# Critical consciousness

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Social concept

Critical pedagogy Major works Pedagogy of the Oppressed Critical Pedagogy Primer Learning to Labour Schooling and the Struggle for Public Life Theorists Paulo Freire Henry Giroux Peter McLaren bell hooks Antonia Darder Joe Kincheloe Shirley Steinberg Paul Willis Ira Shor Pedagogy Anti-oppressive education Abolitionist teaching Anti-bias curriculum Antipedagogy Multicultural education Teaching for social justice Humanitarian education Inclusion Public sphere pedagogy Popular education Feminist composition Ecopedagogy Queer pedagogy Critical literacy Critical consciousness Critical theory of maker education Concepts Praxis Hidden curriculum Consciousness raising Related Reconstructivism Critical theory Ecological empathy Frankfurt School Political consciousness v t e

**Critical consciousness**, **conscientization**, or ***conscientização*** in [Portuguese](/source/Portuguese_language) (Portuguese pronunciation: [\[kõsjẽtʃizaˈsɐ̃w\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/Portuguese)), is a popular education and social concept developed by Brazilian [pedagogue](/source/Pedagogue) and [educational theorist](/source/Educational_theory) [Paulo Freire](/source/Paulo_Freire), grounded in [neo-Marxist](/source/Neo-Marxism) [critical theory](/source/Critical_theory). Critical consciousness focuses on achieving an in-depth understanding of the world, allowing for the perception and exposure of social and political contradictions. Critical consciousness also includes taking action against the oppressive elements in one's life that are illuminated by that understanding.[1]

## Coinage

The English term *conscientization* is a translation of the [Portuguese](/source/Portuguese_language) term *conscientização*, which is also translated as "[consciousness raising](/source/Consciousness_raising)" and "critical consciousness". The term was popularized by [Brazilian](/source/Brazil) educator, activist, and theorist [Paulo Freire](/source/Paulo_Freire) in his 1970 work *[Pedagogy of the Oppressed](/source/Pedagogy_of_the_Oppressed)*.[2][3] Freire was teaching the poor and illiterate members of Brazilian society to read at a time when literacy was a requirement for [suffrage](/source/Suffrage) and dictators ruled many [South American](/source/South_America) countries. The term originally derives from [Frantz Fanon](/source/Frantz_Fanon)'s coinage of a French term, *conscientiser*, in his 1952 book, *Black Skins, White Masks*.[4]

## Overview

Paulo Freire defines critical consciousness as the ability to intervene in reality in order to change it.[5] Critical consciousness proceeds through the identification of "generative themes", which Freire identifies as "iconic representations that have a powerful emotional impact in the daily lives of learners." In this way, individual consciousness helps end the "[culture of silence](/source/Paulo_Freire#Culture_of_silence)" in which the socially dispossessed internalize the negative images of themselves created and propagated by the oppressor in situations of [extreme poverty](/source/Extreme_poverty). Liberating learners from this [mimicry](/source/Mimicry) of the powerful, and from the fratricidal violence that results therefrom is a major goal of critical consciousness. Critical consciousness is a fundamental aspect of Freire's concept of [popular education](/source/Popular_education).

[Arlene Goldbard](/source/Arlene_Goldbard), an author on the subject of community cultural development finds the concept of conscientization to be a foundation of community cultural development. From the glossary of Goldbard's 2006 book [*New Creative Community*](/source/New_Village_Press): "Conscientization is an ongoing process by which a learner moves toward critical consciousness. This process is the heart of liberatory education. It differs from "consciousness raising" in that the latter may involve transmission of preselected knowledge. Conscientization means engaging in [praxis](/source/Praxis_(process)), in which one both reflects and takes action on their social reality to break through prevailing mythologies and reach new levels of awareness—in particular, awareness of [oppression](/source/Oppression), being an "object" of others' will rather than a self-determining "subject". The process of conscientization involves identifying contradictions in experience through dialogue and becoming part of the process of changing the world."[6]

