Lecture 9 - Critical Theories Flashcards
What was the focus of Rachel Garland’s research? What theories did she use?
To explore concepts of healthcare in heart failure through the lens of the critical theory paradigm.
Main theory of use was Orem’s model, other non-nursing theories were also used.
How do McGibbons et al. argue for the decolonization of nursing?
They argue that nursing has been influenced by colonial assumptions dominated by western epistemologies - as such, white privilege, racism, and continuing to ignore colonial contexts sustain this thinking.
The article applies Black feminist (intersectional), postcolonial, and critical social justice approaches to highlight power imbalances in nursing.
What do McGibbons et al. argue about the determinants of health? What is the role of nurses in eliminating them?
Health disparities are rooted in social, economic, and political structures.
–> Nurses must focus on anti-oppressive practices and acknowledge how neocolonialism affects patient care and access to it.
Are are some strategies to decolonize nursing, according to McGibbons et al.?
Critical Self Reflection
Incorporating Indigenous and Marginalized voices
Shifting from an individualistic biomedical model to a holistic, community-based, and culturally inclusive approach
Advocacy and policy engagement to address systemic inequities in healthcare.
What is postcolonialism?
Unequal relations of power that are the legacy of a colonial past and neocolonial present
Ways in which the cultures of dominant groups have redefined local meanings, and dictated social structures
What is colonialism?
Areas outside of Europe were occupied by European countries and ‘settled’
A strategy justified by racialized colonial discourse about the necessity of civilizing the world.
What is neocolonialism?
All forms of control of prior colonies or populations such as Indigenous people who continue to live under conditions of internal colonialism - mostly economically
What are postcolonial perspectives?
Seek to expose these colonizing processes and their impact on contemporary structures and systems, which create and sustain colonial oppression.
What is Habermas’ critical social theory (1962)?
A theory that contributed to action to transform the consequences of colonialism
What is the origin of postcolonial theories? What do they emphasize?
Based in anthropology, cultural studies, sociology
Emphasize links among power, language, identity, and environmental contexts
What is the broad definition of critical theory?
Any philosophical approach that seeks to liberate people from all forms of oppression and actively works to create a world in accordance with human needs
What is the narrow definition of critical theory?
A school of thought derived from the Frankfurt school and refers to several generations of social theorists founded in Marxist tradition to critique and challenge power and structures.
What is meant by critical theory as a worldview? What was is developed in response to?
It is a response to positivism and enlightenment philosophies to reflect on historical and contextual influences.
–> Typically an approach rather than a theory with a sociopolitical purpose
What is the main assumption and goal of critical theory?
Assumption: Societies are based in ideology that is historically/contextually dependent. This ideology is the primary obstacle of human liberation.
Goal: To deconstruct ideology and produce social change. Challenges the status quo.
What is neoliberalism?
A political approach that favors free-market capitalism, deregulation, and reduction in government spending.
What is conflict theory? What are the key concepts?
Rooted in Marxist ideas: Society is composed of groups competing for resources, social order maintained through power and domination rather than consensus.
Key Concepts: Social economic class, power dynamics, inequality
e.g., Conflict theorists might argue that the educational system perpetuates inequality by providing better resources and opportunities to students from wealthier backgrounds, or that social movements are collective actions aimed at challenging power struggles to achieve social change.
What are the three main feminist critical theories?
Marxist
Liberal
Non-Marxist Radical
What are Marxist feminist beliefs?
Women’s position in society is a consequence of property relation of capitalism. Both women and men are viewed as property, but women are exploited through objectification in roles that serve men’s interests
What is liberal feminist beliefs?
Legal constraints and customs are the basis for women’s subservient role in society
What is non-Marxist rad-fem beliefs?
Believe patriarchy (characterized by power, dominance, hierarchy, and competition) oppresses women
What is post-structural theory?
Post-structuralism emphasizes that knowledge is uncertain and changes based on social, economic, political, and cultural factors - knowledge systems hold power and can limit human thought and action
Post-structuralism rejects the idea that language is a transparent medium that connects people to reality. Instead, it views language as a code or structure where meaning comes from contrast between parts - perfect communication through language is impossible
When was critical theory first used?
First used by Max Horkenheimer in 1937 - “Traditions and Critical Theory”
–> Proposed contextual and historical analysis of phenomena of necessary to discover the truth
–> Is outwardly self critiquing
What did C.W. Mills (1959) argue about postmodernism?
Stated that they were living in a post-modern period, with the world wars, nuclear weapons and The Cold War; personal freedom were not automatic through progress, reason, science etc.
What did Lyotard (1984) argue about postmodernism?
Defines postmodern conditions as a skepticism towards all universal or absolute truths that have been used to legitimized political and scientific projects such as communism (Marx) or dominance of the unconscious mind (Freud)”
What is postmodernism?
The logical rejection of modernity
–> Recognizes diversity, while modernity pushes sameness
Who is Jurgen Hanbermas? What did he believe about critical theory?
A critical theorist from the 1970s
Argues that emancipation is possible through rational communication - discounted the important of both material and structural constraints on changing social systems.
Who is Michel Foucault? What did he believe about power and knowledge?
French Philosopher (1925-1984)
Concerned with fracture and difference rather than continuity and context. The environment/time we live in create our way of thinking
Confronted subjective philosophy - the idea that a person is private and independent individual
What is discourse and critical discourse analysis?
Discourse analysis: Language as the primary social bond in contemporary society
Critical discourse analysis: Implications of discourse in power relations - critical lens.
What is the main idea of Kari Martinsen’s Philosophy of Care (1950s)?
Found that there was no praxis in nursing for liberation - discipline steeped in positivism and capitalism
Described a reverse care law where those who need care most receive the least. Nursing fails to examine its fragmented nature and pretends to be a holistic perspective of care. Emphasizes necessity for examining historical origin of the profession.
What other theorists influences Kari Martinsen’s philosophy of care?
Marx
–> Criticized individualism and socioeconomic disparities
Merleau-Ponty
–> The human body is situated in the world
Michel Foucault
–> Phenomenology underlines the importance of history in our experiences
What is participatory action research?
Involves participants in the production of knowledge that helps them - creates projects that neither perspective could generate independently
What is subjective philosophy? Which philosopher rejected it?
The idea that a person can exist independently and privately from context.
–> Foucault said that our the time and place we live shape our beliefs. Emphasized inseparable link between knowledge and power.
Mosqueda-Diaz et al. (2004) outline the history of critical theory’s contribution to nursing. It places emphasis on with principle to address social injustices in nursing care?
Equity
