Charlotte Patterson

Last updated
Charlotte Jessie Patterson
EducationB.A. Pomona College (1971), M.A. and Ph.D. Stanford University (1972, 1975)
Known for LGBT parenting research
AwardsAward for Distinguished Contributions to Research in Public Policy from the American Psychological Association (2009) [1]
Scientific career
FieldsPsychology
Institutions University of Virginia
Thesis The role of self-instructional plans in children's resistance to temptation  (1975)

Charlotte J. Patterson is a professor of psychology at the University of Virginia. [2] Patterson is also a member of the United States Census Bureau's National Advisory Committee on Racial, Ethnic and Other Populations, established in 2012, as well as a fellow of the Association for Psychological Science and American Psychological Association (APA). [3] She is known for her research into the psychological effects of LGBT parenting, for which she was awarded the Award for Distinguished Contributions to Research in Public Policy in 2009 by the APA. [1] [4]

Research and views

Patterson has been described as "the world’s expert on psychological research on children and youths raised by lesbian and gay parents." [1] In addition to publishing numerous scientific studies on this topic, [5] [6] she testified before the Institute of Medicine on the topic of lesbian-related research in 1997. [7] Her research has found that children raised by same-sex parents develop at least as well as children raised by heterosexual parents. [8] [9] She also authored a report, released by the APA in 2004, which stated that "Not a single study has found children of lesbian or gay parents to be disadvantaged in any significant respect relative to children of heterosexual parents." [10]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sexual orientation</span> Pattern of romantic or sexual attraction

Sexual orientation is an enduring personal pattern of romantic attraction or sexual attraction to persons of the opposite sex or gender, the same sex or gender, or to both sexes or more than one gender. Patterns are generally categorized under heterosexuality, homosexuality, and bisexuality, while asexuality is sometimes identified as the fourth category.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Homosexuality and psychology</span> Homosexuality as studied by the field of psychology

The field of psychology has extensively studied homosexuality as a human sexual orientation. The American Psychiatric Association listed homosexuality in the DSM-I in 1952 as a "sociopathic personality disturbance," but that classification came under scrutiny in research funded by the National Institute of Mental Health. That research and subsequent studies consistently failed to produce any empirical or scientific basis for regarding homosexuality as anything other than a natural and normal sexual orientation that is a healthy and positive expression of human sexuality. As a result of this scientific research, the American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from the DSM-II in 1973. Upon a thorough review of the scientific data, the American Psychological Association followed in 1975 and also called on all mental health professionals to take the lead in "removing the stigma of mental illness that has long been associated" with homosexuality. In 1993, the National Association of Social Workers adopted the same position as the American Psychiatric Association and the American Psychological Association, in recognition of scientific evidence. The World Health Organization, which listed homosexuality in the ICD-9 in 1977, removed homosexuality from the ICD-10 which was endorsed by the 43rd World Health Assembly on 17 May 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Homosexuality</span> Sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender

Homosexuality is sexual attraction, romantic attraction, or sexual behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality is "an enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attractions" exclusively to people of the same sex or gender. It "also refers to a person's sense of identity based on those attractions, related behaviors, and membership in a community of others who share those attractions."

Maria P. P. Root is a clinical psychologist, educator, and public speaker based in Seattle, Washington. Her areas of work include multiracial families, multiracial identity, cultural competence, trauma, workplace harassment, and disordered eating. She is an international authority on mixed heritage identity, credited with publishing the first contemporary work on mixed-race people. She has presented lectures and training in various countries, both in and outside of academia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Same-sex parenting</span> Parenting of children by same-sex couples

Same-sex parenting is the parenting of children by same-sex couples generally consisting of gays or lesbians who are often in civil partnerships, domestic partnerships, civil unions, or same-sex marriages.

Ritch C. Savin-Williams is professor emeritus of developmental psychology at Cornell University who specializes in gay, lesbian, and bisexual research involving adolescents.

Gregory M. Herek is a researcher, author, and professor of psychology at the University of California at Davis (UCD). He has conducted extensive research on prejudice against sexual minorities, and coined the term sexual prejudice as a replacement for homophobia to describe this phenomenon. Herek argued that using the term homophobia incorrectly assumes that negative responses to lesbian, gay, and bisexual people are founded in pathological, irrational fear, whereas psychological research indicates they are more accurately regarded as a form of prejudice. Herek is an openly and prominent gay psychologist. Herek is considered one of the most influential scholars of sexual minorities.

Sexual fluidity is one or more changes in sexuality or sexual identity. Sexual orientation is stable for the vast majority of people, but some research indicates that some people may experience change in their sexual orientation, and this is slightly more likely for women than for men. There is no scientific evidence that sexual orientation can be changed through psychotherapy. Sexual identity can change throughout an individual's life, and does not have to align with biological sex, sexual behavior, or actual sexual orientation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Nadal</span> American writer

Kevin Nadal is an author, activist, comedian, and Distinguished Professor of Psychology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and The Graduate Center of the City University of New York. He is a researcher and expert on the effects of microaggressions on racial/ethnic minorities and LGBTQ people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Same-sex marriage and the family</span>

Concerns regarding same-sex marriage and the family are at the forefront of the controversies over legalization of same-sex marriage. In the United States, about 292,000 children are being raised in the households of same-sex couples. Concern for these children and others to come are the basis for both opposition to and support for marriage for LGBTQ couples.

