Themes in South African Psychology (1948–2011)

Abstract

Psychology is prized in Western societies on account of its interest in social problems—an inclination that, historically, assumed such proportions that it did not take long for practical psychology to supersede in scope the marginally older academic psychology (Jansz 2004). In a similar manner, the development of psychology in South Africa depended on its degree of social engagement, exemplified by psychologists’ contributions to the Poor White study, during mobilization efforts, and in the disciplining of black labor (Seedat and MacKenzie 2008). Indeed, the relationship of psychology to society is a recurring motif in South African psychology congresses, going some way toward explaining the persistence of debates about “relevance” in the country. But before commencing with the critical discursive analysis itself, some degree of familiarity with the contents of the analyzed addresses is required.