The Morals and Politics of Psychology: Psychological Discourse and the Status QuoThis book explores the moral, social, and political implications of dominant psychological theories and practices. The analysis entails the therapeutic uses of psychoanalysis, cognitive, behavioral, and humanistic psychology, as well as the practice of clinical, school, and industrial/organizational psychology. It is argued that applied psychology strengthens the societal status quo, thereby contributing to the perpetuation of social injustice. Most discussions of morality in psychology deal with the ethical repercussions of practices on individual clients. This book is unique in that it deals with the social ethics of psychology; that is, with the social morality of the discipline. It is also unique in that it offers a comprehensive critique of the most popular psychological means of solving human problems. The author does not stop at the level of critique but provides a vision for including the values of self-determination, distributive justice, collaboration, and democratic participation in psychology. He shows how some of these values have already been adopted by feminist and community psychologists. Given the prominence of psychology in contemporary society, The Morals and Politics of Psychology should be of interest to mental health professionals and their clients, as well as to people concerned with morality and social justice. |
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Page ix
... oppression , and illuminates the ever - present efforts at blaming the victim , all of which so dominate the field . Psychologists have been political innocents , in large measure because their education has completely neglected ...
... oppression , and illuminates the ever - present efforts at blaming the victim , all of which so dominate the field . Psychologists have been political innocents , in large measure because their education has completely neglected ...
Page 6
... oppression , violence , and ideological deception are more than academic words . They are human practices with high human costs attached to them . Suffering and pain were the lived expression of 6 Psychology and the Status Quo.
... oppression , violence , and ideological deception are more than academic words . They are human practices with high human costs attached to them . Suffering and pain were the lived expression of 6 Psychology and the Status Quo.
Page 9
... oppressive practices , how- ever , has not yet reached the consciousness of the vast majority of providers and consumers of psychological services ( Fine and Gordon 1991 ) . When Chesler compared the state of affairs in 1989 to the ...
... oppressive practices , how- ever , has not yet reached the consciousness of the vast majority of providers and consumers of psychological services ( Fine and Gordon 1991 ) . When Chesler compared the state of affairs in 1989 to the ...
Page 10
... oppression and to ascribe the ugliness of bourgeois society to ' human nature " " ( p . 39 ) . Consider also the following statements : " Because mainstream psy- chology is embedded in the dominant political , economic , and religious ...
... oppression and to ascribe the ugliness of bourgeois society to ' human nature " " ( p . 39 ) . Consider also the following statements : " Because mainstream psy- chology is embedded in the dominant political , economic , and religious ...
Page 12
... degree of candor with which this code deals with issues of power differences , societal oppression , and potential victimization of clients is quite unprecedented in documents of this kind . 12 Psychology and the Status Quo.
... degree of candor with which this code deals with issues of power differences , societal oppression , and potential victimization of clients is quite unprecedented in documents of this kind . 12 Psychology and the Status Quo.
Contents
Psychoanalysis | 45 |
Behaviorism | 70 |
Humanism | 80 |
Cognitivism 888888 | 98 |
IndustrialOrganizational Psychology | 131 |
School Psychology | 150 |
PART III | 167 |
Psychology and Social Change | 187 |
Empowerment in Mainstream Psychology | 203 |
References | 223 |
Author Index | 267 |
2888 | 268 |
Subject Index | 277 |
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Common terms and phrases
abnormal psychology Albee American Psychologist analysis approach argued B. F. Skinner basic behavior Braginsky Bramel and Friend Canadian chapter Chesler chologists chology clinical cognitive cognitive psychology Cognitive therapy community psychology concept context critical critique cultural distributive justice dominant economic effects empowering empowerment factors family therapy feminism feminist feminist therapy Freud groups hegemony Hollway human welfare Humanistic Psychology I/O psychology ical ideology individual industrial interventions involved issues J. G. Holland Journal macrosocial mainstream ment mental health mental illness moral needs neo-Freudian oppression paradigm political practice present Prilleltensky primary prevention principles problems professional promotion psychiatric psychoanalysis Psychological Association psychopathology radical radical behaviorism Rappaport role Routledge Sarason school psychology scientific self-determination Skinner social change social ethics social justice social order social psychology social sciences society sociopolitical status quo structures theory therapists tion University Press values women workers York