TOWARD A PSYCHOLOGY OF TOWARD A PSYCHOLOGY OF LIBERATION: LIBERATION:

FOUNDATIONS, APPLICATIONS FOUNDATIONS, APPLICATIONS AND CHALLENGESAND CHALLENGES

Isaac PrilleltenskyIsaac Prilleltensky

University of MiamiUniversity of Miami

isaac@miami.edu

www.education.miami.edu/isaacwww.education.miami.edu/isaac

WHAT IS LIBERATION PSYCHOLOGYWHAT IS LIBERATION PSYCHOLOGY??

Liberation psychology is concerned with the promotion of psychological theories and practices that reflect a cogent set of moral principles that promote the liberation of individuals, groups, and collectives.

As a value-based psychology, liberation psychology is concerned not only with what IS but also with what SHOULD BE, and with the contributions psychology can make towards that end.

ORDER OF PRESENTATIONORDER OF PRESENTATION

RATIONALERATIONALE

PROPOSALPROPOSAL

FOUNDATIONSFOUNDATIONS

APPLICATIONSAPPLICATIONS

CHALLENGESCHALLENGES

RATIONALERATIONALE Psychology is concerned with describing and predicting behavior Psychology has shied away from explicitly prescribing behavior

However, we are, in effect, involved in creating culture and in prescribing behavior. Even if we don’t want to assume that responsibility, we make value judgments all the time. Hence, it’s better to be explicit about our values.

Psychology is concerned with what IS Psychology has shied away from SHOULD

If no one is concerned with how individuals SHOULD lead their lives, and how governments and societies SHOULD treat their citizens, then we are stuck with the status quo. Hence, psychology can and should contribute to creating a better society.

As a value based psychology, liberation psychology is concerned with

A good and free live for individuals A good and free society

PROPOSALPROPOSAL((What the SHOULD is all about)What the SHOULD is all about)

THREE TYPES OF WELLNESSTHREE TYPES OF WELLNESS

PERSONAL WELLNESS

RELATIONAL WELLNESS

COLLECTIVE WELLNESS

Health Respect for diversity

Social justice

Self determination

Collaboration and democratic participation

Support for social structures

Meaning and Spirituality Liberation from intrapsychic oppressive forces

Caring and compassion Liberation from interpersonal oppression

Support for the environment Liberation from societal oppressive forces

A Matter of BalanceA Matter of Balance

Foreground and background

Personal well-beingPersonal well-being

Collective well-beingCollective well-being

Relational well-beingRelational well-being

PRINCIPLES FOR THE APPLICATION OF VALUESPRINCIPLES FOR THE APPLICATION OF VALUES

1. Advancing the well-being of disadvantaged communities requires actualizing all five values in a balanced way.

2. Within a given social ecology, some values appear at the foreground of our consciousness while others remain in the background. We must move the neglected values to the foreground to attain the necessary balance

3. Within the present social context, the value of social justice remains in the background. By neglecting this value, we reinforce the same unjust state of affairs that disadvantaged many communities in the first place.

4. We must distinguish between ameliorating living conditions within the present social structure and transforming the conditions that create disadvantage

