Friday 24 July 14:05
- 15:35
Hall: 06 - Arco
Chair:
Padakannaya Prakash
Co-Chair:
Leybina Anna
Discussant:
Han Buxin
Division: Division 11: Political Psychology
The contemporary world is marked by rapid geopolitical, technological, and social transformations that directly affect the epistemology and practice of psychology. Traditional boundaries of psychological inquiry are increasingly blurred, as global challenges such as inequality, conflict, technological disruption, and shifting international alliances reshape both the conditions of human life and the contexts of psychological research. This symposium explores how psychology can respond to these changes by integrating diverse perspectives from across regions and traditions.
The presentations examine multiple dimensions of psychology's evolving role in a geopolitically dynamic world. Contributions from Africa and South Asia highlight psychology's entanglement with colonial histories, its complicity in systemic inequalities, and the urgent need for decolonial, liberation-oriented approaches. Other perspectives emphasize psychology's responsibility to address international cooperation, sustainable development, challenges, and emerging global identities such as those embodied by the Global South. Presentations from China and India also suggest reexamining the contemporary theories of self and identity. Finally, a unifying call is made to move beyond fragmentation toward dialogue and cooperation, ensuring that psychology can guide humanity through this period of uncertainty and transformation. By bringing together insights from Indonesia, Nigeria, South Africa, India, and Russia, the symposium underscores that psychology must not only adapt to rapid change but also play an active role in shaping a more just, inclusive, and progressive global future.
