The Psychology of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Creative Maladjustment" at Societal Injustice and Oppression. (25th June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Allen, Aerielle M.; Leach, Colin Wayne
• Editors: Stewart, Andrew L.; Sweetman, Joseph
• Is Part Of: Journal of social issues. Volume 74:Number 2(2018)
• Page Start: 317
• Page End: 336
• Publication Date: 2018-06-25
• Subjects: Social problems -- Periodicals; Social psychology -- Periodicals; United States -- Social conditions -- 1945- -- Periodicals; Sociology; Psychology, Social; Problèmes sociaux -- Périodiques; Psychologie sociale -- Périodiques; États-Unis -- Conditions sociales -- 1945- -- Périodiques; Sociale psychologie; Electronic journals; 305
• DOI: 10.1111/josi.12271
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-4537

Abstract

Abstract: Many theoretical frameworks in psychology are premised on the notion that people are hedonistic in nature—drawn to pleasure and avoidant of discomfort. In this essay, we argue that psychology's hedonism contrasts with Martin Luther King Jr's conception of creative maladjustment, wherein a feeling of "cosmic discontent" is focused on the ugly truth of societal injustice. After reviewing hedonistic assumptions in the psychology of coping, well‐being, and views of societal inequality, we discuss MLK's conception of creative maladjustment and tie it to critical consciousness and the present‐day idea of being "woke." We then use MLK's ideas as a lens on contemporary psychological research of views of societal injustice "from above" and "from below." We suggest that MLK's analysis continues to challenge psychology to develop an approach to cognition, emotion, and motivation at societal injustice that identifies the ethical value of a sustained discontent that illuminates truth and animates opposition.