UNIT 1 - HISTORY OF PSYCHOLOGY Flashcards
What is the main idea behind the history of psychology in Africa and why is it considered not to be a straight line?
it has been significantly shaped by various historical events, particularly colonialism These events influenced how psychology was understood and practiced,
leading to power imbalances and a Western-centric approach.
Where did the content and orientation of psychology as a professional discipline originate, and what is its influence in Africa?
primarily Euro-American imports.
Despite psychology existing within African societies, the formal discipline, its theories, and practices were introduced through colonial influence.
This has meant that the knowledge created from this conceptualization continues to have consequences for African people.
How did Euro-American psychology enter Africa during the colonial period?
Christian missionaries, who incorporated Western psychology into the philosophy training for African clergy.
Visiting Western psychologists who brought their perspectives and practices.
African students who studied abroad in Western universities and returned with training in conventional Western psychology.
What is the difference between how Nwoye and APA define psychology?
The APA (American Psychological Association) defines psychology as the study of thought, emotions, and observed behavior, emphasizing the “scientific” aspect.
Nwoye defines psychology as the “systematic and informed study of the complexities of human mental life, culture and experience in the pre- and post-colonial African world.”
Nwoye’s definition includes the importance of local worldviews and cultural contexts, which the APA definition does not explicitly address.
What impact did the establishment of universities in Africa have on the development of psychology?
While the establishment of universities in Africa created opportunities for studying psychology, they often became centers for the importation and transplantation of Euro-American psychologies. This resulted in a Western-dominated view of the discipline and a lack of locally relevant expertise and perspectives. The universities often mirrored European systems, further perpetuating this dominance.
How did the dominance of the Western worldview affect the study of psychology in Africa?
The dominance of the Western worldview in psychology has shaped the definition of the discipline, its sub-disciplines, and its methods.
This is inextricably linked to the historical oppression of African people through colonialism and imperialism.
The emphasis on “scientific” psychology can marginalize other forms of knowledge and understanding.
What is the significance of “epistemic location” in the context of psychology?
“Epistemic location” refers to how a person’s geographical and cultural context influences their worldview and understanding of the world. Because worldviews differ based on location, psychological theories developed in one context (e.g., Europe) may not be universally applicable or relevant to people in other contexts (e.g., Africa). It emphasizes that psychology is not value-free but is informed by cultural reference.
How did psychology become involved in the system of apartheid in South Africa?
In South Africa, psychology was used to justify and perpetuate racial segregation and oppression during apartheid.
White psychologists played a role in creating policies and research that supported the idea of racial inferiority, particularly of Black people.
Psychology was instrumentalized to maintain the status quo and enforce discriminatory practices.
How did psychology develop in Zambia during the colonial period?
In Zambia, psychology emerged within the context of anthropological research conducted by the Rhodes-Livingstone Institute. Initially, it served the interests of the British colonial powers.
Research focused on areas like perceptual development and occupational selection, often using Western methodologies that were not always appropriate for the African context.
Define abnormal psychology.
The study of unusual patterns of behavior, emotion, and thought considered maladaptive.
What is the focus of cross-cultural psychology?
The scientific study of human behavior and mental processes under diverse cultural conditions.
What does developmental psychology study?
Human development across the lifespan, including physical, emotional, and social changes.
Who was Chabani N Manganyi?
The first Black psychologist in South Africa.
What is the significance of the Rhodes-Livingstone Institute in the history of psychology in Zambia?
It was a key center for anthropological and psychological research during the colonial period, though its work often served colonial interests
What is the “Big 5” personality model?
A model used in personality psychology to describe individual differences in people.
What is the difference between radical and methodological behaviorists?
Radical: Study only observable behavior and environmental processes. Methodological: Include cognitive processes.
How was psychology used during apartheid in South Africa?
To justify and perpetuate racial segregation and oppression, often through research and policies promoting racial inferiority.
What role did prominent white psychologists play in South Africa during apartheid?
Some actively contributed to the creation and implementation of apartheid policies, while others protested against the misuse of psychology
What challenges arose from using Western psychological methods in the African context?
Western methods were not always appropriate and often needed to be redefined to fit the local context and address issues of cultural relevance (e.g., language barriers, socio-economic factors).
What is the etymological origin of the word “psychology”?
From the Greek psychē (soul) and logos (study).
According to the text, what is a “world view”?
A set of presumptions that particular people have about the world, including ideas about life, death, God, nature, etc.
What is the significance of the opening of the Al-Abssia Mental Health Hospital in Cairo in 1880?
It was the first mental hospital in Africa and the Arab world, marking an early development in mental health care in the region.
Who was R.W. Wilcocks, and what was his contribution to psychology in South Africa?
He established the first experimental psychology laboratory at the University of Stellenbosch, modeled after Wundt’s lab.
The dominance of Western perspectives and theories in the field, often at the expense of African voices and indigenous knowledge systems.
“Western hegemonic domination”
