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Critical psychology is a branch of psychology that applies critical theory to critique traditional psychological practices and theories and to understand and solve problems in modern society. It differs from conventional psychology in its focus on social causes of psychological problems and power differences between individuals and groups. It is a relatively small field mostly confined to academia, but has given rise to other subfields such as ecopsychology and transpersonal psychology.
Critical psychology is a branch of psychology – the study of mind and behavior – based on critical theory. Critical theory involves the critical examination of society and culture with the aim of discovering the nature of the problems facing society. Critical theory draws from many different disciplines, such as sociology, literary theory, and other subdivisions of the humanities and social sciences. Critical psychology is used to apply critical theory in two different ways. It aims to critique traditional psychological practices and theories and to apply psychological theories to understanding and solving problems in modern society.
This type of psychology is different from conventional psychology in several ways; these differences are many of the aspects that define this branch of psychology. While traditional psychology is, in general, neutral towards society and interested in society only insofar as it affects a given individual, critical psychology is not so acceptable. Critical psychologists tend to look for social causes of psychological problems while conventional psychologists generally look for problems in the individual or in the individual’s life. Critical psychologists believe that conventional psychologists pay too little attention to power differences between individuals and groups. This ideology extends to the relationship between psychologist and patient; the critical psychologist generally seeks to minimize the difference in power that typically exists between a psychologist and his patient.
Overall, critical theory is an examination and investigation of the reasons behind the nature of society. As a branch of critical theory, critical psychology has many aspects that are based on investigation rather than clinical treatment. Critical psychologists seek to discover how conventional psychology fits into society’s power structures. The field is also concerned with comparing different psychological theories in an attempt to see which ones support the current social power structure and which ones attempt to overcome it.
Despite its broad application and multidisciplinary nature, critical psychology is a relatively small field that is mostly confined to academia. Few academic institutions actually have programs in critical psychology and it is rarely applied in clinical settings. There are, however, some scientific journals dedicated to the sector and some psychologists who have a strong critical approach to their work.
Several other subfields of psychology have branched off from critical psychology. Ecopsychology, for example, suggests that there is a powerful relationship between the well-being of the Earth and the psychological well-being of its inhabitants. Another loosely related branch is referred to as transpersonal psychology. Transpersonal psychology is focused on the spiritual or transcendent aspects of humanity.
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