University of the Witwatersrand

School of Human and Community Development

Discipline of Psychology

Introduction to Psychology I (PSYC1009)

2021

BLOCK 1

Lecturer: Sonto Madonsela (sonto.madonsela@wits.ac.za)

https://ulwazi.wits.ac.za/

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 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY

INTRODUCTION

Through different schools of thought located in Western and African contexts, this
introduction to psychology course will explore and compare different perspectives on
the self. We will analyse and discuss some of the key issues and themes that pertain
to the nature of the self, its position in the universe and its relationship with broader
society. The aim of this course is to introduce students to the history of psychology
located in Western contexts with specific South African examples; as well as its socio-
political applications in South Africa. The course will also introduce different system of
thought in the form of African Psychology. A further aim of the course is to demonstrate
the contested nature of these different schools of thought and to think about different
methods for conducting research in psychology.

COMPONENT OUTCOMES

• To understand key concepts, debates and theories in psychology

• To develop an appreciation of the contested nature of the different schools of
thought in psychology
• To apply theories to explain human behaviour in applied everyday life contexts
• To engage critically with the debates and theories in psychology
• To employ academic conventions regarding written work and to present logical
written arguments

PRESCRIBED TEXTBOOK

Swartz, L., De la Rey, C., Duncan, N., Townsend, L., & O'Neill, V. (Eds.).
(2016). Psychology: An Introduction. Cape Town, South Africa: Oxford University
Press Southern Africa.

CLASS REPRESENTATIVES

At the beginning of the year your lecturers facilitate the election of two class
representatives by the class. These representatives will be responsible for bringing
any suggestions or matters raised by students within the class to the attention of the
lecturing staff. Of course, you are still welcome to approach me directly with any query,
concern, suggestion or problem.

LECTURER DETAILS

NAME OFFICE NUMBER EMAIL

Emthonjeni Centre
Ms Sonto Madonsela 011 717 4585 Sonto.madonsela@wits.ac.za
Office 116

I will communicate times when I will be available for consultation at the beginning of
our lectures. In addition, we also have a Learning Management System, Ulwazi, that

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 we will use to answer any email enquiries or repeat enquiries. Please consult Ulwazi
first to see if we have already provided an answer to your query. We will also use the
website as an electronic notice-board to pass on any “last-minute” course-related
material to the class.

CLASS TIMES

SLOT A:

Wednesdays 10h15-12h00

SLOT B:

Wednesdays 14h15-16h00

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
There is an administrative team to run this course. Please contact the relevant staff
member according to their responsibilities as detailed in the table below. Alternatively
send an email to PSYC10092021@gmail.com .

ROLE NAME CONTACT DETAILS RESPONSIBILITIES

Signing Off Progress
Course 011 717 4504 Reports
Mr Phumlani Mthethwa
Administrator Phumlani.mthethwa@wits.ac.za Essay & Test Mark
Queries
Course Course Coordinator
Mr Martin Kassen Martin.Kassen@wits.ac.za
Co-ordinator
Course Ms. Hayley Haynes- Hayley.Hayens- Tutorial Coordinator
Co-ordinator Rolando Rolando@wits.ac.za
Course Course Coordinator
Ms Anwynne Kern Anwynne.kern@wits.ac.za
Co-ordinator

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 COURSE OVERVIEW

WEEK TOPIC CONTENT

First Lecture: What is psychology? (Introduction & Course
Introduction to Information)
1. 8 – 12 March
Psychology Second Lecture: Perspectives in Psychology
(Terms/Definitions)

Introduction to Perspectives in Psychology-History

2. 15 – 19 March
Psychology Women and Black SA Psychologists

3. 22 – 26 March First Lecture: What is African Psychology?

African Psychology & Test
Preparation
Second Lecture: Test Preparation

TEST Wednesday, 31 March – Thursday, 1 April 2021

History of South African The History of S.A. Psychology and its Relationship with
4. 6 – 9 April
Psychology Apartheid

Racism Racism in Psychology

5. 12 – 16 April
South African Psychology Examples of Scientific Abuses of Psychology e.g.
& Racism Intelligence, Genetics, etc.

First Lecture: The Research Process-Importance of Ethics

Research Methods in
6. 19 – 23 April
Psychology Second Lecture: Research Methods; Qualitative and
Quantitative Approaches
ESSAY Friday, 16 April 2021

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Assessments

1. Tutorials

Tutorial activities along with their submission dates will be loaded on Ulwazi.

