Factors of Socioeconomic Status and Class in Professional Practice

An individual’s socioeconomic status and class can sometimes be identified by material objects, educational background, occupation, and access to resources; however, socioeconomic status and class, like other multicultural factors, are not always evident through visual cues. In fact, self-identification does not always match others’ perceptions. How might factors related to socioeconomic status and class impact your professional practice as a psychologist? How would these factors affect your ability to establish rapport with and develop a multicultural diagnosis for clients of different socioeconomic statuses or classes?

For this Discussion, review this week’s Learning Resources. Consider factors related to socioeconomic status and class as they relate to establishing rapport with clients from the population you selected in Week 3. Then search the Walden Library for two articles not identified in the Learning Resources that further your understanding of socioeconomic status and class as they relate to the population you selected.

Write an explanation of the factors related to socioeconomic status and class that you need to consider when establishing rapport with clients from the population you selected. Further, describe how race, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality relate to socioeconomic status and class within that population.

Resource:

• Ballinger, L., & Wright, J. (2007). “Does class count?” Social class and counseling. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 7(3), 157–163.
  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
• Brown, S. D., & Lent, R. W. (Eds.). (2008). Handbook of counseling psychology (4th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
  • Chapter 10, “Social Class and Classism: Understanding the Psychological Impact of Poverty and Inequality” (pp. 159–175)
• Lott, B. (2002). Cognitive and behavioral distancing from the poor. American Psychologist, 57(2), 100–110.
  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.