Hearing Researchers: Why Do They Study Deaf People?

Opening a dialogue in the Deaf community, Dr. Candace A. McCullough brings up several complex issues related to hearing researchers studying Deaf people (9:31 minutes). Whenever a member of a majority group studies a minority group, it is essential that social, cultural, and political issues are considered. Unfortunately, a number of hearing researchers' motivation for studying Deaf people comes down to self-interest, in the form of university tenure, promotions, grants, and prestige, rather than a sincere interest and concern for the betterment of the Deaf community.

In order to ensure that research on Deaf people is conducted in the best possible manner, hearing researchers should make a conscientious practice of collaborating equally with Deaf researchers in all phases of their studies, with credit given equally to the Deaf and hearing researchers. Deaf people should be cautious about participating in research, taking care to ask questions and determine what, if any, benefits the study may provide to the Deaf community, before committing to be part of a study.

To cite:

McCullough, C. (2007, September 23). Hearing Researchers: Why Do They Study Deaf People? ASC on the Couch. Retrieved September 23, 2007, from http://www.ascdeaf.com/blog/?p=323

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[kazakhstanmkj]

They studied if the people who never learned language can learn language ever. They discovered that you can learn a language beyond those years. After the grants were over. The girl was put back into the foster care system. I feel really worried about the girl. I hope she turned out well.Guess what, she the researcher got grants prestige and for promotion, so what would you make of this case?

[ASCDEAF]

@kazakhstanmkj Very sad story. It sounds like this girl was taken advantage of by the researcher and the system. I hope there was a happier ending down the road. Too many Deaf people get hurt through no fault of their own.

[kazakhstanmkj]

Some things are obviously for self-interest than of course for the betterment of the community. Actually most activities we pursue are selfish. We want a family children a spouse love a career all these aspects are personally driven. How does a person distinguish what a person wants to opposed to things of what you mentioned? I feel confused. I want to become a doctor to help people. Two reasons, I love science and I love humanity. A two way street. I do honestly understand your concern.

[ASCDEAF]

@kazakhstanmkj Agreed, self-interest motivates us in many things we do. There is nothing inherently wrong with self-interest, just that it can sometimes be the only reason hearing researchers study Deaf people. That is where we draw the line.

[kazakhstanmkj]

I met a psychologist who was counseling me, that used my information for her own person self-interest, doing private research. I hate these things. I cannot believe it.

[ASCDEAF]

@kazakhstanmkj I am sorry that your psychologist used your information without your permission. Any psychologist who uses information from work should change personal/identiable information so nobody will recognize who the person is. If it is too recognizable, permission is required.

[Devilious25]

trust me, few of hearing didn't put some subtitles too that I wish to understand as well.

[KarleighDoolittle]

yeah, i hope so too, because i am 85% hearing loss, i was born like this, and i totally love it, because i know sign langugae and i can speak like "normal" people, alot ppl are againest to deaf ppl because they think we're not normal, we're creatures, we're not. we're just human being. i hope all the people will accept us, and study deaf ppl because it's amazing experinece, no lie here.

i totally love being deaf. <3

[kazakhstanmkj]

There was this one case in which there was this girl who never learned language from the developmental years. Her mom was deaf. He father tied his daughter to a chair and blind flooded her for most of her developmental years. He was an abusive father. The deaf mum tried to free the daughter. They got help with the social workers. When the socials discovered the strange situation. There were researchers who came in to study about the girl who never develop language.

[kazakhstanmkj]

I did not know researchers had those types of self-interest. I guess I am silly to believe everyone want to really help.I am supportive of research if it is for like maybe to see if we can regrow a thigh in a science lab to help rebuild back someones body. Those things I can be ok with. Some things I am not like psychological research or things like you mentioned.

[gcoolmanern]

Hello, Candance That great explain what your thought and should our deaf community show out of hearing world to get know about us not invisible (not see). Hearing people know about deafness or hear loss but not think of deaf people have a life, ASL, can do everything, etc. Plus rather a person who is deaf studies to deaf community and more understand than hearing person who studies because not deaf person. I complete agree with you! Also, let hearing world about deaf people are normal!

by Tam

[DeafPoet2]

Hey Candance, this is one GREAT vlog and should be put into all Deaf videos, Deafhood Discussions in FB, have this rerun again, this is important and a reminder to all of us that we're not monkeys to be studied on by the hearings...but by our own Deaf people who understands us far better than the hearings who sees us on the outside and assuming this or that about us. This vlog is an eye opener, big time! Don't know why I hadn't seen this til now!! Glad you didn't remove this vlog! Keep it here!!