Beyond Adaptation: The Unity of Personal and Social Change in Critical Psychology and Cultural-historical Theory

This book discusses transformative approaches to psychology, social work, and education. Addressing these disciplines’ entanglements with oppressive structures, the contributors aim to reconcile individual support with social justice. In current times of accelerating crises, professionals often see only few opportunities to influence the conditions of their work. Thinking and acting beyond adaptation, authors from seven countries provide inspiration for researchers, practitioners, and students who want to be more than brokers of a broken system.

Cultural-Historical Theory is a powerful framework that can depict the dynamic of individual minds in society. Building on this, Critical Psychology has formulated an elaborate theory of human agency. Linking individual and social change needs such theorizing. This volume is a rare intellectual exchange by scholars drawing on these traditions. An alternative to both control science and abstract criticism, it inquires the capacity to act.

The editors took part in organizing the Summer School Critical Psychology in Berlin, which inspired this volume.

Till Manderbach has been working on the rehabilitation of individuals with mental health problems both in psychological counseling and as a research associate. He holds a M.Sc. and B.Sc. in psychology from the University of Klagenfurt, Austria.

Johanna Ruge works in the fi eld of higher education research and teacher education. Currently, she is a research associate at Heidelberg University of Education. She holds a Diploma in Psychology from the Freie Universität Berlin.

Peter Brook is a research associate at Brandenburg Medical School, Germany, where he works in psychiatry and psychotherapy research. He holds a M.Sc. and B.Sc. in Psychology from the Psychological University Berlin and University of Hagen.

Eileen Wengemuth is a research associate at Brandenburg Medical School, Germany, where she works in health care research on rehabilitation. She holds a doctorate and a diploma in psychology from University of Marburg. Her doctoral research focused on critique of neuroscience.

Sigga Waleng researches punishment and exclusion in the school system as a PhD-student. She is M.Sc. and B.Sc. in psychology from University of Copenhagen, Denmark. She taught seminars, supervised student projects, and runs a study circle on critical psychology(ies).