Psychology of Liberation

Since the mid-1980s, the psychology of liberation movement has been a catalyst for collective and individual change in communities throughout Latin America, and beyond; and recent political developments are making its powerful, transformative ideas more relevant than ever before. Psychology of Liberation: Theory and Applications updates the activist frameworks developed by Ignacio Martin-Baro and Paulo Freire with compelling stories from the frontlines of conflict in the developing and developed worlds, as social science and psychological practice are allied with struggles for peace, justice, and equality.

In these chapters, liberation is presented as both an ongoing process and a core dimension of wellbeing, entailing the reconstruction of social identity and the transformation of all parties involved, both oppressed and oppressors. It also expands the social consciousness of professionals, bringing more profound meaning to practice and enhancing related areas such as peace psychology, as shown in articles such as these:

• Philippines: the role of liberation movements in the transition to democracy.

• Venezuela: liberation psychology as a therapeutic intervention with street youth.

• South Africa: the movement for representational knowledge.

• Muslim world: religion, the state, and the gendering of human rights.

• Ireland: linking personal and political development.

• Australia: addressing issues of racism, identity, and immigration.

• Colombia: building cultures of peace from the devastation of war.

Psychology of Liberation demonstrates the commitment to overcome social injustices and oppression. The book is a critical resource for social and community psychologists as well as policy analysts. It can also be used as a text for graduate courses in psychology, sociology, social work and community studies.

Contenu
Praxis and Liberation in the Context of Latin American Theory.- Ignacio Martín-Baró's Social Psychology of Liberation: Situated Knowledge and Critical Commitment Against Objectivism.- Towards a Really Social Psychology: Liberation Psychology Beyond Latin America.- Methods for Liberation: Critical Consciousness in Action.- Liberating South African Psychology: The Legacy of Racism and the Pursuit of Representative Knowledge Production.- Immigration and Identity: The Ongoing Struggles for Liberation.- Reflections on Liberation Psychology in Action in an Irish Context.- Liberation Movements During Democratic Transition: Positioning with the Changing State.- The Game of War: The Liberating Action of Games in a Context of Political Polarization.- Liberating the Hijab.- Development of Historical Memory as a Psychosocial Recovery Process.- Psychological Accompaniment: Construction of Cultures of Peace Among a Community Affected by War.- Liberation Psychology on the Street: Working with Youngsters Who have Lived on the Streets of Caracas.- New Challenges for the Psychology of Liberation: Building Frameworks for Social Coexistence.- Gendering Peace and Liberation: A Participatory-Action Approach to Critical Consciousness Acquisition Among Women in a Marginalized Neighborhood.