Diverse Origins, Common Aims: The Challenge Of Critical Psychology
Author(s)
Austin, Stephanie; Prilleltensky, Isaac
Abstract
As an emerging field, critical psychology is defined in various ways. However, most writers agree that critical psychology is a movement that challenges psychology to work towards emancipation and social justice, and that opposes the uses of psychology to perpetuate oppression and injustice. In this paper, an overview of the philosophical and historical foundations of critical psychology is presented, followed by a discussion of certain challenges that remain to be addressed. The article traces the origins of critical psychology to critical theory, German critical psychology, Latin-American liberation movements, postmodernism, as well as community, feminist and anti-racist critiques of psychology. To achieve its objectives of promoting emancipation and resisting oppression, critical psychology faces the challenge of praxis. Praxis, which is the integration of, and constant engagement with, reflection, research, and action, is predicated on attaining a balance between (a) academic and grounded input, (b) understanding and action, (c) processes and outcomes, and (d) differing and unequal voices.
