Northampton Electronic Collection of Theses and Research

Becoming a psychologist: professionalism, feminism, activism

Callaghan, J. (2005) Becoming a psychologist: professionalism, feminism, activism. Annual Review of Critical Psychology. 4, pp. 139-154. 1746-739X.

Item Type: Article
Abstract: In this article, I explore the ways in which discourses of ‘professionalisation’ and the psychological construction of ‘femininity’ operate to constrain and block activism amongst South African women psychology students. I use resources from discursive, postcolonial and feminist theory, to analyse extracts from a series of interviews with students about their professional training in psychology. I unpack students’ talk about professionalisation and depoliticisation. I explore the construct of the ‘caring psychologist’ as a possible alternative to the construct of the ‘professional psychologist’, articulating both its potential as a base for resistance to professionalisation, and its limitations as a subject position embedded within constraining discourses of femininity. The article forms part of a larger project, that questions the appropriateness of professionalisation and western models of psychology in the South African context.
Uncontrolled Keywords: psychology; feminism; activism; ethic of care; femininity; South Africa
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology > BF38 Philosophy. Relation to other topics > BF39.9 Critical psychology
H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Women > HQ1101 Women. Feminism
B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology > BF77 Study and teaching
Creators: Callaghan, Jane
Publisher: Discourse Unit, Manchester Metropolitan University
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes: University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Faculty of Health & Society > Psychology
University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Research Group > Social and Cultural Research in Psychology Group
Faculties > Faculty of Health & Society > Psychology
Research Centres > Centre for Psychology and Social Sciences
Date: 2005
Date Type: Publication
Page Range: pp. 139-154
Journal or Publication Title: Annual Review of Critical Psychology
Volume: 4
Language: English
ISSN: 1746-739X
Status: Published / Disseminated
Refereed: Yes
URI: http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/id/eprint/3523

Actions (login required)

Edit Item Edit Item