Antipsychology
Encyclopedia
Anti-psychology describes the resistance, suspicion, and hostility that some people feel towards psychological
treatment. It is not a wholly accurate term, as critics tend to focus on psychological intervention in cases of mental illness
rather than on psychology as a science, which covers a broad and diverse spectrum of topics. Some critics of psychology deny that mental illness exists at all, arguing that psychology aims to pathologise perfectly normal variations in human behaviour; whereas others accept the existence of mental illness but state that current mainstream psychological interventions are ineffective at best and unethical at worst.
Critiques against the application of psychology in its entirety often stem from moral objections to the degradation of the psyche
through reductive systematic categorization. In this context the term "anti-psychology" may describe discontent with the incorporation of psychological tenets and techniques into religious practice. It may also describe the view that psychological manipulation
affects the sovereignty of cognitive processes, corrupting free will. Psychology applied in this manner is readily discerned in advertising.
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
treatment. It is not a wholly accurate term, as critics tend to focus on psychological intervention in cases of mental illness
Mental illness
A mental disorder or mental illness is a psychological or behavioral pattern generally associated with subjective distress or disability that occurs in an individual, and which is not a part of normal development or culture. Such a disorder may consist of a combination of affective, behavioural,...
rather than on psychology as a science, which covers a broad and diverse spectrum of topics. Some critics of psychology deny that mental illness exists at all, arguing that psychology aims to pathologise perfectly normal variations in human behaviour; whereas others accept the existence of mental illness but state that current mainstream psychological interventions are ineffective at best and unethical at worst.
Critiques against the application of psychology in its entirety often stem from moral objections to the degradation of the psyche
Psyche (psychology)
The word psyche has a long history of use in psychology and philosophy, dating back to ancient times, and has been one of the fundamental concepts for understanding human nature from a scientific point of view. The English word soul is sometimes used synonymously, especially in older...
through reductive systematic categorization. In this context the term "anti-psychology" may describe discontent with the incorporation of psychological tenets and techniques into religious practice. It may also describe the view that psychological manipulation
Psychological manipulation
Psychological manipulation is a type of social influence that aims to change the perception or behavior of others through underhanded, deceptive, or even abusive tactics. By advancing the interests of the manipulator, often at the other's expense, such methods could be considered exploitative,...
affects the sovereignty of cognitive processes, corrupting free will. Psychology applied in this manner is readily discerned in advertising.