5. We must expand the implementation of values from micro and meso contexts to macro social ecologies

From micro to macro spheresFrom micro to macro spheres

Two Forms of CaringTwo Forms of Caring

Proximal caring– Caring– Compassion– Empathy– Therapy

Distal caring – Justice– Equality – Liberation– Social action

Foundations for a Liberation Foundations for a Liberation PsychologyPsychology

Ecological Level Oppression Resistance and Liberation

Well-Being

Personal Internalized, psychological oppression

Conscientization situates personal struggle in social and political context

Control, choice, self-esteem, competence, political rights, positive identity

Relational “Power over”, domination of or by others

“Power with”, power sharing, egalitarian, solidarity

Positive and supportive relationships, participation

Collective Oppressive social practices and policies

Resistance, social action

Access to valued resources

Foundations for a Liberation PsychologyFoundations for a Liberation Psychology

Ecological Spheres

Well being Values Oppression and Social Justice

Praxis

Individual Absence of disorder

Positive subjective well being

Health Unequal distribution of health problems and exposure to risk

Health promotion and prevention

Voice, choice and control

Perceptions of control, self efficacy and mastery

Citizen participation

Self-determination and participation

Empowerment

Disempowerment and internalized oppression

Consciousness raising

Transformation of settings

Foundations for a Liberation Foundations for a Liberation PsychologyPsychology

Ecological Spheres

Well being Values Oppression and Social Justice

Praxis

Relational Positive social relations

Caring and compassion

Social exclusion Informal supports

Positive identity

Pride

Transformation of settings

Elimination of stigma

Diversity Racism, sexism, heterosexism, ableism, and classism

Celebration of strengths and diversity

Confronting racism, sexism, heterosexism, ableism and classism

Foundations for a Liberation Foundations for a Liberation PsychologyPsychology

Ecological Spheres

Well being Values Oppression and Social Justice

Praxis

Collective Accessible social programs

Social capital and sense of community

Support for community structures

Barriers to resources

Low social capital

Advocacy for universal services

Community capacity building

Elimination of poverty

Distributive justice Extreme economic inequality

Social change

Investment in human and community economic development

Liberation: Freedom from and Liberation: Freedom from and freedom to……(Erich Fromm)freedom to……(Erich Fromm)

Sites of Well-Being

Individual Relational Organizational Communal Environmental

Objective signs

+health- illness

+networks-isolation

+resources- lack of resources

-social capital-lack of trust

+clean air-pollution

Subjectivesigns

+efficacy-lack of control

+voice-repression

+support-isolation

+belonging-rejection

+safety-fear

Values as source and strategy

+autonomy-lack of power

+caring-neglect

+participation-marginality

+diversity-discrimination

+protection of resources-depletion of resources

Justice as source and strategy

My due/Our due

Your due/Our due

Its due/Our due Their due/Our due

Nature’s due/Our due

APPLICATIONSAPPLICATIONS

Therapy and counseling Community programs Social policies Research

Applications in Counseling and TherapyApplications in Counseling and Therapy

Domain Values

Questions

Caring and compassion Does it promote the expression of care, empathy, and concern for the physical and emotional wellbeing of other human being?

Self-determination Does it promote the ability of individuals to pursue their chosen goals without excessive frustration and in consideration of other people’s needs?

Human diversity Does it promote respect and appreciation for diverse social identities?

Participation Does it promote a peaceful, respectful, and equitable process whereby citizens have meaningful input into decisions affecting their lives?

Distributive justice Does it promote the fair and equitable allocation of bargaining powers, resources and obligations in society?

Applications in PoliciesApplications in Policies

Values Policies

Self-determination Devise policies in consultation with community stakeholders

Health Facilitate access to health care services through universal and outreach programs

Personal growth Establish policies for teaching employment skills and for accessible recreational and educational opportunities

Social justice Implement equitable policies and taxation laws that provide adequate resources to the poor

Support for enabling community structures

Promote policies that strengthen high quality basic community services such as education, health and income security

Respect for diversity Promote inclusive work and social policies that do not discriminate on basis of marital status, gender, ability, sexual orientation, class, culture, or any other source of social power

Collaboration and democratic participation

Promote educational policies that teach importance of civic duties and skills required for meaningful participation in democracy

Values in Programs

Self determination: Promote voice and choice of community members in selection and administration of programs Caring and compassion: Establish networks of support and create self-help groups Educational and personal development: Build into programs competency enhancing components for personal, educational and occupational growth Social justice: Offer comprehensive supports that meet the needs for housing and economic security of disadvantaged families Support for the community: Create awareness and support for creation and preservation of effective formal and informal supports Respect for diversity: Consult with diverse groups of stakeholders and develop inclusive and culturally sensitive programs based on partnerships with the community

Values and principles of transformative research

1. Self-determination and participation (empowerment)■ Research should be attuned to issues of power and promote the power of disadvantaged people■ Research begins with the experiences and concerns of disadvantaged people■ Research process is democratized so as to maximize the participation of disadvantaged people in all aspects of the research■ Research uses qualitative methods that give voice to disadvantaged people

2. Community and inclusion■ Research strives to develop authentic and supportive relationships among researchers,disadvantaged people and other stakeholders■ Research should be directed towards the goal of building solidarity for social change

