Hearing voices, but whose? Constructions of schizophrenia in introductory psychology textbooks

Abstract

Introductory psychology courses have a broad reach; their textbooks are instrumental in disseminating information about mental distress. In this study, we present the theoretical implications of a Foucauldian discourse analysis of constructions of schizophrenia in six introductory psychology textbooks assigned in Aotearoa/New Zealand and Australia. We identify three interconnected discursive constructions within the textbooks: object-for-study, social problem, and unrecoverable illness. These constructions converge to position people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia (PWDS) as sites for biomedical intervention and generate biomedical treatment as necessary but non-curative. Notably, the voices of PWDS are absent from the texts. We contend that amplifying counter discourses and the voices of PWDS is essential to provide the context, meaning, and hope that is missing from these textbooks, and broader society. We work with Mad Studies to present potential ways of theorising otherwise around these experiences—and leveraging this theory in textbook writing.

“The Statue of Venus with a Broken Arm Shows Us the Beauty of Incompleteness”: University Student Diversity and Experience in Chinese Well-Being and Mental Health Education Textbooks

“…This section problematises and frames the analysis of the two Chinese textbooks under review. Many studies from different parts of the world have examined the role of textbooks in teaching psychological knowledge to university students (e.g., [18] in the USA; [19] in New Zealand). It is important to note that most studies focus on psychology majors-not multidisciplinary students taking a mental health and well-being course as is the case in the Chinese context.…”

“…Although these activities differ, they share the same objectives: self-reflection and problem-solving. We note that the textbooks also contain many slogan-like formulas in different parts of the textbooks such as "Good people always look for happiness without bounds, while smart people like to plant happiness under their feet" (our translation from Chinese, PT: p. 19). The use of such slogan-like language is also omnipresent on Chinese university campuses and in Chinese society as a whole as a way of motivating and stimulating individuals (see Liu and Ngok's analysis of 2019 (anti-COVID-19) slogans in China [32]).…”