ERIC Number: EJ1247351
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018-Dec
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-0267-1611
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Educational Psychology at the Crossroads in South Africa
Strous, Martin
Educational & Child Psychology, v35 n3 p76-85 Dec 2018
Aims: This position paper aims to discuss the history of, and problems with, the Scope of Practice for educational psychologists in South Africa. It further aims to show that the Scope of Practice for educational psychologists must be reworked to allow for the delivery of contextually relevant services. Method: The paper presents a conceptual argument and advocates for a scope of practice that more adequately defines the role and functions of South African educational psychologists. Findings: The paper supports the Educational Psychology Association of South Africa's insistence that official policy on the Scope of Practice for educational psychologists should be clear, relevant and rational. If necessary, legal action should be taken to accomplish this. Limitations: The issues discussed are more pertinent to educational psychology in South Africa than internationally. Nevertheless, they have implications for the role of educational psychologists internationally. Conclusions: South African psychologists have had to contend with narrow understandings, blanket statements about their competence and a callous approach to the disruption of psychology practices. There is a need to reconsider the boundaries and identity of educational psychology in South Africa. This could have ramifications for the character of educational psychology internationally.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Educational Psychology, Psychologists, Counseling Techniques, Competence, Access to Health Care, Mental Health, Counseling Services, Cultural Relevance, Advocacy, Racial Bias, Guidelines
British Psychological Society. St Andrews House, 48 Princess Road East, Leicester, LE1 7DR, UK. Tel: +44-116-254-9568; e-mail: info@bps.org.uk; Web site: http://www.bps.org.uk/publications/journals/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Opinion Papers; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: South Africa
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A