critical social psychology

diverse approaches in psychology, which tend to take an engaged, anti-discriminatory and anti-essentialist standpoint, in order to understand and explain psychological phenomena as inseparable from the SOCIAL ORDER. In part, this is achieved by critiquing many of the bases upon which psychological ‘truths’ have been produced and reproduced. Critical social psychologists challenge psychology's individualistic focus (see also INDIVIDUALISM), its assumption of a rational, unitary, autonomous and (usually male) subject and its appropriation of a natural science paradigm within which human behaviour is decontextualized (see also POSITIVISM). Critical social psychological research tends to be informed by DECONSTRUCTION, social constructionism (see also SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION OF REALITY) and POSTMODERNISM as it attempts to understand psychological phenomena in their wider historical and cultural contexts. For this reason, critical social psychological work is multidisciplinary, drawing on CULTURAL STUDIES, LITERARY AND CULTURAL THEORY, SOCIOLOGY and WOMEN'S STUDIES, for instance, and usually employs QUALITATIVE RESEARCH TECHNIQUES. Different forms of DISCOURSE ANALYSIS, some informed by FOUCAULT's theorizing, are commonly employed to offer INTERPRETATIONS or readings of talk and texts, which may be naturally occurring or part of research inquiry, such as qualitative interviews. The field of critical social psychology expanded in the 1990s, though its roots can be seen in forms of FEMINIST PSYCHOLOGY. Other forms of critical social psychology are Historical Psychology, an approach which explicates psychological research and theory in relation to the particular socio-historical contexts in which they are embedded, and Narrative Psychology, an approach which takes the telling of NARRATIVES to be the way through which we make sense of our lives and the lives of others. Critical social psychologists have drawn on psychoanalytic theory (see also PSYCHOANALYSIS).

Collins Dictionary of Sociology, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2000

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References in periodicals archive

Current research projects focus on intergenerational multimodal learning, intercultural learning relationships, and dialogical inquiry, drawing on theoretical ideas from critical youth studies, critical pedagogies, critical social psychology, and positive youth development.

Dr. Susan O'Neill is the new president elect for ISME

Eight chapters are: from antipathy to indignity; stereotypes, new racism and the changing nature of marginality in Europe; personality and racism as predisposition; social categorization and contexts of social identity; the discourse of prejudice; beyond stereotypes; dehumanization and moral exclusion; towards a critical social psychology of racism.

The Nature of Prejudice: Society, Discrimination and Moral Exclusion

& McFadden (2001) Critical Social Psychology: An Introduction.

For how long can psychology maintain its 'scientific' status?

Discursive psychology and later "critical social psychology" dominated some university departments.

The problem with some members of the constructivist family (and I would include here social constructionism, discursive psychology and critical social psychology) is that the individual vanishes altogether as we move towards an appreciation of the interpersonal realm.

The status of the individual in pragmatism and constructivism

It is a quality contribution to a quickly expanding international market for textbook introductions to critical social psychology. It is a must-have, particularly for Australasian teachers and researchers in social psychology.

Understanding Critical Social Psychology

An introduction to critical social psychology. London: Sage.

Are men 'cleverer' than women? Deconstructing the dogma of female intellectual inferiority