Epistemic violence in psychological science: Can knowledge of, from, and for the (othered) people solve the problem?

• Published in: Theory & psychology 2020-06, Vol.30 (3), p.349-370
• Main Author: Held, Barbara S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Dehumanization; Epistemology; Essentialism; Psychologists; Race; Social reform; Violence
• ISSN: 0959-3543; 1461-7447
• DOI: 10.1177/0959354319883943

A primary target of Indigenous psychologists and critical psychologists is the epistemic violence found in mainstream research. The epistemic violence derives from two alleged mainstream tendencies: (a) omitting concepts/conceptions of othered peoples and (b) interpreting observed group differences to be caused by inherent inferiorities of othered peoples. In seeking remedial research practice, some theoretical psychologists distinguish (a) psychological knowledge from and for the folk, which they advocate and (b) psychological “knowledge” about the folk, the alleged source of objectification of othered peoples. Though seemingly self-evident, this for/about prepositional divide may not be clear. First, mainstream epistemic violence often depends on folk notions. Second, the use in science of folk concepts/conceptions has advanced oppressive purposes, whereas some mainstream findings may serve progressive goals. I exemplify with race concepts, especially racialized essentialism and dehumanization, and I demonstrate how mainstream science sometimes reveals mechanisms of othering that may inform progressive social reform efforts.