Values and principles of transformative research

3. Social justice and accountability to oppressed groups

■ Research money should be distributed in a way that provides job and trainingopportunities as co-researchers for members of disadvantaged groups■ Research findings should be used for education and/or advocacy to create social change

4. Reflexivity

■ Research should use emergent (or flexible) research designs■ Research should provide an educational component■ Research should be demystified so that knowledge is accessible to all, not just researchers■ Research should involve all stakeholders in the interpretation of findings andrecommendations for change

Roles for Transformative Action Roles for Transformative Action ResearchersResearchers

I VALUE IT Inclusive Host Visionary Asset Seeker Listener Unique Solution Finder Evaluator Implementer Trendsetter

CHALLENGESCHALLENGES

1. Neglect of balance in values

2. Neglect of context

3. Neglect of power differentials

Values out of balanceValues out of balanceToo much Domain of

well-beingToo little

Individualism

Personal

Self –determination Oppression

Romantic social capital

Relational

Social support

Isolation, alienation

Personal sacrifice

Collective

Support for the community

Competition, injustice

Practice out of contextPractice out of contextOn Context…..Stokols says….On Context…..Stokols says….

The healthfulness of a situation and the well-being of its participants are assumed to be influenced by multiple facets of both the physical environment (e.g., geography, architecture, and technology) and the social environment (e.g., culture, economics, and politics). Moreover, the health status of individuals and groups is influenced not only by environmental factors but also by a variety of personal attributes, including genetic heritage, psychological dispositions, and behavioral patterns.

Stokols continues…..Stokols continues…..

Thus, efforts to promote human well-being should be based on an understanding of the dynamic interplay among diverse environmental and personal factors rather than on analyses that focus exclusively on environmental, biological, or behavioral factors. (Stokols, 2000, p. 27)

Seligman says……Seligman says……

Seligman laments that “changing these (external) circumstances is usually impractical and expensive” (2002, p. 50)

Seligman tells readers that, “even if you could alter all of the external circumstances above, it would not do much for you, since together they probably account for no more than between 8 and 15 percent of the variance in happiness” (Authentic Happiness, 2002, p. 61).

Really?

Positive Psychology FoundationsPositive Psychology Foundations

Genetics – 50%

Volitional factors – 40%

Circumstances – 10%

Seligman continues…..Seligman continues…..

The very good news is that there are quite a number of internal circumstances that will likely work for you…which are more under your voluntary control. If you decide to change them…your level of happiness is likely to increase lastingly. (Seligman, 2002, Authentic Happiness: The New Science of Positive Psychology, p. 61)

Seligman Engages in Seligman Engages in Context Minimization ErrorContext Minimization Error

“Tendency to ignore the impact of enduring neighborhood and community contexts on human behavior. The error has adverse consequences for understanding psychological processes and efforts at social change” (Shinn and Toohey, 2003, p. 428).

It’s Like Venice…..It’s Like Venice…..

Venice’s LessonVenice’s Lesson

“The psychotherapist, social worker or social reformer, concerned only with his own clients and their grievance against society, perhaps takes a view comparable to the private citizen of Venice who concerns himself only with the safety of his own dwelling and his own ability to get about the city. But if the entire republic is slowly being submerged, individual citizens cannot afford to ignore their collective fate, because, in the end, they all drown together if nothing is done” (Badcock, 1982)

How Do We Address Power How Do We Address Power Imbalance in the Helping Imbalance in the Helping

Professions?Professions?

Values do not exist outside powerRealization of well-being depends on powerRealization of values depends on power Psychopolitical validity

– Epistemic– Transformational

Psychopolitical ValidityPsychopolitical Validity

Psychopolitical validity derives from the consideration of power dynamics in psychological and political domains of health.

The main objective of psychopolitical validity is to infuse in helping professions an awareness of the role of power in justice and well-being.

Psychopolitical ValidityPsychopolitical Validity

In order to attain psychopolitical validity, investigations and interventions would have to meet certain criteria. These criteria have to do with the extent to which research and action incorporate lessons about psychological and political power.

Psychopolitical Validity I: Epistemic Psychopolitical Validity I: Epistemic

This type of validity is achieved by the systematic account of the role of power in political and psychological dynamics affecting phenomena of interest.

