SubOptimal Worldview
“Some distinguishing characteristics of a suboptimal worldview are as follows: The highest value is placed on acquiring objects and technology. There is competition, individualism, no concept of spiritual/material unity, and because of a need to oppress and dominate there is an attempt to control nature. The society is racist, sexist, classist and also negatively discriminates against numerous other demographic categories. Thinking is fragmented, either/or reasoning prevails, reality is known only through five senses materially, knowledge is gained only through counting and measuring and there is mindlessness which, in addition to the problems it contributes to, it also causes people to engage in automatic repetitive behaviors. Thinking is also trapped by categories, there is only one perspective and time is viewed as linear rather than continuous and circular. People are encouraged to commit to a way of thinking without thorough investigation or revision of decisions. The outcome is more important than the process. There is a belief in limited resources and context governs behavior.” (1)Self-Esteem Suffers
“In contrast to self worth that develops from practicing an optimal worldview, under a suboptimal worldview, when one's sense of self worth is achieved via material, external criteria (appearance, academic degrees, possessions, fame, etc.), there is a perpetual cycle of insecurity that comes from the instability and temporary nature of these criteria. Momentary satisfaction derived from viewing self as “better than” others commits one to continually competing to get more for oneself. These insecure feelings and insatiable desires subsequently make one more anxious and depressed.” (2)Societal Defects Of A SubOptimal Worldview
“Once a fragmented pattern of interpreting reality and materialistic designs for living have been endorsed and adopted in a society they become self-perpetuating and self-sustaining in a capitalistic economic structure that is built around a wealthy elite with economically-challenged masses competing to survive.” "The prevailing fragmented cultural worldview in US society often goes unexamined, much less challenged, because its nature encourages a more superficial and appearance based social orientation, for example, there is more concern today with political correctness than moral correctness. In addition, the media influence to address social concerns and issues in terms of sound bites with limited opportunity for deep dialogue discourages the kind of critical thinking, critical self-reflection, introspection, and even appreciation for alternative points of view, that would support in-depth examination. These conditions set the stage for broad social endorsement of long-standing contradictions, such as those found with American racism which repeatedly show up in terms of legal and social policies that either wittingly or unwittingly disadvantage those of African descent, such as extending high stakes testing to younger and younger age groups despite the questionable utility of such tests and the consistent disparities in test scores.” “Problems with the creation of social justice abound and insight into how to solve the problems remains inaccessible when barriers with regard to race (and other human diversity markers that are not privileged) are socially sanctioned and constraints to critical thinking abound. The mono-culturally hegemonic nature and functioning of the prevailing cultural worldview in mainstream US society limits the nation’s capacity to generate the moral leadership and the spiritual development required in the higher stages of human development and needed for a just society." (3)(1) Quoted and paraphrased with additions: Myers, Linda James; Montgomery, Derek; Fine, Mark; Reese, Roy, (1992), "Belief Systems Analysis Scale And Belief And Behavior Awareness Scale Development: Measuring An Optimal, Afrocentric World-view, In R. Jones (Ed.), "Handbook Of Tests And Measurements For Black Populations, (2 vols), Hampton, VA: Cobb & Henry Publishers, pp. 20-22.
(2) Ibid., p. 23.
(3) Myers, Linda James, Ph.D. & Speight, Suzette L., Ph.D., "Reframing Mental Health and Psychological Well-Being Among Persons of African Descent: Africana/Black Psychology Meeting the Challenges of Fractured Social and Cultural Realities,"The Journal of Pan African Studies, (2010, June), vol.3, no.8, p. 73.
