Thanks for sharing this, Jason. Neoliberalism and its critique is a major focus of a number of the major Div 24 scholars, with Jeff Sugarman leading the way. A problem, of course, is that mainstream psychologists and psychotherapists don’t
think about the macro-level structures, values and processes that are operative. Rather they look at phenomena and clients and try to describe and explain what they see, with really appreciating the deep context.
My favorite book on a related topic is
Barry Schwartz’s The Battle for Human Nature. It reviews behavioral theory, evolutionary theory and economics and here is its summary:
Out of the investigations and speculations of contemporary science, a challenging view of human behavior and society has emerged and gained
strength. It is a view that equates “human nature” utterly and unalterably with the pursuit of self-interest. Influenced by this view, people increasingly appeal to natural imperatives, instead of moral ones, to explain and justify their actions and those
of others.
Best,
G
From: tree of knowledge system discussion <[log in to unmask]>
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Subject: How Psychology Helps Reinforce the Justification System of Neoliberalism
Interesting paper on psychology and neoliberalism:
ABSTRACT
This article draws attention to the relationship between neoliberalism and psychology. Features of this relationship can be seen with reference to recent studies linking psychology to neoliberalism through the constitution of a kind of subjectivity susceptible
to neoliberal governmentality. Three examples are presented that reveal the ways in which psychologists are implicated in the neoliberal agenda: psychologists’ conception and treatment of social anxiety disorder, positive psychology, and educational psychology.
It is hoped that presenting and discussing these cases broadens the context of consideration in which psychological ethics might be examined and more richly informed. It is concluded that only by interrogating neoliberalism, psychologists’ relationship to
it, how it affects what persons are and might become, and whether it is good for human well-being can we understand the ethics of psychological disciplinary and professional practices in the context of a neoliberal political order and if we are living up to
our social responsibility.
Sugarman, J. (2015). "Neolberalism
and Psychological Ethics". Journal of Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology, 35, 103 - 116.
~ Jason Bessey
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