'Relevansie' in die sielkunde in Suid-Afrika

Abstract

In this article a general view regarding the debate on relevance in psychology in South Africa is given. It would appear that the psychology profession should be established as an important role player in the socio-political context of the country in order to make a contribution towards a peaceful and democratic society. To be able to render efficient cross-cultural services, the universal principles of psychology should be adhered to. Cultural diversity should, however, be acknowledged and Afrocentric principles in psychology should be accommodated. Attention should be given to the shortage of psychologists from non-Western population groups, while co-operation with traditional healers should be promoted. Psychological services should be extended to the broad population, and such services should be made more accessible and should be marketed better. Furthermore some implications of the debate on relevance in the training of psychologists have been discussed.

In hierdie artikel word 'n oorsig gebied oor die relevansiedebat in die sielkunde in Suid-Afrika. Die blyk dat die sielkundeprofessie as belangrike rolspeler in die sosio-politieke konteks van die land gevestig moet word ten einde 'n bydrae tot 'n vreedsame en demokratiese samelewing te lewer. Om doeltreffende kruiskulturele dienste te kan lewer, moet die universele beginsels van die sielkunde behou word. Dit is egter ewe belangrik dat kulturele diversiteit erken en Afrosentriese beginsels in die sielkunde geakkommodeer word. Aandag behoort geskenk te word aan die tekort aan sielkundiges uit nie-Westerse bevolkingsgroepe, terwyl samewerking met tradisionele genesers bevorder moet word. Daarby moet sielkundige dienste na die breë bevolking uitgebrei en sodanige dienste meer toeganklik gemaak en beter bemark word. Die voorafgaande het noodwendig implikasie vir die opleiding van sielkundiges.