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On power, psychopolitical validity, and play
Author(s) -
Angelique Holly L.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of community psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.585
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1520-6629
pISSN - 0090-4392
DOI - 10.1002/jcop.20235
Subject(s) - oppression , coercion (linguistics) , power (physics) , perspective (graphical) , field (mathematics) , ideology , sociology , foundation (evidence) , social psychology , epistemology , psychology , law , political science , politics , computer science , physics , mathematics , quantum mechanics , artificial intelligence , philosophy , linguistics , pure mathematics
In this commentary, the author discusses power as a useful concept for community psychology. Although Prilleltensky's analysis of power (this issue, pp. 116–136) has the potential to shift the ideological foundation of the field, the author notes that he focuses primarily on the ability to coerce and/or resist coercion. The author argues that other conceptions of power should be considered to promote wellness, resist oppression, and move toward liberation. The author discusses ways in which power is manifested and may be exposed. Specifically, the author offers a Foucauldian perspective on power relations and challenge individuals to examine the multiple ways that power is manifested in our own lives. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.