Key Issues in the Development of Applied Educational Psychology in the Contemporary South African Context

Abstract

Applied educational psychology is currently undergoing radical revision in most developed countries. The issues at stake are not only as relevant in South Africa as anywhere but carry an added urgency in the context of our particular society and its emergent needs. Key issues to be confronted are: the relevance issue; the statutory control issue; the advocacy issue; the issue of professional definition; the breadth of role issue; the model of intervention issue. Clarity about these issues and their implications in our society is a necessary pre-requisite to the meaningful development of the profession of applied educational psychology in South Africa.