Social Psychology

What does personality represent in the context of human behavior?

Personality represents an aspect of humanity that explains why people behave in a certain way or do certain things.

Why are the nature, structure, and functioning of personality important according to Akbar (2004)?

They are important for understanding how people view the world and themselves.

What is social psychology?

Social psychology is the scientific study of how people's behavior and decision-making are largely influenced by society.

How does African cosmology influence worldview according to Kanu (2013)?

African cosmology refers to the ways in which Africans perceive, conceive of, and understand their universe.

What is the relationship between cosmology and African value systems?

Cosmology holds the link between a person's thoughts and African value systems.

What does ontology refer to in the context of African philosophy?

Ontology refers to someone's ways of being, offering a holistic view of a person's existence in society.

What is meant by a holistic view in African ontology?

A holistic view includes an African's existence in the world within his/her community, with the spiritual, and with the physical world.

What does Isimilo/semelo describe?

Isimilo/semelo describes someone's personality and characteristics.

What does indalo yakhe signify?

Indalo yakhe signifies a person's natural manner or ways, explaining the kind of person someone is.

What are Mekhoa in the context of personality?

Mekhoa refers to 'personality traits' that give hints of the kind of essence someone brings forth.

What was the agenda behind personality studies on black or African individuals?

These studies had a racist agenda, classifying all Africans as a single category and presenting them as inferior to whites.

Who are some well-known psychologists that promoted racist ideas?

David Hume, Francis Galton, Karl Pearson, Herbert Spencer, and Stanley Hall.

What concept did Hume emphasize regarding black and African people?

Hume emphasized the notion of an inferiority complex.

What does trait theory focus on in personality psychology?

Trait theory focuses on individual differences that are stable over time.

What is attribution theory in social psychology?

Attribution theory refers to how we perceive others when they make decisions.

What does self-perception theory explain?

Self-perception theory explains how we perceive ourselves.

What is social identity theory?

Social identity theory refers to how we categorize ourselves and others.

What does cognitive dissonance theory address?

Cognitive dissonance theory addresses how our minds have trouble processing conflicting information.

What is the main idea behind evolutionary theory in social psychology?

Evolutionary theory refers to how and why we see people the way we do, with Charles Darwin as the main proponent.

What is the significance of communality in African culture?

Africans' communality extends to humans and acknowledges other living and non-living beings, such as plants and animals.

How do Bantu cultures view animals and plants?

In most Bantu cultures, each clan has its own animal/plant regarded as an integral member of the family.

What are the effects of colonialism on trauma?

The effects of colonialism are intergenerational, resulting in trauma that leads to other issues.

What are the biological means of trauma transmission?

The biological means of trauma transmission focus on the trauma being transferred to foetus while mother is pregnant

What is projective identification?

Projective identification occurs when an individual projects unacceptable feelings onto another person.

What does over-disclosure mean in the context of trauma?

Over-disclosure refers to individuals who have suffered trauma disclosing graphic details to their children to help them navigate an unsafe world.

Why might silence occur in the context of traumatic events?

Silence may occur because traumatic events can be confusing, making it difficult for parents who experienced political violence to speak about it.

What is the societal level of trauma transfusion?

Trauma transfusion at a societal level includes silence produced through state oppression and terror, as well as silence by social scientists and historians.

How is shame defined in the context of emotions?

Shame is defined as a negative emotion, a feeling of being lacking as a human being in some vital way.