Marxism, Ideology and Psychology

Abstract

The strength of Marxist theory lies in its treatment of social contradictions and conflict. Furthermore, the concept of ideology is important as an expression of social processes and the concealment of social contradictions and power; it cannot be reduced to cognitive or individual processes. The production and reproduction of ideology in everyday settings is stressed. In addition, there is a need to resist ideology as legitimization and concealment of the injustices in the social order in order to foster autonomy and the liberation of individuals and groups, as suggested in the work of the Salvadorean social psychologist Ignacio Martín-Baró and in the contributions of Paolo Freire. The task of `de-ideologization' pointed out by Martin-Baró is highlighted as an important contribution to Latin American social psychology.