Such account needs to consider the role of power in the psychology and politics of well-being, oppression and liberation, at the personal, relational, and collective domains.

Psychopolitical Validity II: Psychopolitical Validity II: TransformationalTransformational

Transformational validity derives from the potential of our actions to promote personal, relational, and collective wellness by reducing power inequalities and increasing political action

Table 1Guidelines for Epistemic Psychopolitical Validity in Critical Community Psychology

Concerns Domains

Collective Relational Personal

Wellness Accounts for role of political and economic power in economic prosperity and in creation of institutions that promote equality and public health

Studies the role of power in creating and sustaining egalitarian relationships, social cohesion, social support, respect for diversity and democratic participation in communities, groups, and families

Studies role of psychological and political power in achieving self-determination, empowerment, health, personal growth, meaning and spirituality

Oppression Explores role of globalization, colonization and exploitation in illness and suffering of nations and communities

Examines the role of political and psychological power in exclusion and discrimination based on class, gender, age, race, education and ability.Studies conditions leading to lack of support, horizontal violence and fragmentation within oppressed groups

Studies role of powerlessness in learned helplessness, hopelessness, self-deprecation, internalized oppression, shame, physical and mental health problems and addictions

Liberation Deconstructs ideological norms that lead to acquiescence and studies effective psychopolitical factors in resistance to norms that cause illness

Studies acts of solidarity and compassion with others who suffer from oppression and illness

Examines sources of health, strength, resilience, solidarity and development of activism and leadership

Table 2Guidelines for Transformational Psychopolitical Validity

Concerns Domains

Collective Relational Personal

Well-being Contributes to institutions that support health, emancipation, human development, peace, protection of environment, and social justice

Contributes to power equalization in relationships and communities. Enriches awareness of subjective and psychological forces preventing solidarity. Builds trust, connection and participation in groups that support social cohesion, health and social justice

Supports personal empowerment, health, sociopolitical development, leadership training and solidarity. Contributes to personal and social responsibility and awareness of subjective forces preventing commitment to justice and personal depowerment when in position of privilege

Oppression Opposes economic colonialism and denial of cultural rights. Decries and resists role of own reference group or nation in oppression of others and deterioration of health in other groups

Contributes to struggle against in-group and out-group domination and discrimination, sexism and norms of violence. Builds awareness of own prejudice and participation in horizontal violence

Helps to prevent acting out of own oppression on others. Builds awareness of internalized oppression and role of dominant ideology in victim-blaming. Contributes to personal depowerment of people in position of privilege

Liberation Supports networks of resistance and social change movements that pursue health and wellness. Contributes to structural depowerment of privileged people

Supports resistance against objectification of others. Develops processes of mutual accountability

Helps to resists complacency and collusion with exploitative and illness producing system. Contributes to struggle to recover personal health and political identity

Example 1: Miami SPEC projectExample 1: Miami SPEC projectOrganizational conditions leading to transformative Organizational conditions leading to transformative

practice: Findings from a multi-case study, action research practice: Findings from a multi-case study, action research investigationinvestigation

University of Miami SPEC Team– Isaac Prilleltensky– Ora Prilleltensky– Scot Evans– Adrine McKenzie– Debbie Nogueras– Randy Penfield– Corinne Huggins– Nick Mescia

What is transformative practice?What is transformative practice?

In the context of community, educational, health, and human service organizations, we define transformative practice as consisting of four principles– Strengths– Prevention– Empowerment– Community change

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DRAIN VS. SPEC APPROACHESDRAIN VS. SPEC APPROACHES

Drain Approach Deficits-based Reactive Alienating Individualistic Problems Too little Too late Too costly Too unrealistic

SPEC Approach Strengths-based Primary Prevention Empowerment Community change

Opportunity Built to last Starts early and saves $$$ Creates civic engagement Builds social movement

Quadrant IIIExamples:Crisis work, therapy, medications, symptom containment, case management

Quadrant IExamples:Community development, affordable housing policy, recreational opportunities, high quality schools and accessible health services

Quadrant IIExamples:Skill building, emotional literacy, fitness programs, personal improvement plans, resistance to peer pressure in drug and alcohol use

