2025 CONGRESS CALL

“Psychology in Society and Society in Psychology”

Considering psychology’s focus on human behaviour, cognition and emotion, it has a fundamental duty to enhance the mental wellbeing of individuals, families, and communities. This encompasses assessments, diagnosis and treatment of psychological problems that impact on the emotions, behaviours and cognitions of individuals as they function and relate to others in society. At the heart of psychology is the promotion of psychological wellbeing, social responsibility, social justice, and community empowerment. Inevitably, this means that psychology must make a positive impact on society since what happens in society must be relevant for teaching, practice and research in psychology. The Psychological Society of South Africa (PsySSA) is committed to the societal impact of psychology and titled the Annual South African Psychology Congress 2025: “Psychology in Society and Society in Psychology”.

Psychology in society involves the scientific study of how citizens’ thoughts, feelings and behaviours are influenced by fellow citizens as well as society’s leadership. Among the societal responsibilities are mutual respect and empathy and the celebration of all forms of diversity. Challenging discrimination and oppression should be a priority for psychology, considering the social justice and mental health imperatives. Additionally, the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence presents unique opportunities and challenges for psychology, particularly in understanding human-technology interaction and its implications for mental health and societal dynamics.

Society in psychology is understood as a network of social relationships, customs, and traditions that contribute to how people interact with each other and how they live their lives. This is reflective across disciplines such as education, politics, anthropology, economics, the healthcare disciplines, and others. The many social ills that exist in society, such as crime, gender and community-based violence, poverty, and the abuse and neglect of children are just some of the problems affecting the nation. Psychology must be geared to meet these social challenges if it intends to be socially and contextually relevant in promoting psychological wellbeing.

Against this background, the PsySSA Annual South African Psychology Congress 2025 will be hosted at the Durban ICC from 14 to 16 October 2025. The Congress Committee welcomes presentations that focus on the congress theme and general areas of relevance to psychology. Submissions of scholarly and practice-oriented presentations, research posters and symposia are invited. The congress will showcase how the discipline can make a positive societal impact in promoting individual and collective mental health and wellbeing.

PsySSA looks forward to receiving your submissions and to your participation in this important annual event.