Military psychologists as scientists and practitioners

Roelf Van Niekerk

doi:10.17159/sajs.2016/a0182

Abstract

Military psychology is a sub-discipline of psychology that encompasses a wide range of academic and professional activities such as assessment and measurement (monitoring and selection), diagnosis, intervention (prevention, support, treatment and rehabilitation), training and development, human engineering, organisational development, and research. Because of its comprehensive scope, psychologists from different registration categories (such as clinical, counselling, industrial and research) contribute to different areas of military psychology. Military psychology has been practised in South Africa for almost five decades. In the rest of Africa, military psychology is not as formalised and some may view it as still in its infancy.

Highlights

Van Dyk invited a substantial team of experts – comprising 16 authors and 11 reviewers – to contribute to the book
Military psychology is a sub-discipline of psychology that encompasses a wide range of academic and professional activities such as assessment and measurement, diagnosis, intervention, training and development, human engineering, organisational development, and research
A chapter that is likely to attract considerable attention to the role of traditional healing practices in military psychology was written by a traditional healer who holds a doctorate in psychology

Summary

Introduction

Van Dyk invited a substantial team of experts – comprising 16 authors and 11 reviewers – to contribute to the book. Because of its comprehensive scope, psychologists from different registration categories (such as clinical, counselling, industrial and research) contribute to different areas of military psychology. Military psychology has been practised in South Africa for almost five decades. In the rest of Africa, military psychology is not as formalised and some may view it as still in its infancy.

Results

Conclusion