## History of application

The ancient [Greeks](/source/Greeks) first identified the essence of critical consciousness when philosophers encouraged their students to develop an "impulse and willingness to stand back from humanity and nature... [and] to make them objects of thought and criticism, and to search for their meaning and significance.[7] In his books *Pedagogy of the Oppressed*[8] and *Education for Critical Consciousness*,[5] Freire explains critical consciousness as a sociopolitical educative tool that engages learners in questioning the nature of their historical and social situation, which Freire addressed as "reading the world". The goal of critical consciousness, according to Freire, should be acting as subjects in the creation of democratic society. In [education](/source/Education), Freire implies [intergenerational equity](/source/Intergenerational_equity) between students and teachers in which both learn, both question, both reflect and both participate in [meaning-making](/source/Meaning-making). Using this idea, and describing current instructional methods as [homogenization](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/homogenization) and [lockstep](/source/Lockstep) standardization, alternative approaches are proposed, such as the [Sudbury model](/source/Sudbury_model), an alternative approach in which children, by [enjoying personal freedom](/source/Sudbury_model#Individual_freedom.2C_freedom_of_choice.2C_learning_and_learning_through_experience) thus [encouraged to exercise personal responsibility for their actions](/source/Sudbury_model#Discipline), [learn at their own pace](/source/Literacy#Criticism_of_the_concept_of_teaching_literacy) rather than following a previously imposed chronologically-based curriculum.[9][10][11] In a similar form students learn all the subjects, techniques and skills in these schools. The staff are minor actors, the "teacher" is an adviser and helps just when asked.[12][13] The [Sudbury model](/source/Sudbury_model) maintains that [values](/source/Values), [social justice](/source/Social_justice), critical consciousness, intergenerational equity, and political consciousness included, must be [learned through experience](/source/Experiential_learning),[14][15][16][17] as Aristotle said: "For the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them."[18]

Picking up on Freire's definition of critical consciousness, [Joe L. Kincheloe](/source/Joe_L._Kincheloe) has expanded the definition of the concept in his work on postformalism. In Kincheloe's formulation postformalism connects cognition to critical theoretical questions of power and social justice. In this context Kincheloe constructs a critical theory of cognition that explores questions of meaning, emancipation vis-a-vis ideological inscription, and a particular focus on the socio-political construction of the self. With these concerns in mind Kincheloe's postformal critical consciousness engages questions of purpose, issues of human dignity, freedom, authority, reconceptualized notions of reason, intellectual quality, and social responsibility. Postformal critical consciousness stimulates a conversation between critical pedagogy and a wide range of social, cultural, political economic, psychological, and philosophical concerns. Kincheloe employs this "multilogical conversation" to shape new modes of self-awareness, more effective forms of social, political, and pedagogical action, and an elastic model of an evolving critical consciousness (Kincheloe and Steinberg, 1993; Kincheloe, 1999; Thomas and Kincheloe, 2006).

Freire's development of critical consciousness has been expanded upon in several academic disciplines and common applications.[19] Public health community collaborations focused on HIV prevention for women,[20] the role of critical consciousness in adult education,[21] and the effect of peer pressure on cigarette smokers.[22] Freire's notion of critical consciousness is, in part, a type of [political consciousness](/source/Political_consciousness).

In educational programs for youth and adolescents, some instructors have implemented curricula aimed at encouraging students to develop a critical consciousness within subject-specific material.[23] Instructors can teach language arts,[24] science,[25] and social science[26] lessons while guiding students to connect academic material to their experiences, explore themes of social justice, and discuss these ideas collaboratively in the classroom.

In application, raising critical consciousness in young students can lead to successful outcomes in terms of students' social-emotional well-being,[27] academic performance,[28] and increased pursuit of careers after completing high school.[29][30] While some studies provide support for developing critical consciousness in students due to the potential benefits, other studies present conflicting results. For example, research has also shown that students who demonstrate lower critical consciousness levels may experience less depressed moods[31] and higher grades.[32] Due to limitations associated with the predominantly [qualitative designs](/source/Qualitative_research) of many studies on critical consciousness in education, further research is needed using rigorous, controlled [quantitative designs](/source/Quantitative_research) to more clearly understand the relationship between critical consciousness and young students' trajectory.[23]

