It is beneficial to include people of all backgrounds in psychological research. Doing so improves the accuracy of the research and promotes a deeper understanding of the subject.

New Mexico Highlands University

Naomi Weisstein's 1968 article is credited with sparking a feminist revolution within psychology. In it, she critiqued the field for its unscientific approach to understanding women, arguing that male psychologists constructed their theories based on personal cultural biases rather than objective experimental data. To illustrate her point, she cited contemporary psychologists like Bruno Bettleheim, who claimed women's primary goal was to be companions and mothers over pursuing scientific careers. This critique laid the essential groundwork for developing a feminist psychology aimed at being free from such male-centric cultural influences.

Naomi Weisstein's Impact on Feminist Psychology

Inclusivity in Psychology

Naomi Weisstein used statements from prominent psychologists of the 1960s to exemplify the cultural biases she critiqued. One such example was a quote from Bruno Bettleheim, who asserted that women's primary desire is to be 'womanly companions of men and to be mothers,' placing these roles above ambitions to become scientists or engineers.

Bruno Bettleheim's View on Women's Aspirations

A prominent psychologist in the 1960s stated, 'We must start with the realization that, as much as women want to be good scientists or engineers, they want first and foremost to be womanly companions of men and to be mothers.' According to a landmark 1968 critique that helped launch a new perspective within the field, what is the most significant scientific flaw in this type of assertion?

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