Homosexuality, as a phenomenon and as a behavior, has existed throughout all eras in human societies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dorothy Riddle</span> American psychologist

Dorothy Riddle is an American-Canadian psychologist, feminist and economic development specialist. She is known as the author of the Riddle homophobia scale and published work on women's studies, homophobia, services and metaphysics.

Until 2017, laws related to LGBTQ+ couples adopting children varied by state. Some states granted full adoption rights to same-sex couples, while others banned same-sex adoption or only allowed one partner in a same-sex relationship to adopt the biological child of the other.

Bonnie Ruth Strickland is known for her contributions to the psychology community. From her decades long career at Emory University and University of Massachusetts Amherst to her time as the president of the American Psychological Association (APA) she has contributed a great deal to clinical psychology, social psychology, and feminism.

Victoria Clarke is a UK-based chartered psychologist and an Associate Professor in Qualitative and Critical Psychology at the University of the West England, Bristol. Her work focuses on qualitative psychology and critical psychology, and her background and training is in the fields of women studies, feminist psychology, LGBTQ psychology, and qualitative methods. She is particularly known for her ongoing collaboration with Professor Virginia Braun around qualitative methods. Braun and Clarke developed a widely cited approach to thematic analysis in 2006 and have published extensively around thematic analysis since then. They have also collaborated on an award-winning qualitative research textbook and more recently have published around the qualitative story completion method with the Story Completion Research Group.

LGBTQ psychology is a field of psychology of surrounding the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals, in the particular the diverse range of psychological perspectives and experiences of these individuals. It covers different aspects such as identity development including the coming out process, parenting and family practices and support for LGBTQ+ individuals, as well as issues of prejudice and discrimination involving the LGBTQ community.

Beverly Greene is a professor in the Department of Psychology at St. John's University. She is a clinical psychologist known for her work on sexism, racism, and analyzing the intersectionality of social identities. As a specialist in the psychology of women and of gender and racial issues in the practice of psychotherapy, Greene has also created many public health frameworks for understanding mental health in marginalized communities. She is the author of close to 100 psychological literature publications. Greene is involved with the Association for Women in Psychology and the Society for the Psychology of Women. She is one of sixteen women to have received the Distinguished Publication Award (DPA) from the Association for Women in Psychology in 2008.

Bertha Garrett Holliday is a community psychologist known for her expertise on ethnic minority issues. Her work has focused on processes of child and family socialization and the academic experiences and achievement of Black youth. Holliday was Senior Director of the Office of Ethnic Minority Affairs at the American Psychological Association (APA), where she led APA's efforts to increase scientific understanding of role of culture and ethnicity in human relationships and behavior. She retired from the Office of Ethnic Minority Affairs in 2010 after 16 years of service to the APA.

Jessica Henderson Daniel is a psychologist and educator, known for her work on mental health in the Black community, racial trauma, and the effects of stress and violence on Black children and adolescents. Daniel was the first African American woman to lead the American Psychological Association (APA), serving her term as president of the organization in 2018.

Margaret Rosario is a health psychologist who studies the development of sexual identity and health disparities associated with sexual orientation. Rosario was President of the American Psychological Association (APA) Division 44, the Society for Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, from 2017-2018. Rosario received the APA Division 44 Award for Distinguished Contributions to Ethnic Minority Issues in 2008 and the Award for Distinguished Scientific Contributions in 2012, as well as the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality Distinguished Scientific Achievement Award in 2021.

References

  1. 1 2 3 No authorship indicated (2009). "Award for Distinguished Contributions to Research in Public Policy: Charlotte J. Patterson". American Psychologist. 64 (8): 725–736. doi:10.1037/a0017161. PMID   19899877.
  2. "Charlotte J. Patterson, Ph.D." University of Virginia Website. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  3. "Census Bureau Names Charlotte Patterson to National Advisory Committee on Racial, Ethnic and Other Populations". US Census Bureau. 12 October 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  4. Rathus, Spencer (2004). Psychology: Concepts and Connections. Cengage Learning. p. 472.
  5. Mundy, Liza (22 May 2013). "The Gay Guide to Wedded Bliss". The Atlantic. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  6. "Same-Sex Couples Match Heterosexual Couples In Performance As Adoptive Parents, UVA/GWU Study Finds". Huffington Post. 27 July 2010. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  7. "Testimony of Charlotte Patterson, PhD Department of Psychology University of Virginia". American Psychological Association. 1997. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  8. "Lesbians' children found "normal"". The Free Lance–Star. Associated Press. 20 November 1992. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  9. Goleman, Daniel (27 December 1992). "Family Ties". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
  10. Brown, David F. (13 July 2004). "Gay parenting at heart of marriage debate". UPI. Retrieved 27 October 2014.