## See also

- [Adult education](/source/Adult_education)

- [Adult literacy](/source/Adult_literacy)

- [Class consciousness](/source/Class_consciousness)

- [Critical pedagogy](/source/Critical_pedagogy)

- [Consciousness raising](/source/Consciousness_raising)

- [Identity politics](/source/Identity_politics)

- [Liberation psychology](/source/Liberation_psychology)

- [Popular education](/source/Popular_education)

- [Praxis](/source/Praxis_(process))

- [Praxis intervention](/source/Praxis_intervention)

- [Teaching for social justice](/source/Teaching_for_social_justice)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Mustakova-Possardt, M (2003) ["Is there a roadmap to critical consciousness? Critical Consciousness: A Study of Morality in Global, Historical Context."](http://onecountry.org/e152/e15216as_Review_Consciousness_story.htm) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20130922172814/http://www.onecountry.org/e152/e15216as_Review_Consciousness_story.htm) 2013-09-22 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) *One Country. 15*(2).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Freire, Paulo; Macedo, Donaldo P. (2014). *Pedagogy of the oppressed: 30th Anniversary Edition*. Translated by Ramos, Myra Bergman (30th anniversary ed.). New York: Bloomsbury Publishing. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-8264-1276-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-8264-1276-8).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Jemal, Alexis (November 2017). ["Critical Consciousness: A Critique and Critical Analysis of the Literature"](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5892452). *The Urban Review*. **49** (4): 602–626. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1007/s11256-017-0411-3](https://doi.org/10.1007%2Fs11256-017-0411-3). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0042-0972](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0042-0972). [PMC](/source/PMC_(identifier)) [5892452](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5892452). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [29657340](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29657340).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Douglas J. Ficek, *"Man is a Yes": Fanon, Liberation and the Playful Politics of Philosophical Archaeology, doctoral dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Temple University*, August 2013, page 156, note 156.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_5-1) Freire, P. (2005) *Education for Critical Consciousness.* New York: Continuum International Publishing Group.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [Creative Communication](http://www.newvillagepress.net/pub_newCreativeComm.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20141018005414/http://www.newvillagepress.net/pub_newCreativeComm.html) 2014-10-18 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) *New Village Press*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Thorton, B. "Critical Consciousness and Liberal Education" in Watson, B. (2006) *Civic Education And Culture.*

