Learning objectives

In the previous chapter we considered some of the criticisms that have been made of mainstream psychology. This chapter continues that theme but differs in that the criticisms are levied not by individuals but by collectives of scholars who share a common concern. Overall they may all be included under the banner of “critical psychologies.” According to critical psychologies, psychology has to include historical and social analysis (Billig, 2008). As a product of their age, their culture, and the web of social relations, by which individuals are constituted as psychological beings, the context of life cannot be ignored. Individual psychology, rather than explained in terms of “individualism,” is situated socially and historically.

According to the ethical standards of the American Psychological Association (2002), “Psychologists are committed to increasing scientific and professional knowledge of behavior and people’s understanding of themselves and others and to use such knowledge to improve the con­dition of individuals, organizations, and society” (p. 1062). From the perspective of critical psychol­ogy that responsibility has been shirked as the mainstream practices have tended to support the status quo (probably unwittingly) and have failed to address areas of social injustice. Those who align with critical psychology, on the other hand, tend to have as a central concern the well-being of people and the elimination of various forms of oppression and exploitation (Sloan, 2000). In that sense, critical psychology is necessarily political since its intent is to change sociopolitical systems to the betterment of the disadvantaged — to identify, analyze, and work to effect positive change for the citizenry. The aim is to empower and liberate. By advocating a theory of individualism, that is asocial and ahistorical, mainstream psychology can justify, at least to itself, its failure to concern itself with sociopolitical issues, but to critical psychologists the social generation of human suffering cannot be ignored. As it is taken up here, we will examine three general areas:

  • Critical Psychology — German and Danish.
  • Other critical psychologies including Liberation Psychology and Community Psychology.
  • Feminist Psychology.