Psychology, Personhood, and the Crisis of Neoliberalism: Jeff Sugarman on Theoretical and Critical Psychology
Mar 19, 2025
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Jeff Sugarman, a distinguished scholar in theoretical and philosophical psychology, discusses the impact of neoliberalism on identity and mental health. He critiques how mainstream psychology often reflects market ideologies, reshaping selfhood and relationships. Sugarman emphasizes the necessity for a critical psychology that addresses social justice and inequality. He also explores the philosophical roots of psychology and advocates for integrating the humanities in understanding selfhood, offering fresh perspectives on the role of mental health in society.
Jeff Sugarman emphasizes that neoliberalism profoundly impacts individual identity and mental health by framing people as self-interested economic actors in a competitive marketplace.
The podcast advocates for a transformative shift in psychology towards social justice and political awareness to counteract the negative effects of neoliberal ideology.
Deep dives
Personal and Academic Background
The speaker shares his journey in psychology, starting from his education in Canada, where he initially pursued music before shifting to a master's in counseling psychology. His academic interests evolved significantly due to influential friendships, particularly a partnership with a philosophy student that deepened his understanding of interpretative approaches. This collaboration introduced him to critical philosophical works, notably Charles Taylor's 'Sources of the Self', which explores the historical evolution of what it means to be a person within varying sociocultural contexts. Through these experiences, the speaker's approach to psychology became enriched with philosophical insights, questioning traditional psychological paradigms and prompting a broader exploration of personhood.
Understanding Neoliberalism in Psychology
Neoliberalism is defined as an ideology promoting the market as the central organizing principle of human existence, influencing how individuals relate to themselves and others. The speaker emphasizes that neoliberalism shapes societal norms, compelling individuals to act as self-interested actors within a competitive marketplace, where their value is measured in economic terms. This societal framing directly affects psychological practices, as therapists are now inclined to treat individuals within the context of market-driven models, reinforcing individualism and competition. The pervasiveness of neoliberal ideology leads to a reconceptualization of citizenship and well-being, emphasizing personal responsibility and entrepreneurialism.
Social Anxiety and Neoliberalism
A significant increase in diagnoses of social anxiety over recent decades is linked to the demands of neoliberal society, which prioritizes self-presentation and networking as markers of success. The speaker identifies the rise of pharmaceutical advertising and societal expectations for social engagement as key factors contributing to this phenomenon. He critiques how the definitions and spectrums of mental health conditions, like social anxiety, emerge and evolve within specific historical contexts, demonstrating the contingent nature of psychological diagnoses. This historical ontology approach reveals how social and cultural conditions shape psychological experiences and diagnoses, encouraging a critical view of the perceived normalization of such mental health issues.
Future Directions for Psychology
The speaker argues for a necessary moral renaissance within psychology to address the pressing social and ethical challenges posed by neoliberalism. He critiques the discipline for historically reinforcing societal norms rather than fostering transformative change, suggesting that a deeper understanding of social structures and change is vital for psychological practice. While acknowledging the existence of critical movements within the field, he notes that mainstream psychology often remains conservative, focusing on individual adjustment rather than systemic reform. He advocates for a broader education within psychology that includes social justice and political awareness, emphasizing the importance of fostering meaningful engagement beyond mere individualism.
Jeff Sugarman is a distinguished scholar in theoretical and philosophical psychology, known for his work examining the psychology of selfhood, human agency, and the sociopolitical underpinnings of psychological science. A Professor Emeritus in the Education Department at Simon Fraser University, Dr. Sugarman has spent decades critically interrogating the ways mainstream psychology reflects and reinforces the ideologies of neoliberalism, shaping how we understand identity, mental health, and human development.
In this interview, he explores the philosophical foundations of psychology, the psychological costs of neoliberalism, and why developing a critical psychology of education and mental health is more urgent than ever.
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