"Hybrid psychology agent": Overcoming the about/for dichotomy from praxis. (June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Macías-Gómez-Estern, Beatriz
• Is Part Of: Theory & psychology. Volume 30:Number 3(2020:Jun.)
• Page Start: 430
• Page End: 435
• Publication Date: 2020-06
• Subjects: critical theory -- identity -- minorities -- service learning -- third space; Psychology -- Periodicals; 150.1
• DOI: 10.1177/0959354320923726
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-3543

Abstract

I draw on my experience in community development with "othered" groups to present the idea of the "hybrid psychology agent." This, I contend, is a key figure in overcoming the dichotomies alleged by Indigenous psychologists and confronted by Held (2020). On the one hand, the concept is rooted in hands-on work in multicultural settings. It is also supported by Cultural-Historical research through projects such as Service Learning that connect higher education students with disenfranchised Roma children. On the other hand, the concept follows a critical theory framework where, as implied by Held, a paradigm shift in science is needed. The issue at point is not whether folk Indigenous knowledge should replace so-called objective knowledge, but how the latter should embrace the experience of a more diverse psychological object and subject, mainly through the participation of "othered" people as psychology scientists and practitioners.