Neoliberal Selfhood

This book analyses psychological constructs within an ideological framework and invites ethical reflections for practice.

Stephen Vassallo (Author)

9781108477239, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 17 December 2020

200 pages
23.5 x 16 x 1 cm, 0.42 kg

Psychological constructs - such as emotion regulation, creativity, grit, growth mindset, lifelong learning, and whole child - are appealing as pedagogical aspirations and outcomes. Researchers, policy-makers, and educators are likely to endorse and accept these constructs as ways to make sense of students and inform pedagogical decision-making. Few critically interrogate these constructs, as they are associated with students' academic achievement, psychological well-being, civic virtue, and career readiness. However, this book shows how these constructs become entangled in a neoliberal vision of selfhood, which is tied to market prescriptions and is thus associated with problematic ethical, psychological, moral, and economic consequences. The chapters draw attention to the ideological underpinnings in order to facilitate conversations about selfhood in schooling policy and practices.

1. Introduction: Formation of Selfhood
2. Growth Mindset: Normalization of Perpetual Improvement
3. Grit: The Technical Management of Passion
4. Emotion Regulation: Strategic Self-Management
5. Lifelong Learning: Sentencing Learners to Life
6. Creativity: An Organizing Value
7. Whole Child: Leave No Part Behind
8. Conclusion.

Subject Areas: Educational psychology [JNC], Education [JN], Psychology [JM]