Marxism and Psychology: An Outdated Interest or a Promising Research Field?

Authors: Gezgin UB*

DOI: 10.23880/pprij-16000173

Volume 3, Issue 6

Abstract

In this article, ‘Marxist psychology’ is introduced within a historical and theoretical context. ‘Which Marxism?’ and ‘which psychology?’ were the initial questions for discussion which brought responses related to historical personalities, movements, schools of thoughts, countries and subfields. Alienation, ideology and methodology were considered to be major themes for a Marxist psychology. The relationship between Marxism in power (e.g. Marxism(s) in former Soviet Union and the People’s Republic of China) and psychology was considered as a separate category to compare and contrast it with Marxist criticisms aimed at capitalism in capitalist countries. After briefly discussing the links between Marxism and critical psychology, the article proceeds to subfields of psychology to discuss the actual and potential links.

Keywords: Marxism; Marxist psychology; Critical psychology; Marxist social psychology; Marxist industrial psychology

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