Psychology In South Africa Research Articles

The Mission and Role of Psychology in a Traumatised and Changing Society: The Case of South Africa

At present there is a “crisis” in psychology in South Africa. A mental health investigation has been initiated and a national task force appointed in order to reform the profession in all its aspects. These events are the result of a deep sense of unease about the mission, relevance and image of the profession and an awareness that mainstream psychology is irrelevant to the nature and needs of the majority black population. Presently psychology in South Africa is at a crossroads. This paper identifies the mental health needs of the majority black population and suggests professional training programmes for future psychologists and the utilisation of services and resources in delivery systems. The article also re‐defines the psychologist's role in a divided and traumatised society.

Book Review: Social psychology in South Africa

Book Review: Social psychology in South Africa

Psychology: The High Road or the Low Road?

The interests of psychologists in South Africa as reflected in the publications that have appeared during the past five years were assessed by means of a classification in terms of the psychological index terms developed by the American Psychological Association. The authors arrive at the conclusion that while some of the important issues that ought to be addressed in terms of the socio-political problems of the country, and the unique contribution which psychologists are capable of making, receive attention, the level of involvement may be less than is desirable. On the basis of this analysis an advocacy role for South African psychologists is promoted as’ an approach to ensuring that psychology makes the kind of contribution to the country and its people which is in line with its role of a helping profession.

Historical Perspectives on South African Childhood

Historical perspectives are discussed in terms of their relevance to contemporary developmental psychology in South Africa. It is argued that historical viewpoints shed new light on the image of black children in South African society, and on the current status of developmental psychology as it is practised and researched in South Africa.

Research on Cross-Cultural Counselling and Psychotherapy: Implications for the South African Context

Training programmes in cross-cultural competencies have focused on the three interrelated areas of knowledge, awareness and skills. Cross-cultural theorists have found that many Third World clients experience the values of counselling to be inconsistent with their life experiences. Owing to the influence of western variables which operate as potential sources of conflict such clients also often view therapy as an unknown, mystifying process. A major implication of the article is that because of the mismatch between western psychology theory and a Third World environment, the theory and practice of psychology in South Africa may be said to reflect the therapist's encapsulation and lack of cross-cultural competencies. Such competencies are of significance for facilitating a meaningful therapeutic encounter and for the subsequent delivery of relevant psychological services.

Educational Psychology in South Africa

Psychologists play an extremely limited role in priority decision making and in the promotion of mental health at the community level. In a country characterized by extreme socioeconomic dualism and faced with dramatic political changes and mental-health problems approaching crisis dimensions, psychology in general and educational psychology in particular must make crucial decisions pertaining to an expanded professional role, more appropriate intervention models and statutory reforms.

The Training of South African Psychologists: Summary of Findings of the PASA Council Committee for Training

During 1985 the Psychological Association of South Africa (PASA) created a Council Committee for Training to investigate various aspects of the training of professional psychologists in South Africa. A summary of the Committee's report is presented here. The investigation included a questionnaire survey of relevant university departments and intern training institutions to establish current training practices and problems. Recommendations include the establishment of a non-binding system of exchange of specialists between training institutions, revision of the internship requirements for several registration categories, the establishment of directed Master's programmes in Research Psychology, and the approval of part-time internships. Most of the recommendations are presently being implemented or investigated further.

Leporello is on his Knees. In Search of Relevance in South African Psychology

By making use of a metaphor derived from Mozart's opera Don Giovanni, the author indicates that there are many opportunities for psychologists in South Africa to become involved in some of the burning issues of the day, and that there is a great need for research investment in appropriate areas related to the societal problems that exist in the country. He expresses his concern about the possibility that psychology may become trivialized if the approach adopted becomes excessively academic. The issue of relevance in psychology is addressed in some detail, and he illustrates his concern and draws attention to priorities by means of examples related to policy, peace and international issues, the psychological impact of new technology, crime and violence, disability, and health delivery.

A Decade of Environmental Psychology in South Africa

A brief summary is provided of the development of environmental psychology in South Africa. Discussion focuses on contributions to human -environment theorizing, completed research, and university training in environmental psychology. In conclusion it is argued that the development of a socially responsive environmental psychology in South Africa is dependent upon the extent to which attention is paid to sociopolitical factors influencing human — environment relationships.

Clinical psychology in South Africa: A comparative study of emerging professional trends.

Clinical psychology in South Africa: A comparative study of emerging professional trends.

Clinical psychology in South Africa: A comparative study of emerging professional trends.

Clinical psychology in South Africa: A comparative study of emerging professional trends.

Politics and Mental Health: The Position of Clinical Psychology in South Africa

Clinical psychology in South Africa, with few exceptions, has been unresponsive to its socio-political context. Attempts by certain authors to make their work relevant to the South African context are examined. Their adherence to a non-critical, conservative ideology is suggested as a reason for the lack of a more powerful critical focus. It is argued that Apartheid (or the policy of racial segregation) adversely affects the mental well-being of most South Africans through its generation of stress situations unique to this society. It is further argued that clinical psychology cannot claim scientific or moral respectability as long as it continues to take an uncritical position. South African clinical psychologists can begin to remedy this situation through the development of appropriate research and training, as well as public pronouncement through their professional associations.

Practice Preferences of Clinical Psychologists in South Africa

There is a need for information on the practice of clinical psychology in South Africa. The characteristics of clinical psychologists and the patients who consult them were discussed elsewhere. The present article deals with the practice preferences of clinical psychologists in South Africa. Results of a study indicated that the majority of clinical psychologists spent most of their time conducting psychotherapy. They expected this trend to escalate and diagnostic psychological testing to decline in the next decade following the survey. The psychotherapy was generally completed in less than 20 sessions. Respondents were predominantly eclectic in psychotherapeutic orientation but frequently used client-centred and behaviour therapy. Most were satisfied with the suitability of the psychological tests they used, with the exception of neuro-psychological tests. Intelligence and personality assessments were the most common psychometric procedures. The WAIS/SAWAIS was most commonly used to assess intelligence, the TAT to assess personality and the Bender Gestalt Test for neuropsychological evaluation. Findings are discussed with reference to related literature.

Key Issues in the Development of Applied Educational Psychology in the Contemporary South African Context

Applied educational psychology is currently undergoing radical revision in most developed countries. The issues at stake are not only as relevant in South Africa as anywhere but carry an added urgency in the context of our particular society and its emergent needs. Key issues to be confronted are: the relevance issue; the statutory control issue; the advocacy issue; the issue of professional definition; the breadth of role issue; the model of intervention issue. Clarity about these issues and their implications in our society is a necessary pre-requisite to the meaningful development of the profession of applied educational psychology in South Africa.

Social psychology in South Africa.

Social psychology in South Africa.

Psychology in South Africa: Development, Trends and Future Perspectives

Since its establishment in the twenties, psychology in South Africa has developed phenomenally in the academic, research and practical fields. This development has been expedited and stimulated by the ample availability of funds, a particular interest of the public in psychology and a sound infrastructure that regulates the professional and assosiational life of psychologists. There are, however, negative tendencies which reveal that, although a considerable amount of research is done in South Africa, there are not many publications and few research results are applied. Furthermore, as in other countries, not enough is being done toward the accomplishment of a framework or system within which psychological knowledge can be classified. In this regard important research is, however, in progress in South Africa which might lead to a breakthrough in this field.

Post-graduate Training for Non-Whites in Clinical and Counselling Psychology in South Africa: A Survey

Post-graduate Training for Non-Whites in Clinical and Counselling Psychology in South Africa: A Survey

Industrial Psychology in South Africa

No abstract available.