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Foucault, Psychology and the Analytics of Power
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Despite that many of the later writings of Michel Foucault speak directly to the subject of psychology, the discipline has yet to absorb the full impact of his critical analyses. Foucault's importance in this respect is at least twofold: he develops a powerful critique of the uses of psychological knowledge and practice in modern disciplinary society, and he offers a trenchant series of methodological injunctions, an 'analytics of power', that makes a reformulation of 'the psychological' possible. Aware of this double priority - of the critical and methodological import of these ideas - this book introduces and applies Foucault's most important concepts and procedures, and does so specifically for a psychology readership. Drawing on the recently published Collège de France lectures Abnormal (2003) and Psychiatric Power (2006), Foucault, Psychology and the Analytics of Power is as useful to those concerned with Foucault's engagement with the 'psy-disciplines' as it is to those interested in the practical application of Foucault's critical research methods.
'This groundbreaking book provides an impassioned argument for Foucault that also locates the work in current debates in social and political theory. Hook's lucid writing has an urgency that draws the reader into a journey through theoretical debates that also makes them come alive as it addresses key political questions. This book combines elaboration and application in measures that will leave the reader with a thirst for more of the real critical-political Michel Foucault and admiration for an author who has at last shown us how to find him.' - Ian Parker, Professor of Psychology, Discourse Unit, Manchester, UK
'This book is an exercise in theoretical excavation in which Hook develops a series of provocative arguments - developed between Foucault and psychoanalysis - about the operations of power in the production of political subjectivies and affects.' - Professor Kevin Durrheim, Professor of Psychology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
'This highly analytical...treatise provides an excellent conceptual foundation and reference for the conduct of Foucaultian research in various areas...the text is written with fluency, logically presented, and its arguments are introduced to readers using vivid language...[it] provides an excellent resource for health care professionals...[and] is an important contribution to critical social science research' - Ari Väänänen, Jounral of Health Psychology 2008 13; 439
'In an age where arguably other critical theorists have superseded Foucault in terms of scholarly attention...Hook's contribution is timely and welcome...it will draw in a wide readership beyond psychology, including sociologists, human geographers and political scientists...I thoroughly enjoyed this excursion into Foucaultian territory, and Hook makes for a perceptive and provocative guide.' - Brendan Gough, British Jounral of Sociology 2008 59(2); 375
'This exciting new text by Derek Hook represents a much needed elaboration of the application of Foucault's analytics of power for use within the discipline of psychology and the social sciences more broadly...Hook's close reading of Foucault's work demonstrates an in-depth knowledge of what is often a very dense body of work, and as a result he renders Foucault's key ideas in ways that are both highly readable and stimulating. The book will definitely be of interest to those working in the field of critical race and whiteness studies who are looking to draw upon the work of Foucault to conduct their own research, and will also provide a useful springboard for those wishing to further critique the functions of racialised power, both within Foucault's work and beyond.' - Damien W. Riggs, ACRAWSA, vol. 4, 2008
Introduction
'Disciplinarity'
Desubstantializing Power
Discourse, Knowledge, Materiality, History
Foucault's Philosophy of the Event: Genealogical Method
Space, Discourse, Power: Heterotopia as Analytics
Governmentality
Index
DEREK HOOK is Lecturer in the Institute of Social Psychology at the London School of Economics, UK. He is also a Research Associate in Psychology at the School of Human and Community Development, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. He has published articles on Foucault, critical psychology, psychoanalysis, postcolonial theory and the social psychology of 'race' and racism.
Description
Despite that many of the later writings of Michel Foucault speak directly to the subject of psychology, the discipline has yet to absorb the full impact of his critical analyses. Foucault's importance in this respect is at least twofold: he develops a powerful critique of the uses of psychological knowledge and practice in modern disciplinary society, and he offers a trenchant series of methodological injunctions, an 'analytics of power', that makes a reformulation of 'the psychological' possible. Aware of this double priority - of the critical and methodological import of these ideas - this book introduces and applies Foucault's most important concepts and procedures, and does so specifically for a psychology readership. Drawing on the recently published Collège de France lectures Abnormal (2003) and Psychiatric Power (2006), Foucault, Psychology and the Analytics of Power is as useful to those concerned with Foucault's engagement with the 'psy-disciplines' as it is to those interested in the practical application of Foucault's critical research methods.
Reviews
'This groundbreaking book provides an impassioned argument for Foucault that also locates the work in current debates in social and political theory. Hook's lucid writing has an urgency that draws the reader into a journey through theoretical debates that also makes them come alive as it addresses key political questions. This book combines elaboration and application in measures that will leave the reader with a thirst for more of the real critical-political Michel Foucault and admiration for an author who has at last shown us how to find him.' - Ian Parker, Professor of Psychology, Discourse Unit, Manchester, UK
'This book is an exercise in theoretical excavation in which Hook develops a series of provocative arguments - developed between Foucault and psychoanalysis - about the operations of power in the production of political subjectivies and affects.' - Professor Kevin Durrheim, Professor of Psychology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
'This highly analytical...treatise provides an excellent conceptual foundation and reference for the conduct of Foucaultian research in various areas...the text is written with fluency, logically presented, and its arguments are introduced to readers using vivid language...[it] provides an excellent resource for health care professionals...[and] is an important contribution to critical social science research' - Ari Väänänen, Jounral of Health Psychology 2008 13; 439
'In an age where arguably other critical theorists have superseded Foucault in terms of scholarly attention...Hook's contribution is timely and welcome...it will draw in a wide readership beyond psychology, including sociologists, human geographers and political scientists...I thoroughly enjoyed this excursion into Foucaultian territory, and Hook makes for a perceptive and provocative guide.' - Brendan Gough, British Jounral of Sociology 2008 59(2); 375
'This exciting new text by Derek Hook represents a much needed elaboration of the application of Foucault's analytics of power for use within the discipline of psychology and the social sciences more broadly...Hook's close reading of Foucault's work demonstrates an in-depth knowledge of what is often a very dense body of work, and as a result he renders Foucault's key ideas in ways that are both highly readable and stimulating. The book will definitely be of interest to those working in the field of critical race and whiteness studies who are looking to draw upon the work of Foucault to conduct their own research, and will also provide a useful springboard for those wishing to further critique the functions of racialised power, both within Foucault's work and beyond.' - Damien W. Riggs, ACRAWSA, vol. 4, 2008
Contents
Introduction
'Disciplinarity'
Desubstantializing Power
Discourse, Knowledge, Materiality, History
Foucault's Philosophy of the Event: Genealogical Method
Space, Discourse, Power: Heterotopia as Analytics
Governmentality
Index
Authors
DEREK HOOK is Lecturer in the Institute of Social Psychology at the London School of Economics, UK. He is also a Research Associate in Psychology at the School of Human and Community Development, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. He has published articles on Foucault, critical psychology, psychoanalysis, postcolonial theory and the social psychology of 'race' and racism.
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