Foundation For Liberation Summary

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The article “foundation for liberation” written by multiple authors, describes the development of Liberation Psychology and how it impacted and shaped counseling psychology. Liberation psychology can be defined as a psychology and a movement that is designed to help, supports, and be for the oppressed. The development of this was credited by Ignacio Martin- Baro, who was a Jesuit priest. His contribution to the social justice movement was based on the principles and actions of the global Christian Church. As a result, Liberation Psychology has some theological foundation and roots due to its strong Christian influence which formed the objectives and actions of this psychology. Liberation psychology went through a lot of phases of history …show more content…

The four principles are the value of relativism, sociopolitical orientation, ecological and social systems approach, and participant focused methodology. The value of relativism is the concept that culture can only be understood within itself. In relation to Liberation psychology, this is one of the main concepts focused on to understand the oppression of one’s nation. Liberation Psychology emphasizes that oppression can only be understood by the individuals who are experiencing it hence, it relates to the value of relativism. The sociopolitical orientation is the principle that states that it is unjust to place one’s populations will and standards on another. This was evident in the development of liberation psychology as well. During the sociopolitical movement to colonize the “new world”, the Catholic Church played a role in this movement, which meant that they placed their standards and will on other populations. There were some priests that question such actions due to the fact that they felt as if they were forcefully placing their standards on others which are highly unethical, and a contradiction in relation to the principles of the bible. This therefore, contributed to liberation theology and how such phenomenon was understood. Then there is the ecological and social systems approach which relates human behavior to social forces along with historical and cultural influences. This relates to Liberation psychology in terms of understanding how ones culture, history and social forces aided in oppression. Finally, the participant focus methodology is understanding one’s worldview while trying to reduce the influence it has on research and assuring that the research is participant influenced. This is heavily linked to liberation Psychology due to the fact that the focus is on the experience and worldview of the oppressed people and

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