PYC1511
Introduction to psychology
Unit 1
Preparation questions & answers for exams + words with definitions
Introduction : The following pages consists of over 75 questions that can be
asked in your exam, it also has words with definitions that can be asked.
Happy learning!
,1. Question: What is the nature of the history of psychology in Africa?
Answer: The history of psychology in Africa is not a straight line, meaning it is not a linear progression
from how it is defines or conceptualized too how it is understood and practiced in Africa, particularly
South Africa.
2. Question: What challenges did universities in Africa face in establishing the departments of
psychology?
Answer: One of the challenges was the difficulty in finding relevant and local experts to fill the
departments of psychology. Western hegemonic domination and attempts to speak for Africans on the
nature of the life of the mind in Africa also contributed to the problem.
3. Question: how is psychology defined from a western perspective?
Answer: From a western perspective psychology is defined as the study of thought, emotions and
observed behavior, emphasizing its scientific aspects.
4. Question: what is the significance of recognizing psychology beyond the European cultural and
psychological tradition?
Answer: There was an inability to recognize and admit that there was valuable psychological knowledge
beyond the traditional European cultural and psychological tradition, which limited the development of a
diverse and inclusive psychology.
5. Question: how has psychology been integrated into African society?
Answer: Although psychology has been part of the African society, the content and orientation of
psychology as a professional discipline as Euro-American imports.
6. Question: When were universities In Africa established, and what was their connection to colonialism?
, Answer: Universities in Africa were established in the 1960s and 1970s following Africa’s colonial contact
with Europe. Many of them started as offshore colleges of the University of London, offering courses
developed abroad and imported to Africa.
7. Question: why is the history of sociology important in the African context?
Answer: The story of psychology is important as it provides both background information and highlights
the shortcomings of the discipline of sociology in the African context.
8. Question: what is the significance of recognizing psychology beyond the European cultural and
psychological tradition?
Answer: There was an inability to recognize and admit that there was valuable psychological knowledge
beyond the traditional European cultural and psychological tradition, which limited the development of a
diverse and inclusive psychology.
9. Question: what factors influence the conceptualization and delivery of psychology in Africa?
Answer: various historical events influence the way psychology was conceptualized and delivered in Africa,
leading the power shifts in society.
10. Question: how was Euro-American psychology introduced to Africa during the colonial?
Answer: Euro-American psychology was introduced to Africa during the colonial period partly through
Christian missionaries visiting western psychologists, and Africans who were trained in conventional
western psychology abroad.
11. Question: What does Nwoye’s definition of psychology emphasis?
Answer: Nwoye define psychology as a systematic and informed study that of the complexities of human
mental life, culture, an experience in the pre and post-colonial African world, considering local world
views to be important.
12. Question: what role did Christian missionaries play in introducing western psychology to Africa?
Answer: according to Nsamenang, Christian missionaries introduced mainstream western psychology in
the philosophy training curriculum intended for African candidates for theology and priesthood.
13. Question: how does geographic locations of psychology's origins impact African people?
Introduction to psychology
Unit 1
Preparation questions & answers for exams + words with definitions
Introduction : The following pages consists of over 75 questions that can be
asked in your exam, it also has words with definitions that can be asked.
Happy learning!
,1. Question: What is the nature of the history of psychology in Africa?
Answer: The history of psychology in Africa is not a straight line, meaning it is not a linear progression
from how it is defines or conceptualized too how it is understood and practiced in Africa, particularly
South Africa.
2. Question: What challenges did universities in Africa face in establishing the departments of
psychology?
Answer: One of the challenges was the difficulty in finding relevant and local experts to fill the
departments of psychology. Western hegemonic domination and attempts to speak for Africans on the
nature of the life of the mind in Africa also contributed to the problem.
3. Question: how is psychology defined from a western perspective?
Answer: From a western perspective psychology is defined as the study of thought, emotions and
observed behavior, emphasizing its scientific aspects.
4. Question: what is the significance of recognizing psychology beyond the European cultural and
psychological tradition?
Answer: There was an inability to recognize and admit that there was valuable psychological knowledge
beyond the traditional European cultural and psychological tradition, which limited the development of a
diverse and inclusive psychology.
5. Question: how has psychology been integrated into African society?
Answer: Although psychology has been part of the African society, the content and orientation of
psychology as a professional discipline as Euro-American imports.
6. Question: When were universities In Africa established, and what was their connection to colonialism?
, Answer: Universities in Africa were established in the 1960s and 1970s following Africa’s colonial contact
with Europe. Many of them started as offshore colleges of the University of London, offering courses
developed abroad and imported to Africa.
7. Question: why is the history of sociology important in the African context?
Answer: The story of psychology is important as it provides both background information and highlights
the shortcomings of the discipline of sociology in the African context.
8. Question: what is the significance of recognizing psychology beyond the European cultural and
psychological tradition?
Answer: There was an inability to recognize and admit that there was valuable psychological knowledge
beyond the traditional European cultural and psychological tradition, which limited the development of a
diverse and inclusive psychology.
9. Question: what factors influence the conceptualization and delivery of psychology in Africa?
Answer: various historical events influence the way psychology was conceptualized and delivered in Africa,
leading the power shifts in society.
10. Question: how was Euro-American psychology introduced to Africa during the colonial?
Answer: Euro-American psychology was introduced to Africa during the colonial period partly through
Christian missionaries visiting western psychologists, and Africans who were trained in conventional
western psychology abroad.
11. Question: What does Nwoye’s definition of psychology emphasis?
Answer: Nwoye define psychology as a systematic and informed study that of the complexities of human
mental life, culture, an experience in the pre and post-colonial African world, considering local world
views to be important.
12. Question: what role did Christian missionaries play in introducing western psychology to Africa?
Answer: according to Nsamenang, Christian missionaries introduced mainstream western psychology in
the philosophy training curriculum intended for African candidates for theology and priesthood.
13. Question: how does geographic locations of psychology's origins impact African people?
