ABSTRACT
This chapter shows that perspective with a Phenomenological Variant of Ecological Systems Theory approach to a study of African American secondary school students. It reviews empirical research on identity formation processes and the role of social stereotypes and the reactive coping responses of African American youth. In general, cross-cultural psychologists have articulated the salience of culture for human behavior. The social psychological approach also frequently ignores the underlying structural and sociohistorical factors that create the foundation for psychological expressions such as racial stereotyping. Structural racism in American society is manifested as systematic, institutionalized practices resulting in the subordination and devaluation of minority groups. The chapter presents a systems theory that views the negative achievement orientation of some Black youth as a "right-to-respect" reactive coping response. Illustrative empirical data are included for demonstrating this alternative interpretation of the achievement patterns of African American adolescents.
