Be the Change Podcast

Feminist psychology and intersectionality are two fields that focus on gender-conscious approaches to understanding psychological phenomena. They challenge traditional roles, promote equality, and recognize how various social identities intersect to shape experiences of privilege and oppression. Both fields contribute to social justice efforts and policy change by challenging norms. They emphasize holistic perspectives, inclusivity, and dismantling oppressive systems. Psychoanalysis explores the unconscious mind and early childhood experiences, while the nature vs. nurture debate examines the role of biology and environmental factors in shaping behavior. Second wave feminism influenced feminist psychology by highlighting the need to examine gender biases. A comprehensive plan is proposed to promote positive change in psychology, including self-education, mental health awareness, community dialogues, collaboration, and global efforts. Cultural competence and intersectionality should be Hello, my name is Catherine Payne. Today I am discussing feminist psychology and intersectionality inspired by psychoanalysis, and I will be exploring it through the lens of nature vs. nurture debate. I would like to start by describing each topic, starting with feminist psychology. Feminist psychology emphasizes understanding gender-related issues, power dynamics, and impact of societal norms on mental health. It aims to challenge traditional roles and promote equality. Building on this, let's delve into intersectionality. Intersectionality considers how various social identities such as race, gender, class, and sexuality intersect and shape experiences of privilege and oppression. It is a crucial lens for understanding complex human behavior. Intersectionality, coined by illegal scholar and activist Kimberly Crenshaw in 1989, recognizes the intersection of identities like race, class, sexuality, and disability, fostering unique experiences. Both fields promote inclusivity by acknowledging diverse experiences, informing social justice efforts, and contributing to policy change by challenging norms. Feminist psychology and intersectionality are two fields that focus on gender-conscious approaches to understanding psychological phenomena. Feminist psychology challenges traditional gender roles and stereotypes, focusing on the impact of societal expectations on mental health. It explores power dynamics related to gender, sexuality, and intersectional identities, Rickett 2016. It advocates for social justice by dismantling oppressive structures and contributing to a more inclusive society. Feminist psychology and intersectionality are transforming social thinking in the future. They emphasize holistic perspectives, challenging binary thinking, and advocating for social justice. They move beyond rigid dictamines, acknowledging intersectional complexities. They prioritize activism, advocacy, and systemic change, focusing on dismantling oppressive systems. They also encourage inclusive research and policies, addressing intersecting inequalities. These frameworks guide us toward a more compassionate, equitable, and interconnected future, fostering a more inclusive and equitable society, Rosenthal 2016. Psychoanalysis, pioneered by Sigmund Freud, delves into the unconscious mind, early childhood experiences, and interpersonal relationships. While it has its limitations, it influences discussions about human behavior and mental health. The nature versus nurture debate is a complex issue that explores the role of biological and developmental factors in shaping human behavior. Advocates of the nature side argue that individuals are born with certain levels of extroversion, while those of the nurture side emphasize how environmental factors shape personality traits. Intersectionality theory, rooted in feminist psychology, examines intersecting oppressions based on social identities, such as race, gender, and class. Both nature and nurture interact with biological predispositions, intersecting with lived experiences, such as cultural norms, shaping an individual's behavior and identity, Sasaki and Kim 2017. The second wave feminism, 1960s to 1980s, Evans 1995-1998, emerged into the 1960s and 1980s, challenging traditional gender roles, advocating for reproductive rights, equal pay, and ending gender-based discrimination. This movement influenced feminist psychology by emphasizing the need to examine gender biases. A comprehensive plan for promoting positive change in psychology, focusing on cultural neuroscience, intersectionality, and feminist psychology is proposed. This plan includes self-education, reflection, and learning, promoting mental health awareness, community dialogues, collaboration, amplifying voices, and global collaboration. Individuals should continuously educate themselves about these topics, while community dialogues should create safe spaces for sharing experiences. Collaboration with local organizations and schools can address cultural nuances in mental health support. Globally, research and policy should support research that bridges cultural neuroscience and intersectionality, advocating for policies promoting equity and mental health access. International collaboration should learn from diverse cultural practices and adapt evidence-based interventions. Finally, cultural competence and intersectionality should be included in educational curricula worldwide. Let us continue advocating for inclusivity and dismantling oppressive systems. Thank you for listening.