PSYCHOLOGY, POWER, AND WELL-BEING: Discussion points for APA session Isaac Prilleltensky University of Miami

Ecological Model of Well-Being Sites of Well-Being IndividualRelationalOrganizationalCommunalEnvironmental Objective signs health networks resourcessocial capital low emissions Subjective Signs efficacyvoicesupport belonging safety Values as source and strategy autonomy caring participation diversityprotection of resources Justice as source and strategy My due/Our due Your due/Our due Its due/Our due Their due/Our due Nature’s due/Our due

Ecological Model of Well-Being: Some positive and negative factors Sites of Well-Being IndividualRelationalOrganizationalCommunalEnvironmental Objective signs+health - illness +networks -isolation +resources - lack of resources -social capital -lack of trust +clean air -pollution Subjective signs +efficacy -lack of control +voice -repression +support -isolation +belonging -rejection +safety -fear Values as source and strategy +autonomy -lack of power +caring -neglect +participation -marginality +diversity -discrimination +protection of resources -depletion of resources Justice as source and strategy My due/Our due Your due/Our due Its due/Our dueTheir due/Our due Nature’s due/Our due

POWER FOR WHAT? TO PROMOTE WELLNESS AND EMANCIPATION TO OPPRESS SELF AND OTHERS TO RESIST OPPRESSION

POWER DEFINED H We can distinguish among power to strive for wellness, power to oppress, and power to resist oppression and strive for liberation. H In each instance, the exercise of power can apply to self, others, and collectives; and can reflect varying degrees of awareness with respect to the impact of one's actions.

POWER DEFINED H Whereas people may be oppressed in one context, they may act as oppressors in others. Power affords people multiple identities as individuals seeking wellness, engaging in oppression, or resisting domination.

POWER DEFINED H Within a particular context, such as the family or work, individuals may exercise power to facilitate the wellness of some people but not of others. Across contexts, actors may engage in contradictory actions that promote personal or collective wellness in one place but that perpetuate oppressive practices in other settings.

POWER DEFINED H The exercise of power varies not only across contexts, but also across time. Within a particular setting or relationship, people may occupy different roles at different times, making the exercise of power a very dynamic process.

How Do We Address Power Imbalance in Psychology? H Psychopolitical validity –Epistemic –Transformational

Psychopolitical Validity H Psychopolitical validity derives from the consideration of power dynamics in psychological and political domains of health and well-being H The main objective of psychopolitical validity is to infuse in helping professions an awareness of the role of power in justice and well-being.

Psychopolitical Validity H In order to attain psychopolitical validity, investigations and interventions would have to meet certain criteria. These criteria have to do with the extent to which research and action incorporate lessons about psychological and political power.

Psychopolitical Validity I: Epistemic H This type of validity is achieved by the systematic account of the role of power in political and psychological dynamics affecting phenomena of interest. H Such account needs to consider the role of power in the psychology and politics of well- being, oppression and liberation, at the personal, relational, and collective domains.

Psychopolitical Validity II: Transformational H Transformational validity derives from the potential of our actions to promote personal, relational, and collective wellness by reducing power inequalities and increasing political action

Table 1 Guidelines for Epistemic Psychopolitical Validity ConcernsDomains CollectiveRelationalPersonal WellnessAccounts for role of political and economic power in economic prosperity and in creation of institutions that promote equality and public health Studies the role of power in creating and sustaining egalitarian relationships, social cohesion, social support, respect for diversity and democratic participation in communities, groups, and families Studies role of psychological and political power in achieving self-determination, empowerment, health, personal growth, meaning and spirituality OppressionExplores role of globalization, colonization and exploitation in illness and suffering of nations and communities Examines the role of political and psychological power in exclusion and discrimination based on class, gender, age, race, education and ability. Studies conditions leading to lack of support, horizontal violence and fragmentation within oppressed groups Studies role of powerlessness in learned helplessness, hopelessness, self- deprecation, internalized oppression, shame, physical and mental health problems and addictions LiberationDeconstructs ideological norms that lead to acquiescence and studies effective psychopolitical factors in resistance to norms that cause illness Studies acts of solidarity and compassion with others who suffer from oppression and illness Examines sources of health, strength, resilience, solidarity and development of activism and leadership

Table 2 Guidelines for Transformational Psychopolitical Validity ConcernsDomains CollectiveRelationalPersonal Well-beingContributes to institutions that support health, emancipation, human development, peace, protection of environment, and social justice Contributes to power equalization in relationships and communities. Enriches awareness of subjective and psychological forces preventing solidarity. Builds trust, connection and participation in groups that support social cohesion, health and social justice Supports personal empowerment, health, sociopolitical development, leadership training and solidarity. Contributes to personal and social responsibility and awareness of subjective forces preventing commitment to justice and personal depowerment when in position of privilege OppressionOpposes economic colonialism and denial of cultural rights. Decries and resists role of own reference group or nation in oppression of others and deterioration of health in other groups Contributes to struggle against in- group and out-group domination and discrimination, sexism and norms of violence. Builds awareness of own prejudice and participation in horizontal violence Helps to prevent acting out of own oppression on others. Builds awareness of internalized oppression and role of dominant ideology in victim-blaming. Contributes to personal depowerment of people in position of privilege LiberationSupports networks of resistance and social change movements that pursue health and wellness. Contributes to structural depowerment of privileged people Supports resistance against objectification of others. Develops processes of mutual accountability Helps to resists complacency and collusion with exploitative and illness producing system. Contributes to struggle to recover personal health and political identity

H Before you reply with enthusiasm to our plea for help, you should consider whether you are not merely engaged as magicians to avoid the crisis in the center of the ring. In considering our motives for offering you a role, I think you would do well to consider how much less expensive it is to hire a thousand psychologists than to make even a miniscule change in the social and economic structure ( Judge Bazelon, in the 60s, addressing a group of forensic psychologists).