Handbook of Critical Psychology

"The essays take aim at diverse areas of psychology, arguing for an approach focusing on the social context, often within a social justice framework. A recurring theme is that reductionistic models fail to capture the essence of human thought and behavior because the assumptions made in traditional psychological thinking lead to research methodologies that force measurement into constrained pathways that--the book argues--reflect social constructs rather than fundamentally important human characteristics. This book reflects critical psychology theories, showing little overlap with mainstream, empirical psychological thinking. Those interested in a depicition of the theory of critical psychology rather than an empirical treatment of psychological phenomena will encounter here a wide ranging exploration of the issues. Summing Up: Recommended." -B. C. Beins, Ithaca College, CHOICE

"It would appear that recency of research and a wider array of topics separate this book from the others. This book significantly builds on the work of its predecessors. The aim of this edited handbook is to provide a comprehensive overview of critical psychology in many fields in psychology. [...] The contents of this book have much to stir some readers out of their comfort zones, particularly those who have not been introduced to critical psychology. Taken-for-granted perspectives and terminology in psychology are forcefully questioned throughout the book. These include, among many others, personality, emotions, identities, sexuality, health, cognition, power, and education. Through questioning and offering alternatives, this book succeeds in enabling one to reconsider the seemingly obvious in psychology, thus potentially opening creative possibilities for research and practice." -Graham B. Stead, College of Education and Human Services at Cleveland State University, PsycCRITIQUES

"Ian Parker boldly states his hopes for The Handbook of Critical Psychology in the introduction: to provide the most thorough account possible of the scope of critical psychology. This ambitious project is tackled admirably." - Tom Payne, The Journal of Critical Psychology, Counselling and Psychotherapy

"This handbook does an incredible job of conveying the fundamentals of critical psychology along with an exciting overview of the contemporary scope of this revolutionary approach. Both specialists and students will consider it an essential resource. I will not be surprised if it significantly magnifies the impact of critical psychology around the world.'– Tod Sloan, Lewis and Clark College, USA

"A critical engagement with key topics in psychology with reference to critical debates across the field. A crucial resource for all psychology students."– Valerie Walkerdine, School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University, UK

"Parker’s Handbook of Critical Psychology is in one sense a book committed to overcoming the alienated character of modular work in the social sciences. By bringing together an assemblage of perspectives from remote disciplinary groupings, the compendium exemplifies an intellectual orientation that rejects the condition of functional separateness in the universe of academic knowledge production. Its declared target is the gamut of ideas, frameworks and activities which belong to mainstream "psychology" – as a (notoriously venal) academic discipline, (sometimes dehumanizing) professional practice, and (unavoidably value-laden) every day, commonsensical resource. And indeed, what emerges from the combined efforts of its contributors is nothing less than a bold and extensive critique, and sometimes revision, of the discipline on multiple fronts."
– Raphael Mackintosh, Psychology in Society

"This Handbook of Critical Theory is a vital source for students, post-graduates, and scholars who are interested in critical psychology and wish to better understand the social structure that produces psychological knowledge. However, it is ultimately for anyone who wishes to transform society and improve the lives of themselves and others. Parker did a marvelous job at covering the immense diversity in the field of psychology. Although the amount of publications found in this book might seem to indicate that critical psychology is popular, the opposite is true. Unfortunately, it is but a sub-field in a vast ocean of sub-fields in psychology, and most psychology departments in the world only give it a small percentage of teaching time. It is not an exaggeration to argue that the majority of psychologists do not see themselves as critical psychologists, at least not in the sense that their efforts are geared toward society's emancipation and the removal of oppression. Most people still get (or perhaps prefer since they are not exposed to any other kind of treatment) the traditional psychological treatment wherein they try and solve their marriage problems; as a result, most people are not told that marriage is a social construct that prevents them from looking outside the individualistic frame of mind to the society and that constructs a patriarchal oppressive structure that leaves women dependent on men. I am sure that this Handbook of Critical Theory will serve students and scholars, as well as activists, as Parker and the authors did a splendid job at lighting the way for human beings' and other creature's emancipation." -Ben Fulman, Metapsychology

"This book reflects critical psychology theories, showing little overlap with mainstream, empirical psychological thinking. Those interested in a depiction of the theory of critical psychology rather than an empirical treatment of psychological phenomena will encounter here a wide-ranging exploration of the issues.Summing Up: Recommended. Graduate students, researchers, faculty."--B. C. Beins, Ithaca College, CHOICE, January 2016

"This handbook does an incredible job of conveying the fundamentals of critical psychology along with an exciting overview of the contemporary scope of this revolutionary approach. Both specialists and students will consider it an essential resource. I will not be surprised if it significantly magnifies the impact of critical psychology around the world." – Tod Sloan, Lewis and Clark College, USA

"A critical engagement with key topics in psychology with reference to critical debates across the field. A crucial resource for all psychology students." – Valerie Walkerdine, School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University, UK