critical psychology essay
TRANSCRIPT
7/27/2019 Critical Psychology Essay
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/critical-psychology-essay 1/3
Coming from a developing country where the mental health field is still relatively young, I have
witnessed a mental health system that is heavily biochemical oriented and depends entirely on
the use of medication to rescue the patients from psychological distress. Furthermore the
treatment of mental illness has been entirely decided by the therapist . The patient’s subjective
experiences, wishes and dreams have been altogether disregarded. This, in turn, creates stigma
and prejudice against individuals who experience symptoms of mental distress.
Aghast at this injustice, I became convinced that a more humane, comprehensive and effective
approach to the understanding of mental illness is imperative. From this conviction grew my
ambition of evaluating the effect of the existing mental health care system on the individuals
they claim to help. I have sought to develop the toughness and obstinacy to satisfy my ambition:
against fierce international competition I won a fully-funded scholarship to read Psychology at
university of Westminster and earned a first class honours degree.
During my time at university, the Critical Psychology was the module that called out to me the
most. Not only because it fascinated me with the way it challenges the status quo, it also gave me
the strength and the ability to question taken-for-granted assumptions, seeking for an
alternative way of thinking that would bring social justice to the disadvantaged.
Believing in the reflexive nature of the Critical Movement, I exercise the habit of critically
looking at my own underlying belief and value as a researcher. I challenged myself by examining
the most taken-for-granted conclusions, one of which was demonstrated by my final year
presentation analysing the traditional research supporting the claim that pornography has a
direct negative effect on attitude towards women. I successfully pointed out how such research,
even with good intentions in mind, utilised a reductionist approach hence became a convenient
mean of directing the problem into the discourse of pornography, dodging broader question
about society, culture and individual responsibility. The presentation sparked heated debates
and new ideas in the classroom and was graded as first class by the module leader despite the
original concern that the topic was too ‘controversial’.
I am passionate about the topic and have sought to extend my knowledge beyond what is taught
at my undergraduate study. Being a member of the Radical Psychology Network and the
Hearing Network movement, I am connected with ideas, debates and news about the critical
movement all around the world. I have attended training courses about topics such as hearing
voices and paranoia and workshops that would enable me to utilise such knowledge for the
practical application such as clean language and brief therapy. Furthermore my current work as
a Recovery Support Worker for Community Options has given me the opportunity to put suchknowledge in practice: For example I utilise optimistic language and open questions in my
7/27/2019 Critical Psychology Essay
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/critical-psychology-essay 2/3
engagement with the service users as a part of the person-centred approach to promote the
service user involvement movement.
Fighting for social justice and equality has always been my mission in life. Spending a year
working at a charity whose value is to give young people the chance to change the world
through helping school children to break through the cycle of underachievement and low
aspiration; I am drawn to tasks which aim to promote this idealism. Moreover my sense of
community and my appreciation toward cultural differences were further enhanced while
assisted London Citizen with various campaigns, working with people from many different
social and ethnic groups all over London in order to bring the community together to tackle
issues such as housing, unemployment and street safety.
Having dedicated my skills and knowledge working at a charity organisation for young peopleas a part of the civic engagement team, I spent my time engaging with young volunteers and
organising community projects such as revitalising community spaces and schools. I am
inspired by new ideas and never ceased to create ideas that would give young people the
opportunity to contribute more to the community. My recent achievement was the Season of
Giving Service Day attracting the young people dedicating their time, skills and compassion to
the community during the holiday season. The day involves giving presents to homeless,
revitalising a day care center and making stuffed animals for children.
I also enjoy public speaking, presenting information and providing training regarding
psychological knowledge and practice. I recently delivered a talk for the TEDxSOAS event on the
power of an open mind and how it enhances the quality of communication in front of an
audience of 200 people. I was also one of the co-ordinator of the Young Hero Program- for City
Year London, worked on presentation on “The Anatomy of Peace” aiming to teach secondary
school children to be aware of their emotions and how their perceptions of the problems are
affected during overwhelming emotions such as fear and anger.
I am interested in applying for the MSc Critical social Psychology and Community Psychology
program because it will equip me with a more in-depth knowledge to satisfy my ambition: to
connect myself with the community, to empower people in need and challenge the existing
system of power. As much as I’m interested in the critical theories, I hope to be able to bring this
movement to Vietnam and to give voice to people who have experienced the malign effect of an
unchallenged system of mainstream psychology.
7/27/2019 Critical Psychology Essay
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/critical-psychology-essay 3/3
-