Quadrant IVExamples:Food banks, shelters for homeless people, charities, prison industrial complex

Collective

Proactive

Individual

Reactive

Time and place of interventions

THIS IS WHERE WE ARE

THIS IS WHERE WE NEED TO BE

Quadrant IExamples:Voice and choice in celebrating and building competencies, recognition of personal and collective resilience

Quadrant IIExamples:Voice and choice in deficit reduction approaches, participation in decisions how to treat affective disorders or physical disorders

Strength

Empowerment

Deficit

Detachment

Focus and engagement in interventions

Quadrant IIIExamples:Labeling and diagnosis, “patienthood” and clienthood,” citizens in passive role

Quadrant IVExamples:Just say no! You can do it! Cheerleading approaches, Make nice approaches

THIS IS WHERE WE ARE

THIS IS WHERE WE NEED TO BE

Context of InvestigationContext of Investigation

Action research with 5 community based organizations (CBOs) to promote Strengths, Prevention, Empowerment, Community Change

Three year study consisting of 1. Training2. Team work3. Consultation 4. Professional development5. Action research

Context of InvestigationContext of Investigation

Organizations selected on basis of “readiness” Organizations consist of

– Major local funder (MF)– Major provider of health services for poor (HS)– Organization that promotes early interventions (EI)– Local civic coalition (LC)– Local human service (HS)

Budgets range from $ 1 million to over $ 100 million Personnel ranges from 15 to 700

Context of InvestigationContext of Investigation

Intervention components 1. Training

Each organization sends reps to 18 person class 3 hours biweekly Lecture, discussion, application

2. Team work Transformation teams meet biweekly

3. Consultation A researcher assigned to each organization Weekly or biweekly consultations

4. Professional development5. Action research

Research DesignResearch Design Action Goal of overall project: Promote SPEC practices in

organizations to improve community well-being Research Goals of overall project:

– Assess whether organizations become more aligned with SPEC principles as a result of interventions

– If so, how Data collection

– Quantitative and qualitative methods at baseline, year one, and end of project

Goal of present study: Examine organizational conditions leading to SPEC based on qualitative data gathered through interviews, focus groups, and field notes with about 80 different participants in the five organizations

OUTCOME: SPEC IN THE COMMUNITY

Strength based approaches

Preventive approaches

Empowering approaches

Community change approaches

ORGANIZATIONAL CONDITIONSClimate Resources Support Consciousness

INTERVENTIONS TO PROMOTE SPEC

Training T Team Consultation Action Research

Professional Development

Findings: Organizational Conditions Findings: Organizational Conditions for Transformative Practicefor Transformative Practice

Organizational Conditions for Organizational Conditions for Transformative PracticeTransformative Practice

Example 2: New SPECsExample 2: New SPECs Three-year Three-year action research project in South East mid-size Cityaction research project in South East mid-size City

Nazaret Center

MLKCenter

Healthy City

Island Center

John Snow Foundation

New New SSPPEECCs Projects ProjectCenter for Community StudiesCenter for Community Studies

Vanderbilt UniversityVanderbilt University

Vanderbilt New SPECs TeamKimberly Bess, Patricia ConwayScot Evans, Carrie Hanlin, Diana McCown, Bob Newbrough, Doug Perkins, Isaac Prilleltensky

Summary of Outcomes for Nashville Summary of Outcomes for Nashville New SPECs Project New SPECs Project

New mission statements Research publications Tools to measure SPEC New policies at United Way New outreach programs More youth and client involvement Assessment of projects in light of SPEC More prevention efforts in organizations Empowered counselors Blending of therapy with social change

     

In every act, in every interaction, in every social action,

we hold each other accountable to promote 

People’s dignity, safety, hope and growthRelationships based on caring, compassion and respect

Societies based on justice, communion and equality 

We are all better when these values are in balance To put these values into action, we will:

Share our powerBe proactive and not just reactive

Transform the conditions that create problems for youthEncourage youth and families to promote a caring

communityNurture visions that make the impossible, possible

We commit to uphold these values withYouth and their Families

Our EmployeesOur OrganizationOur Community

This is a living document. We invite you to discuss it, to critique it, to live it