Reflections on the Local and the Global in Psychology: Innovation, Liberation and Testimonio*

Authors

Terri M. Baker, University of PretoriaFollow

Abstract

This paper presents some reflections on the process of creating research, from the point of view of a psychologist working in an academic environment in a developing country which is undergoing social transformation. It explores some tensions between global and local concerns in research, and reflects on the relation between research, art, narration, and the person of the researcher. The ideas presented are based on the personal reflections of the author after developing a methodology for a qualitative research project. The aim is to open up areas of inquiry into the process of constructing research, rather than providing final answers, thus honouring the postmodern assumptions that are tentatively put forward as vehicle of innovation in research in a global psychology.

Keywords

Local, Global, Psychology, Testimonio, and Postmodern

Acknowledgements

An earlier version of this paper was presented at the 115th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, San Francisco, CA, USA, August 17-20, 2007. In R. A. Young & G. B. Stead (Chairs), Research for a Global Psychology - Methods and Issues.

Publication Date

6-1-2009

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

DOI

10.46743/2160-3715/2009.1380

Recommended APA Citation

Baker, T. M. (2009). Reflections on the Local and the Global in Psychology: Innovation, Liberation and Testimonio*. The Qualitative Report, 14(2), 201-226. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2009.1380