FEMINIST PSYCHOLOGY

The Historical and Contemporary Perspectives of Feminist Psychology

The Historical and Contemporary Perspectives of Feminist Psychology

Introduction

Feminist Psychology includes approaches to psychologies which draw on Feminist Theory to critique mainstream psychology for its tendency to focus on the experience of men as the 'norm'. Its aim, therefore, is to both incorporate an understanding of women's psychological experience and also detail the often sexist and heterosexist underpinnings of much mainstream psychological research.

This research analysis is based on the psychoanalysis of feminist theory in relation to the theories and perspective presented by various authors. In this study we try to explore the concept of the basic flaws that are presented in the feminist theories in a holistic context. The main focus of the research is on theories presented by various psychologist and sociologist and its relation with the changing behavior of women and the feminism. The research also analyzes many aspects of Feminist Theories and tries to gauge its effect on clinical psychology. Further to this, the research will analyze the feminist psychologist methods that have impacted the theories and behavior of women. Finally the research describes various factors which are responsible for evolution of these theories and tries to describe the overall effect of Feminist behavior on the society.

Historical Perspective

Historically, feminist psychology has emerged as a grassroots movement, but it is possible to trace its origins and identify some landmarks in the United States, especially in the works of Weisstein and Gilligan, where they denounced prevailing sexist biases and women's nonexistence in psychology. These pioneers emphasized that there were no female authors in any of the major theories of human development and psychological functioning and that women have been missing and ignored, even as research participants, at the formative stages of psychological theories. As Weisstein pointed out in 1971, “psychology is men's fantasy.” That is, scientists draw their conclusions from investigating men and blindly generalize men's experiences to the experiences and lives of women but not vice versa. Weisstein's article, “Psychology Constructs the Female,” challenged the predominant sexism in psychology while pointing out a double criticism of mainstream psychology, that it lacks scientific rigor and that it ignores the role played by social contexts.

The history of emergence of feminist movements is divided into three 'waves' and each is defined in relation with dealing with same prospects of feminist issues and conditions. The staring of first wave emerged through 19th century and early 20th centuries, whose main focus was on the educational rights for the women. The second wave emerged during 160's and 1980's that dealt with inequality of laws of socialism and cultural aspects against women. The third wave of feminism was the starting of 21st century which dealt with the responses to the failures of early movements.

Discrimination against women hindered women's access to, and success in, certain professions. Women encountered discriminatory practices when applying for graduate training, in hiring, and in publishing their research. In addition, Practice and research methodology were exemplified by male biasness which controlled the selection ...