Epistemology encompasses various processes of knowledge acquisition, development, and retention. Every culture has distinct methods of acquiring, sharing, and storing knowledge. However, many African societies have lost their conventional epistemology in favor of western epistemology in education and knowledge development within the continent. As such, the proposed study seeks to explore the underutilization of African epistemology in research in African contexts to draw possible implications for the development of African psychology in South Africa. It aims at narrowing the existing knowledge gap on the underutilization of African epistemology. To achieve the objective of the study, the researcher will follow the interpretivism research philosophy, explaining that reality is a social construction. In this regard, qualitative methods of data collection and analysis will be used to answer the research questions.
Underutilization of African Epistemology in Researches in African Contexts: Effects on the Development of African Psychology
Abstract
Epistemology encompasses various processes of knowledge acquisition, development, and retention. Every culture has distinct methods of acquiring, sharing, and storing knowledge. However, many African societies have lost their conventional epistemology in favor of western epistemology in education and knowledge development within the continent. As such, the proposed study seeks to explore the underutilization of African epistemology in research in African contexts to draw possible implications for the development of African psychology in South Africa. It aims at narrowing the existing knowledge gap on the underutilization of African epistemology. To achieve the objective of the study, the researcher will follow the interpretivism research philosophy, explaining that reality is a social construction. In this regard, qualitative methods of data collection and analysis will be used to answer the research questions.
Introduction
Epistemology is a significant learning and teaching process that presents knowledge and skills for effective human development and survival. African epistemology is essential for the development of diverse African societies because it reveals the “rich cultural and intellectual traditions that were systematically denied” (Etta & Offiong, 2019, p. 279) for decades in education and development of African psychology. Thus, the study will seek to explore African epistemology in indigenous setting to draw possible implications for the development of African psychology in South Africa. The aim of the study will be to interview a section of older adults’ to dugout and recover, according to Etta and Offiong (2019, p. 280) “what has been destroyed, stolen, suppressed, and denied to Africans whether cultural,… philosophic or other forms of their heritage”. It is expected that the proposed project will provide new ideas and knowledge that will contribute to the development of African epistemology in African psychology. It is also expected that new knowledge and ideas will help reimagine the policy and practice of African psychology in South African context.
South African Context
There is a growing demand for African epistemology in researches in African indigenous setting in African psychology to improve policy and practice (). There is a paucity of research on what constitute African epistemology and the possible contribution to the development of African psychology in South African context. The colonialism, apartheid, and years of inter-ethnic conflicts in South African have contributed to the neglect of African epistemology in Higher Education Institutions [HEIs]. In addition, compromised African approaches to knowledge construction and sharing leading to Higgs et al. (2004) described as inability to answer questions, such as: 'who are you?" and "who do you want to become?" or "what is there?" and "what is it like?" which guides oral traditions into knowledge production and transfer from an African perspective. Therefore, this research will seek to break away from the application of western epistemology in research and adopt South African knowledge acquisition techniques through interviewing older people defined by aged 60 for female, and 65 and above for other individuals (Teach Africa, 2021). By engaging in this research, the intuitive, religious, and mythological perspectives of South African epistemology will be examined to ensure epistemological discourses.
Research Questions
The following questions will guide this study:
1. How do older adults in South Africa indigenous setting define and interpret African epistemology?
2. What are the key factors of African epistemology in South African contexts?
3. What are the relevant contributions of African epistemology to the development of African psychology?
Research Approach
This research will adopt a qualitative research approach to gain in-depth insights into the study area and appropriately answer the questions (Lapan et al., 2011). A qualitative approach is also appropriate as the study will examine older people's opinions and views regarding South African epistemology in their cultural and social environment. The multicultural theory of abnormal psychology acknowledges that psychology occurs within a framework of culture or society. It recognizes that every culture has its own strengths and weaknesses. The theory provides an effective framework for defeating the parochialism of western epistemology while highlighting the value of the socio-historical experiences of African subjects. While many studies have equated African psychology with traditional healing and folklorism, multiculturalism requires critical engagement with all aspects of culture. In his critique of African-American conceptualizations of African psychology, Nwoye (2020) reiterated that African psychology must consider quantification and measurement of psychological data as a limited approach to holistically studying human beings and the existential contexts that define their realities. He added that their views ignore the spirituality and religiosity of humankind. They argued that spiritual and religious people belong to an invisible realm.
