Linda James Myers (born 1948) is an American psychologist best known for developing a theory of optimal psychology.[1][2] Optimal psychology theory relies on African and Native American worldviews to promote interconnectedness and anti-racism.[3][4][5] James Myers has offered significant contributions to the field of African Psychology.[4][5][6] She has won numerous awards, including the Distinguished Psychologist Award from the Association of Black Psychologists, the Bethune/Woodson Award for Outstanding Contributions in the Development of Promotion of Black Studies from the National Council for Black Studies, and the Oni Award from the International Black Women’s Congress.[1][4]
Early life and education
James Myers was raised in western Kansas by her father, a rancher, and her mother, a schoolteacher.[7] She attended Kansas State Teachers College for her undergraduate degree in psychology and special education and for her master's degree in school psychology.[1][3] Upon receiving her degree, James Myers took a position as a psychology instructor at the University of Nebraska.[7] Finding that a doctorate degree would be necessary for an academic faculty position, she pursued a PhD in clinical psychology at Ohio State University.[7][3]
Theory of optimal psychology
James Myers is known for having developed the theory of optimal psychology, deeply informed by her African and Native American ancestry.[2][7] Optimal psychology first aims to understand why or how someone might adopt white supremacist beliefs.[2][5] James Myers suggests that Western cultures understand knowledge and reality through the senses, while African wisdom traditions understand knowledge and reality through the spirit.[2][5] According to James Myers, the Western way of understanding knowledge through the senses places value on external accomplishments and status, leading to "suboptimal" ways of relating to others.[2] Optimal psychology theory instead places value on interconnectedness among all living beings.[2][4] James Myers' theory bridges a gap between ancient African wisdom and current developments in neuroscience and quantum physics.[3][5] Though optimal psychology is rooted in African and Native American ideology, James Myers is specific in describing her idea that optimal psychology can lead to unity across all cultures.[6]
Academic career and selected publications
James Myers is a professor emerita at Ohio State University in the Department of African American and African Studies.[1] She served as the president of the Association of Black Psychologists from 1990 to 1991.[8] James Myers has authored numerous books, book chapters, and peer-reviewed journal articles.[1][5]
James Myers' first book, Understanding of Afrocentric Worldview: Introduction to an Optimal Psychology, was published in 1988.[6][9] This book offered a summary of James Myers' theoretical and empirical work around optimal psychology theory.[6] Since then, James Myers has continued to write about optimal psychology, race, and culture, publishing Our Health Matters: Guide to an African (Indigenous) American Psychology and Cultural Model for Creating a Climate and Culture of Optimal Health in 2003, Re-Centering Culture and Knowledge in Conflict Resolution Practice in 2008, and contributing to the Ethical Standards of Black Psychologists in 2021.[10][11][12]
^ abcdefMaat, Sekhmet Ra Em Kht (June 2010). "Words of Wisdom for Building to Eternity: An Interview with African-centered Psychologist Linda James Myers". The Journal of Pan African Studies. 3 (7).
^ abcdKeita Carroll, Karanja (June 2010). "A Genealogical Analysis of the Worldview Framework in African-centered Psychology". The Journal of Pan African Studies. 3 (8).
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