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Freire, P. (1970) *Pedagogy of the Oppressed.* New York: Continuum.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Greenberg, D. (1992). *"Special Education" – A noble Cause Sacrificed to Standardization,*Education in America – A View from Sudbury Valley.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Greenberg, D. (1992). *"Special Education" – A Noble Cause Run Amok,* Education in America – A View from Sudbury Valley.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Greenberg, D. (1987). Chapter 1, *And 'Rithmetic,* Free at Last – The Sudbury Valley School,.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Greenberg, D. (1987), Chapter 19, *Learning,* Free at Last – The Sudbury Valley School.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Greenberg, H. (1987). [*The Art of Doing Nothing,*](http://www.sudval.com/05_underlyingideas.html#03) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110511175026/http://www.sudval.com/05_underlyingideas.html#03) 2011-05-11 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) The Sudbury Valley School Experience. Accessed November 29, 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Greenberg, D. (1992).*'Ethics' is a Course Taught By Life Experience,* Education in America – A View from Sudbury Valley.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Greenberg, D. (1987). *Teaching Justice Through Experience,* The Sudbury Valley School Experience.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Greenberg, D. (1987). Chapter 35, [*With Liberty and Justice for All*](http://www.sudval.com/05_onepersononevote.html#02) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110511180710/http://www.sudval.com/05_onepersononevote.html#02) 2011-05-11 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine), Free at Last – The Sudbury Valley School. Accessed November 29, 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Greenberg, D. (1992). *Democracy Must be Experienced to be Learned,* Education in America – A View from Sudbury Valley.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Bynum, W.F. and Porter, R. (eds) (2005). *Oxford Dictionary of Scientific Quotations.* Oxford University Press. 21:9.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Adelson, L (1987) "Contemporary Critical Consciousness: Peter Sloterdijk, [Oskar Negt](/source/Oskar_Negt)/[Alexander Kluge](/source/Alexander_Kluge), and the 'New Subjectivity'." *German Studies Review. 10*(1); pp. 57–68.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** Champeau, D. & Shaw, S. (2002) "Power, empowerment, and critical consciousness in community collaboration: Lessons from an advisory panel for an HIV awareness media campaign for women." *Women Health. 36*(3):31–50.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** Taylor, E., Tisdell, E. & Stone Hanley, M. (2000) *The Role of Positionality in Teaching for Critical Consciousness: Implications for Adult Education.* Paper presented at the 2000 Adult Education Research Conference in Vancouver, British Columbia.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** Zucker, A., Stewart, A., Pomerleau, C. & Boyd, C. (2005) "Resisting Gendered Smoking Pressures: Critical Consciousness as a Correlate of Women's Smoking Status," *Behavioral Science. 53*(3–4); 261–272.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:1_23-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:1_23-1) Herbele, Amy E.; Rapa, Luke J.; Farago, Flora (2020). "Supplemental Material for Critical Consciousness in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review, Critical Assessment, and Recommendations for Future Research". *Psychological Bulletin*. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1037/bul0000230.supp](https://doi.org/10.1037%2Fbul0000230.supp). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0033-2909](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0033-2909). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [241373436](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:241373436).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** Tyson, Cynthia A. (2002-01-01). ""Get Up Offa That Thing": African American Middle School Students Respond to Literature to Develop a Framework for Understanding Social Action". *Theory & Research in Social Education*. **30** (1): 42–65. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1080/00933104.2002.10473178](https://doi.org/10.1080%2F00933104.2002.10473178). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0093-3104](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0093-3104). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [144251236](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:144251236).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** Kozan, Saliha; Blustein, David L.; Barnett, Michael; Wong, Catherine; Connors-Kellgren, Alice; Haley, James; Patchen, Amie; Olle, Chad; Diemer, Matthew A.; Floyd, Ava; Tan, R. P. Benjamin (2017-08-10). "Awakening, Efficacy, and Action: A Qualitative Inquiry of a Social Justice-Infused, Science Education Program: Awakening, Efficacy, and Action". *Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy*. **17** (1): 205–234. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1111/asap.12136](https://doi.org/10.1111%2Fasap.12136). [hdl](/source/Hdl_(identifier)):[2027.42/141159](https://hdl.handle.net/2027.42%2F141159).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** Schindel Dimick, Alexandra (2016-06-30). "Exploring the Potential and Complexity of a Critical Pedagogy of Place in Urban Science Education: EXPLORING CRITICAL PEDAGOGY OF PLACE". *Science Education*. **100** (5): 814–836. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1002/sce.21233](https://doi.org/10.1002%2Fsce.21233).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** Clonan-Roy, Katie; Jacobs, Charlotte E.; Nakkula, Michael J. (2016-03-15). "Towards a Model of Positive Youth Development Specific to Girls of Color: Perspectives on Development, Resilience, and Empowerment". *[Gender Issues](/source/Gender_Issues_(magazine))*. **33** (2): 96–121. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1007/s12147-016-9156-7](https://doi.org/10.1007%2Fs12147-016-9156-7). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [1098-092X](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1098-092X). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [147108672](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:147108672).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** Perez-Gualdron, Leyla M. (2013). "Social Justice Orientation, Cultural Variables, and Academic Outcomes in Latina/o Students: A Longitudinal Study". [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1037/e588042013-001](https://doi.org/10.1037%2Fe588042013-001). {{[cite journal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_journal)}}: Cite journal requires |journal= ([help](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:CS1_errors#missing_periodical))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** Heberle, Amy E.; Rapa, Luke J.; Farago, Flora (2020). ["Critical consciousness in children and adolescents: A systematic review, critical assessment, and recommendations for future research"](https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/humansci_facultypubs/31). *Psychological Bulletin*. **146** (6): 525–551. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1037/bul0000230](https://doi.org/10.1037%2Fbul0000230). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [32271028](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32271028). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [215618919](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:215618919).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-30)** Olle, Chad D.; Fouad, Nadya A. (2015). "Parental Support, Critical Consciousness, and Agency in Career Decision Making for Urban Students". *Journal of Career Assessment*. **23** (4): 533–544. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1177/1069072714553074](https://doi.org/10.1177%2F1069072714553074). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [144926269](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:144926269).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-31)** Godfrey, Erin B.; Burson, Esther L.; Yanisch, Tess M.; Hughes, Diane; Way, Niobe (March 2019). "A bitter pill to swallow? Patterns of critical consciousness and socioemotional and academic well-being in early adolescence". *Developmental Psychology*. **55** (3): 525–537. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1037/dev0000558](https://doi.org/10.1037%2Fdev0000558). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [1939-0599](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1939-0599). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [30802104](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30802104). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [73496193](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:73496193).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-32)** Diemer, Matthew A.; Voight, Adam M.; Marchand, Aixa D.; Bañales, Josefina (March 2019). "Political identification, political ideology, and critical social analysis of inequality among marginalized youth". *Developmental Psychology*. **55** (3): 538–549. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1037/dev0000559](https://doi.org/10.1037%2Fdev0000559). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [1939-0599](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1939-0599). [PMID](/source/PMID_(identifier)) [30802105](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30802105). [S2CID](/source/S2CID_(identifier)) [73486430](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:73486430).

