Towards a More Socially Responsive Psychology

Abstract

The South African situation provides exceptional opportunities for socially relevant activities by psychologists. Research strategies that seem likely to advance psychology faster and more validly, are: better use of inductive inference, more short-run empiricism, greater use of qualitative methods, greater use of combined quantitative and qualitative methods, and approaching subjects as co-inquiring participants. The question is discussed whether present psychological knowledge warrants application, and ways in which psychologists can assist in application are mentioned. Lastly, some examples are given of the kind of application of which we need more in South Africa.