Epistemological and Cultural Perspectives in African Psychology

Abstract

This chapter highlights the philosophical, epistemological, and cultural perspectives in African psychology. The principal goal of the chapter is to illustrate some of the efforts that scholars of continental African psychology are making to unbind themselves from the restrictive ways of doing psychology propagated by mainstream Western psychology. The chapter presents continental African psychology as a legitimate and autonomous postcolonial field of psychology endowed with its own critical orientation to psychological scholarship. The key themes discussed include the epistemological stances of African psychology, the methodological philosophy of constructive alternativism that advances the processes of research and scholarship in African psychology, the notion of African psychology as a human science, the idea of human beings as cultural-historical beings, and the notion of the modern African child as a child of the “middle ground.” The chapter shows that African psychology favors an open philosophy approach to the study of psychology.

Unattended grieving in the context of COVID 19 in Botswana

“…It is noteworthy that prevailing theories of grief and mourning, primarily developed in Euro-Western contexts, tend to emphasize the individual's emotional journey (Kubler-Ross 1969;Kubler-Ross & Kessler 2005). However, African-centred epistemologies have challenged this individualistic perspective Nwoye 2000Nwoye , 2005Nwoye & Nwoye 2012). These African perspectives underscore the communal and culturally embedded nature of grief experiences.…”

“…Psycho-pastoral accompaniment, in this context, is characterized by the provision of emotional and psychological support to individuals while also exhibiting profound respect for the cultural and spiritual dimensions of their grieving experiences (Canham 2020). Furthermore, it acknowledges that grief transcends the boundaries of individualized or clinical matters and is fundamentally a shared experience that encompasses biological, emotional, and social dimensions (Nwoye 2005). This approach places significant emphasis on fostering community solidarity, preserving and respecting cultural rituals, and nurturing the spiritual connection between the living and the departed (Asante 2013;.…”

“…In African contexts, grief work has unique cultural dimensions and communal rituals that play a crucial role in supporting mourners (Nwoye 2000(Nwoye , 2005Nwoye & Nwoye 2012). It emphasizes the collective nature of grief and mourning, often involving "patterned ways" of healing psychological wounds within traditional communities (Nwoye, 2005).…”

“…In African contexts, grief work has unique cultural dimensions and communal rituals that play a crucial role in supporting mourners (Nwoye 2000(Nwoye , 2005Nwoye & Nwoye 2012). It emphasizes the collective nature of grief and mourning, often involving "patterned ways" of healing psychological wounds within traditional communities (Nwoye, 2005). These rituals and practices are deeply interconnected with spirituality and cultural beliefs, offering a framework for individuals to cope with loss collectively (Walter 2007;Gichinga 2007).…”