Frantz Fanon's sociogenic principle: Internalization of prejudice, its consequences for mental health, and prospects for psychological liberation

Abstract

We propose that Frantz Fanon's principle of sociogeny , which underscores the role of objective social, historical, cultural, and political forces in shaping individual psychology, remains singularly helpful for understanding the internalization of prejudice, mental health challenges, and other effects of racialized social systems. Although Fanon's work has been more influential in the humanities than in social science, there are by now dozens of studies that have directly or indirectly investigated four major themes analyzed by Fanon, namely (a) prejudice and its consequences for mental health; (b) colonial mentality and its consequences for mental health; (c) identity development in childhood and adulthood; (d) dominant ideology, internalization of inferiority, and the struggle for psychological liberation. In this article, we review cumulative evidence bearing on each of these themes, with the aim of reclaiming insights from Fanon's sociogenic approach for contemporary research and public policy. To address and overcome the deleterious consequences of prejudice and discrimination, community activists have long been sought to implement Fanon's ideas. We consider their accomplishments and discuss public policies still needed to advance psychological liberation and material self‐determination.