Things Fall Apart? Psychological Theory in the Context of Rapid Social Change

Abstract

It is argued that a number of discontinuities occur when psychology is practised in an environment different from that out of which it emerged – when it moves from the First World into the Third. In the words of Achebe ‘Things fall apart.’ These dislocations stem from the frequent failure to articulate the relationship between individual and social change. Two causes for this failure are explored: the absence of constructs in most models of psychology for dealing with the process of change, and difficulties in defining the construct of culture. An adequate psychological theory of behaviour in the context of social change must explicate the relationship between the individual and society in terms of social action. A theoretical framework that specifies this relationship, and which provides a context for understanding behaviour in the context of rapid social change is proposed. It is based on a conception of humans as self-reflexive beings and a definition of culture as a set of control mechanisms. It also draws on the advances made by the Soviet socio-historical school of psychology. The analysis is concluded with an interpretation of Achebe's novel, based upon the proposed theoretical framework.