L5 History of social psychology PII CANVAS

A History of Social Psychology and the Interconnected Self

1. Shiloh’s Readings: Essential Resources

  • Bhatia, S. & Ram, A. (2009): Discusses identity in transnational and diaspora cultures, providing a critical approach to acculturation.

  • Hodgetts, D. et al. (2010): Explores Indigenous psychologies and their relevance to everyday life.

  • Penehira, M. et al. (2014): Focuses on Indigenous views of resistance and resilience in the context of social justice and identity.

  • Smith, G. (2012): Examines the implications of Kaupapa Māori approaches in education and psychology.

  • Teo, T. (2011): Investigates racial psychology and the nuances of epistemological violence.

2. Lecture Outline

  1. What it means to be Indigenous?

  2. Indigenous cosmologies

  3. Colonisation

  4. Indigenous perspectives in psychology

  5. Psychology of the interconnected self

  6. Decolonising psychology

  7. Summary points

3. Individualistic vs. Collectivist Orientations

  • Individualistic:

    • Dominant approach; focuses on individual and group behavior under controlled conditions.

    • Views behavior through a ‘helicopter perspective’.

  • Collectivist:

    • Marginalized historically, emphasizes relationships and contexts.

    • Studies social psychological processes in structural relational contexts—‘street view’.

  • Key Tensions:

    • Focus of social psychology: individual vs. structural issues.

    • Nature of human beings: individualistic thinkers vs. interconnected actors.

    • Research methodologies: open vs. closed systems.

4. Historical Figures in Psychology

Francis Cecil Sumner

  • Critique of biological determinism and racism in psychology.

  • Emphasized socio-economic factors over biological ones to explain intergroup differences.

  • Known as the ‘Father of Black Psychology’ in the US, translated key psychological texts.

  • Advocated understanding human behavior in societal contexts.

  • Led to an apology from the American Psychological Association for its historical role in racism.

Marie Jahoda

  • Introduced the strength-based concept of ‘social support’.

  • Linked interpersonal relations to socio-political contexts, addressing structural inequities.

  • Demonstrated the effects of social conditions on mental and physical health.

  • Opposed reductionist psychology approaches, arguing for complex understanding of psychological phenomena.

5. Post-WWII Shifts in Social Psychology

  • Renewed focus on individualistic approaches influenced by the war efforts and collective psychology learning.

  • Significance of experiments in understanding social dynamics but risks of oversimplifying complex behaviors.

6. Rethinking the Milgram Experiment

  • Initial acceptance of obedience experiments without acknowledging broader socio-historical complexities.

  • Critics note missed nuances like resilience, agency, and the context of Nazi propaganda.

  • Emphasizes how structural pressures shape human behavior.

7. Insights from Milgram & Clark

  • Kenneth Clark’s Research: Studied the internalization of racial identities in African American children using Doll Studies.

  • Underlined the impact of societal segregation on self-perception and racial identity.

8. Politics in Social Psychology

  • Anti-communist sentiments influenced the practice and focus of social psychologists post-WWII.

  • Shifted from addressing oppressed groups to catering to state and industry needs.

9. Gergen’s Crisis in Social Psychology

  • Key Issues Identified:

    • Irrelevance of research to real-world problems.

    • Concerns over the universal validity of findings (replication crisis).

    • Debate over the necessity of objectivity in psychological research aiming to help.

10. Psychologies of Liberation

  • Critique of Western-centric approaches to psychology.

  • Advocated for a diverse and inclusive approach addressing inequities.

  • Emphasized community-based efforts over laboratory isolation.

11. Displacing the Cartesian Self

  • Critique of individualism and rationalism inherent in Cartesian perspectives.

  • Highlighted interconnectedness and interdependence in human relations.

12. Intersectionality

  • A framework acknowledging the interconnectedness of various identities (race, gender, class, etc.).

  • Provided a lens to understand and address material inequalities.

13. Applying Intersectional Approaches

  • Engaging with communities, critiquing societal structures, and teaching social justice initiatives.

14. Intergroup Politics and Historical Memory

  • Recognition of the impact of historical narratives on present identities and conflicts.

  • Importance of dialogue to build communal understanding beyond simplistic categorizations.

15. Mohamed Seedat’s Contributions

  • Emphasized the need for empathy and consciousness in reconciling intergroup relations.

  • Advocated for an engaged psychology that acknowledges histories of violence.

16. Indigenous Models of Interconnected Self

  • Te Wheke Model (Dr. Rose Pere): Emphasizes holistic connections in health.

  • Whare Tapa Wha Model (Prof. Mason Durie): Focuses on wellness in the context of interconnectedness.

17. Understanding Human Complexity

  • Each individual is unique and not merely a product of their social contexts.

  • Human lives and practices are complex and cannot fit into simplistic psychological categories.

18. Concluding Points

  • Emphasis on the necessity to challenge traditional orthodoxies in psychology for relevance and effectiveness.

  • Importance of incorporating diverse historical contexts in social psychology practices to avoid past mistakes.