title: A Marxist approach to psychology and psychiatry.
abstract: Marxism considers psychology and psychiatry to be young and complex sciences which are powerfully affected by the nature of society. Marxism contributes to these sciences by applying dialectical and historical materialism to their study and development. The Marxist critique of psychology and psychiatry under capitalism identifies the immense harmful effect on them of capitalist class ideology in a number of areas: anti-working class theories, racism, national chauvinism, sexism, theories of fixed evil human nature, and false or one-sided theories. Socialism is held to provide a healthy environment for individual psychological development and to utilize psychology and psychiatry for scientific and humane ends.
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D010684:Philosophy; D011056:Political Systems; D011570:Psychiatry; D011593:Psychology, Social; D012923:Social Class; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D012962:Sociology, Medical; D014481:United States