Unit 1-Role of Psychology in segregation and colonisation Flashcards
What role did psychology play in the establishment of government rationality, according to Rose (1988)?
Rose (1988) argues that psychology was involved in giving birth to government rationality, providing states with new ways to control and manage their citizens. Psychological science became a body of beliefs, institutes, and techniques used by governments for regulation in areas like schools, prisons, factories, labor markets, and economies.
How did psychology contribute to racial classification, particularly in South Africa?
Psychology played a key role in classifying human differences, which led to an emphasis on differences between racial groups. In South Africa, as well as other places like the USA, psychologists focused on differentiating between whites and blacks. This research, often biased, was used to justify racial segregation and discriminatory policies, particularly regarding labor and industrial practices. Intelligence testing was one tool used in this process.
What was the significance of the Carnegie Commission (1932) in relation to psychology and racial inequality in South Africa?
The Carnegie Commission investigated poverty among white South Africans. Its recommendations on segregation aimed to assist poor whites while simultaneously preventing racial mixing and maintaining white racial purity and economic power. This demonstrates how psychology was used to reinforce racial hierarchies and justify discriminatory policies.
How are colonization and apartheid similar, and how do they relate to psychology?
Both colonization and apartheid are systems of oppression. Colonization involves a settler group invading and exploiting indigenous people economically, culturally, politically, and psychologically. Apartheid, a formalized system of racial segregation in South Africa, shares these characteristics. Psychology was used to justify both systems, with authorities citing supposed scientific findings about the inferiority of certain racial groups.
How did psychology function as a tool of the colonial and apartheid regimes?
Psychology was co-opted by these regimes to justify oppressive policies. For example, “scientific” findings about the supposed inferiority of Africans were used to support apartheid and colonization. Psychologists, including figures like JC Smuts and HF Verwoerd, contributed to this by developing theories and practices that reinforced racial hierarchies.
What is the connection between psychology and the concept of “poor whites” in South Africa?
White psychologists studied the “poor white problem” to ensure the maintenance of white superiority. This was done as a form of social reform, aiming to address the issues faced by poor whites while preserving the existing racial hierarchy. The focus on poor whites illustrates how psychology was used to solidify racial divisions.
How did the construction of “black inferiority” impact black South Africans?
The construction of “black inferiority” by white psychologists influenced the type of education, employment, and accommodation provided to black people. This concept was used to justify discriminatory practices and limit opportunities for black South Africans.
What is the criticism of Eurocentric knowledge systems like psychology?
Critics argue that these systems, originating primarily in Western countries, offer a limited and biased perspective on human behavior. They fail to account for diverse cultural contexts and can be used to marginalize and oppress individuals who do not fit the Western mold.
How did psychology contribute to identity formation during the apartheid era?
Psychology, by providing information about human behavior to the government, facilitated the control and management of people. Racial identities were ascribed based on perceived racial differences, leading to the political identities of white superiority and black inferiority.
How did psychology in South Africa go beyond just being a body of knowledge?
Psychology in South Africa actively attempted to use psychological knowledge to address societal needs, through applied practices like therapy, psychological testing, and other interventions. However, these applications were often used to perpetuate discriminatory practices and further the goals of the apartheid regime, contradicting the discipline’s supposed aim of helping society.
