Decolonial Psychology and Dialogues of Resistance

Interweaving rich theory on dialogism, power, and resistance together with situated scenarios addressing the production of psychological knowledge, this book explores decoloniality as it interfaces with strategic fields in psychology.

Current movements in global sentiment have raised important calls for decolonial action. In this volume an international set of authors come together to critically challenge power by considering how colonial mindsets develop and are retained. Drawing on dialogism inspired by Bakhtin, Vygotsky, and other leading thinkers of dialogicality, the book focuses on dialogue and how it is tied to the ability to think in ways outside colonial mindsets. It challenges approaches that run the risk of bypassing how fundamental colonialism has become for human thinking, and incorporates visions to consider how, both conceptually and methodologically, a postcolonial or decolonial psychology can be done. In so doing, it guides readers beyond the status quo to consider a program to improve psychology, formulate a new psychological culture, and bring about discussion beyond the permanent – yet generative – tension between liberating and subordinating psychologies.

The book will be key reading for theoretical and critical psychology scholars and postgraduate students, particularly those interested in community engagement and decolonizing psychology. It will also be of interest to those engaged in research in Bakhtian studies, critical theory, and power studies.