## Further reading

**Paulo Freire**

- "Educação como prática da liberdade, Paz e Terra" (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) (1967) translation by Myra Bergman Ramos published as "Education and the Practice of Freedom" in *Education for Critical Consciousness*, Seabury, 1973.

- "¿Extensión o comunicación?", Institute for Agricultural Reform (Santiago) (1969) translation by Louise Bigwood and Margaret Marshall published as "Extension or Communication," in *Education for Critical Consciousness*, Seabury, 1973.

- "Education for Critical Consciousness" (includes "Education as the Practice of Freedom" and "Extension or Communication"), Seabury, 1973, published in England as *Education, the Practice of Freedom, Writers and Readers* Publishing Cooperative, 1976.

**Other**

- Thomas, P. and J. Kincheloe "Reading, Writing, and Thinking: The Postformal Basics." Rotterdam, Sense Publishers, 2006.

- Kincheloe, J. and S. Steinberg "A Tentative Description of Post-formal Thinking: The Critical Confrontation with Cognitive Theory." Harvard Educational Review, 63.2 (Fall 1993), pp. 296–320.

- Kincheloe, J. "Trouble Ahead, Trouble Behind: Grounding the Post-formal Critique of Educational Psychology," in J. Kincheloe, S. Steinberg, and P. Hinchey, "The Postformal Reader: Cognition and Education." NY: Falmer, 1999.

- Kirylo, James D. *Paulo Freire: The Man from Recife*. New York: Peter Lang, 2011.

v t e Issues in Freirian pedagogy Anti-oppressive education Banking model of education Conscientization Critical consciousness Critical pedagogy Pedagogy of the Oppressed Popular education Praxis Youth empowerment

v t e Critical theory Origins Frankfurt School Freudo-Marxism Concepts Outline of critical theory Reconstructivism Derivatives Archetypal literary criticism Deconstructivism New historicism Technocriticism Critical ... animal studies applied linguistics cartography consciousness criminology data studies design discourse analysis ethnography geography geopolitics historiography international relations theory language awareness legal studies literacy management studies medical anthropology pedagogy mathematics pedagogy university studies practice psychiatry psychology queer theory race theory regionalism security studies social theory social work technical practice terrorism studies Theorists Theodor W. Adorno Walter Benjamin Erich Fromm Jürgen Habermas Axel Honneth Max Horkheimer Otto Kirchheimer Siegfried Kracauer Leo Löwenthal Herbert Marcuse Friedrich Pollock Alfred Schmidt Related Binary opposition Critical rationalism Critical realism perception social sciences Theological Cultural Marxism conspiracy theory Eranos Foundation Hermeneutics of suspicion Immanent critique Phallogocentrism Privilege (social inequality) 2020s controversies around critical race theory

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