Waves of Feminist Psychology in the United States: Politics and Perspectives

Abstract

This chapter discusses the history and context of the rise of three waves of feminist activity in the United States and situates the development of feminist psychology within them. Forms of feminism (e.g., liberal, radical, socialist, cultural, womanist) and feminist theories (e.g., postmodern, standpoint, empiricism) are described, and their connection to psychological research and theory is examined. The formation and contributions of the Association for Women in Psychology (AWP), the APA’s Committee on Women in Psychology (CWP), and APA Division 35 – the Society for the Psychology of Women (SPW) are described. Trends in science and popular culture (e.g., backlash against feminism, medicalization of women’s bodies, the feminization of psychology) are discussed in terms of their connection to feminist psychology. Future directions of feminist psychology in the United States are suggested.