Self In African Psychology Essay

Psychology as the interpretation of human behaviour has been centralised by the view of the self. The most fundamental aspect of the self in African Psychology is the emphasis on the relationship between community, culture and environment. “Indigenous conceptualization of the self-identity is very much an alienable feature of the interdependent world. Personal identity is holistically defined in terms of kindships, ritual, spiritual relationships, and responsibilities, all of which are inseparable from each other and the land, that is, nature. “(Morgan, Slade, & Morgan, 1997,p.598). This statement can justify the theory of the self through influences of cultural and environmental aspects in African psychology through evidence dating back over 25 000 years ago recently showing Southern-African hunter gathers using cultural practices such as

African psychology thus emphasises the connection that people have with all aspects of life. However in a comparative belief study by Kofi Asare Opoku, Tasha Davis and Alik Shahadah(2005-2012) state that “Nowhere in Africa is there “spirituality “outside of a culture”. This acknowledgement gives way to the spiritual emphasis of both the non-living and living influence of African psychology.

Spirituality from an African point of view acknowledges that beliefs and practises are involved in all facets of life and are unable to be separated from every day. (Choirazzi, A. 2015). Spirituality is the connection between individuals and a higher force which creates a hierarchy of all things that make up the universe. God/Supreme Being is at the top of the hierarchy followed by ancestors, the living and then plants and animals (Kelland, M. 2015). It is the belief that God has given people life and for individuals to live the highest quality of life to appreciate their gif.