Most African cultures are deeply religious and spiritual; thus, ignoring these factors in designing and implementing psychological practices ignores important aspects of their lives (Nwoye, 2021). Religion is an important source of influence on African cultures. In most African cultures, there is a significant value attached to human behaviour and a belief in unseen influences on those behaviours (Nwoye, 2021). African psychology argues that Africans tend to live based on what people say or do. They attach a lot of meaning to people's words and actions. A strong African belief is in the existence of ancestors and that a person only dies in the body, but the mind and memory remain for many years (Parrinder, 2002). Based on these arguments, African psychology does not replace other thinking but expands the boundaries of psychological research and practice. It makes conventional psychology more flexible and effective in addressing problems arising from different cultures. According to Parrinder (2002), communalistic values are withering in contemporary African societies. It is, therefore, a human self-reflection from a socio-cultural perspective. Epistemology in African psychology shows that African psychology studies should be grounded in inclusive epistemological traditions (Parrinder, 2002). Some knowledge sources include narratives, myths, oral traditions, and dream-related.
Rationale and Significance of the Study
The motivation for this study stems from the growing demand to solve African problems using African epistemology as the guideline to understand the phenomenon under study. There is currently limited research on African epistemology, even among researchers working in African settings, creating problems in knowledge production and sharing. This suggests the necessity for increased research on African epistemology to promote and advance the African way of knowing and addressing realities in diverse African settings. This will also lead to a better understanding of African realities and needs. The lack of research by Africans implies that the available literature is biased in the interpretation of African epistemology as they reflect the influenced thinking of the colonial era. Such biased literature negatively impacts the capacity of native African psychologists who understand the African environment to conduct research that would be potentially beneficial for Africans. It is crucial that contemporary researchers identify, study, and clarify Africans' epistemology and their role in influencing the world and their communities' political, social, and economic conflicts.
The non-existence of African epistemology and psychology within the education systems implies their special abilities and skills remain under-explored. The challenge here is the lack of significant training for psychology students to guide research on African epistemology. In addition, modules on research methodologies in psychology pay little attention to African epistemology, which creates problems in knowledge construction, skills, and attitudes required for application in data analysis and discussion of research findings. Thus, the motivation behind the current study is to contribute towards entrenching the role of African psychology within the universal spectrum of psychological studies. The proposed research acknowledges that African epistemology remain hugely undervalued in the overall contexts of psychological studies. Even in Africa, non-African psychology dominates epistemological discourses, while African universities offer psychology courses that do not address the problems in African society.
Research Objectives
The objectives of the study will be to:
1. Examine how older adults in South Africa indigenous setting define and interpret African epistemology. The research will assess the definition of African epistemology in psychology both from South African perspectives.
2. Explore the factors of African epistemology in South African contexts. The study will seek to identify, interpret, and explain the unique elements of African epistemology used in selected literature.
3. Explore the relevance of component of African epistemology to the development of African psychology. Here, the researcher's interest will be to identify to elements of African epistemology that will facilitate the evolution of African psychology in South Africa.
Literature Review
Many studies such as Makhubela (2016) and Ratele (2017) have been conducted on the issues of African epistemology and how they can be incorporated into contemporary research in African psychology. African psychology' is used to define the scope of research within the African region, to understand the various epistemes, approaches, and perspectives toward the continent and the mentality of the African peoples (Makhubela, 2016). The term is significant as it develops an understanding of the various psychological aspects of Africa and its population to influence an understanding of African identity (Ratele, 2017). While African psychology is centred on the tenets of African epistemes and drives thought toward African psychology, limited to African peoples and systems, it may extend beyond Africa and influence meaning and thought in a broader global context (Ratele, 2017; Vermeulen, 2011). Regardless of future developments in other global non-African settings and cultures, Nsamenang (2011) believes that Western classifications and concepts should not influence African epistemology to the extent that they have an impact on lived African histories.
African Epistemology
African epistemology defines the philosophical approaches towards understanding the development, origin, and growth of knowledge on the African continent and involved systems (Ani, 2013). In the African epistemological structure, knowledge development is innately related to wisdom, such that the wisest and most knowledgeable address the scientific aspects of reality while incorporating various pragmatist perspectives to address various concerns (Ani, 2013). African epistemology thus develops from a multifaceted approach to the perception of life within the various traditions and cultures that comprise the region. The development of African epistemology is thus realizable by increasing the focus on the inclusion of native African knowledge to develop an independent voice and influence within the culture's own sense to impact other scientific frameworks instead of adopting different perspectives (Vermeulen, 2011).
[...]
- Quote paper
- Mourine Atsien (Author), 2022, Underutilization of African Epistemology in Researches in African Contexts. Effects on the Development of African Psychology, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1326030
-
-
-
-
Upload your own papers! Earn money and win an iPhone X. -
-
Upload your own papers! Earn money and win an iPhone X. -
-
Upload your own papers! Earn money and win an iPhone X. -
-
Upload your own papers! Earn money and win an iPhone X. -
-
Upload your own papers! Earn money and win an iPhone X. -
-
Upload your own papers! Earn money and win an iPhone X. -
-
Upload your own papers! Earn money and win an iPhone X.