Tutorial topics

1. Principles of academic writing

2. Planning your essay
3. Referencing

2. Block test- this will make up of 5% of block mark

You will have 1 online test during the module.

The test will consist of 50 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) for a time limit of 60 minutes for
a total of 50 marks. Announcement will be on Ulwazi.

Please note that the site will open at the specified time and close at specified time. Once you
have started the test you have 60 minutes to complete it. Should you encounter any problems
with the online platform/ connectivity problems you will have one other opportunity to take
the test, but you will start a brand-new test. The test will be open on the following day/times

Wednesday, 31 March 08h00 - Thursday, 1 April 17h00

3. Participation in research 2%

As part of this year you will have to participate in research activities carried out by
postgraduate students in the department. We will provide more information in class.

4. Essay (10% of block mark)

ASSIGNMENT TOPIC/ESSAY QUESTION

Due Date: 23 April 2021 at 17h00

Essay Topic: Write a short essay on Chabani Manganyi highlighting his contributions
to South African Psychology.

Readings: You can make use of the class notes and the following three articles:

Cooper, S., & Nicholas, L. (2012). An overview of South African psychology.

International Journal of Psychology, 47(2), 89-101.

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Duncan, N., Stevens, G., & Bowman, B. (2006). South African psychology and racism:
Historical determinants and future prospects. In D. Hook (Ed.), Critical
Psychology (pp.360-388). Cape Town, South Africa: UCT Press.

Hayes, Grahame. (2016). Chabani Manganyi: Black intellectual and

psychologist. Psychology in Society, 52, 73-79. doi.org/10.17159/2309-
8708/2016/n52a5

PLUS one additional reading that you must find in the library /internet

Instructions:

1. Write a paragraph to introduce the topic and provide an overview of the structure
of the discussion to follow. Your introduction should begin by providing an
overarching aim for your paper. Your introduction may not be longer than 100
words.
2. In no more than 300-400 words, briefly describe the context of South African
psychology during the apartheid years. You can refer to the class notes and
articles in your reading pack
3. In no more than 500-600 words describe Manganyi’s work (his contributions to
the field of Psychology) in relation to the history of Psychology in South Africa’
why Manganyi remains a significant figure in South African Psychology, and why
his work is important for us to study.
4. After examining the information available to you conclude your discussion on the
topic in no more than 100 words.
5. A separate page listing all the references you have used in the course of
completing your assignment must be attached to the back of your essay. All
references must be in APA format and the title of the page must be “References”,
NOT bibliography.

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 ESSAY MARKING RUBRIC

Not
Adequately
Criterion/ Outcome Adequately Outstanding
Achieved
Achieved

Introduction and Aim of Essay (100 words)

South African Psychology and Apartheid (300-400 words)

Manganyi’s Contribution (500-600 words)

Conclusion (100 words)

Appropriate tone, style and quality (spelling, grammar)

of writing

Appropriate Use of Referencing Conventions

Overall Quality (Holistic Impression) of Essay

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 Reading 1
Cooper, S., & Nicholas, L. (2012). An overview of South African psychology.
International Journal of Psychology, 47(2), 89-101.

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 Reading 2
Duncan, N., Stevens, G., & Bowman, B. (2006). South African psychology and racism:
Historical determinants and future prospects. In D. Hook (Ed.), Critical
Psychology (pp. 360-388). Cape Town, South Africa: UCT Press.

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 Reading 3
Hayes, Grahame. (2016). Chabani Manganyi: Black intellectual and
psychologist. Psychology in Society, 52, 73-79. doi.org/10.17159/2309-
8708/2016/n52a5

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 Reading 4
Mkhize, N. (2006). Psychology: An African perspective. In D. Hook (Ed.), Critical
Psychology (pp. 24-50). Cape Town, South Africa: UCT Press.

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 Reading 5
Nwoye, A. (2015). What is African Psychology the psychology of? Theory &
Psychology, 25(1), 96–116. doi.org/10.1177/0959354314565116

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 Reading 6
Seedat, M., & MacKenzie, S. (2008). The triangulated development of South African
Psychology: Race, scientific racism and professionalization. In C. van Ommen &
D. Painter (Eds.), Interiors: A History of Psychology in South Africa (pp. 63-92).
Pretoria, South Africa: Unisa Press

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Women in Psychology

https://www.verywellmind.com/women-who-changed-psychology-2795260

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