Critiques against Traditional Psychology

Group Presenters OriginAlison Crosbie Instrument of OppressionLynne Brand Psychology as a Science Sonya Hunt ModelsBonisile Ntlemeza SummaryConrad Zigmont

Introduction Origin Instrument of Oppression Psychology as a Science Models Summary

Origins of Mainstream Psychology Europe 1800’s Individual exalted Positions of Power Class and Race

Establishment in Europe Multicultural contexts Language barriers Collectivism over individualism

The Individual Exalted Freud Maslow Rogers

Men in Positions of Power Exclusion of Women Positions of Power Careers and the Academic World

The Middle-Class Man Focus on Middle-class man Diversity of People Middle class brackets Lower income groups

Role in Oppression Main instument in oppression Theories, Knowledge & Praxis Eurocentric Ethos –Reductionism –Animal Levels

Theories for Oppression Models – Inferiority Model – Genetic Deficiency – Cultural Deprivation

Inferiority Model Black people lower on hierarchal list Primitive Inherently pathological i.e. Same level as animal

Genetic Deficiency Model Genetic inferiority Difference attributed to biology Thus only right to oppress black people

Cultural Deprivation Model Not hereditary Environmental Cultural Enrichment –Eurocentric norms

Traditional Psychology WELLNESS Dehumanization Waste of Human potential Mental Health Problems

Biases of Mainstream Psychology Euro centrism Research Test language Services Training

Psychology as a Science Positivistic perspective and influence Pure v Applied science Participants of Research projects Range of human behaviour Professionals

Traditional vs Community Medical Model vs Social Action Model

Traditional vs Community Medical Curative Symptom Orientated Predominantly inaccessible- urban Adaptation - ?Victim blame? Social Action Preventative Accessible to majority Structural inequalities

Critique Individual Focus –Intra-psychic processes –Internal locus of control vs External forces –Collectivistic Cultures

Critique Based on the Medical model –Symptom orientated –Treatment, Curative and Rehabilitive

Critique Focus on negative –Pathology Culture Deaf –Eurocentric –Euro-American cultural values

Critique Perpetuated Racism - Aid to apartheid system - Eurocentric values as superior

Critique Inaccessable - Mental Health Positivistic Outlook - Objective Reality

Critique Easy Way Out - Accountable, Testable Alienation Ignore Context