate Cultural Paradigms in Psychology: Long Overdue Recognition and Further Articulations
Many ethnic-acknowledging psychology researchers, practitioners, and their allies have expressed dissatisfaction with Euro western, mainstream psychology in the United States as it shows serious shortcomings when used to understand and serve minoritized communities.
Optimal Theory’s Contributions to Understanding and Surmounting Global Challenges to Humanity
In this article, we discuss challenges to and the triumphs of the production of psychological knowledge pertinent to human health and sustainable wellbeing, particularly as it relates to persons acknowledging African ancestry in hostile sociohistorical contexts.
Cultural Insights for Redemption of America’s Soul
This 2022 opinion piece describes the power for perseverance and resilience in an optimal worldview model.
TRADEMARK
Dr. Linda James Myers began promoting Belief Systems Analysis therapeutic concepts and processes in the late 1970s, in association with her pioneering work on Optimal Psychology, also known as Optimal Conceptual Theory. Linda has lectured and presented her Belief Systems Analysis work at national and international training and conferences to which she has been invited. She taught courses utilizing both Belief Systems Analysis and Optimal Psychology in undergraduate and graduate-level courses at The Ohio State University beginning in 1976. Being recognized globally as the authority on the subject, Dr. James Myers provides Belief Systems Analysis curricula, training, consultation, and guidance to institutions in the mental health therapy industry.
Videos
An Interview With Dr. Linda James Myers
Dr. Myers is Past President of The Association of Black Psychologists and Professor of Psychology at Ohio State University. Interviewed by Ms. LeOndra Clark at the 40th Annual Convention of The Association of Black Psychologists in Oakland, August 2008. Copyright by The Association of Black Psychologists.
www.abpsi.org
Scholar/Jegna: Linda James Myers
Interviewer: Le Ondra Clark
Producer: Halford H Fairchild
Executive Producer: Dorothy Holmes
Executive Producer: Benson Cooke
Dr Linda James Myers
Heartfelt, African American Education, Ohio State University, Dr Linda James Myers
Dr. Linda James Myers discusses her “HeartFeather” curriculum intended to build youth-focused tools and community programs rooted and grounded in Optimal Psychology, a powerful psychological framework designed in the wisdom traditions and deep thought of classical African civilization. By trading a fear-based, divided view of the world for an interconnected philosophy that unites spirit, nature, and community, this approach offers practical tools designed to heal racism and systemic oppression while building lasting peace and global well-being.