The Future of Psychology 263coloniality of knowledge and the coloniality of being (Ndlovu-Gatsheni
2014) and the ways in which these forms of power persist in contemporary
life. A critical perspective for psychology would be not only to critically
evaluate the discipline itself, but also, to critically analyse how these forms
of power manifest themselves in everyday human relations.
POWER IN EVERYDAY CONTEXTS
For psychology to remain relevant and advance our understandings of
human thought and behaviour, we need to foreground a critique of power
within the discipline and within society. Power in this chapter refers to the
processes through which individuals and groups are able to control and/or
exert authority over others. Such processes are far from straightforward
and involve a combination of material, symbolic, and psychological
factors.
These factors range from direct forms of physical violence to more
subtle forms of coercion or manipulation as manifestations of global
coloniality.
Material Power
Material power in everyday contexts refers to access to economic and
structural resources, such as education, employment & income, housing,
transport, healthcare, the law, and protection from the police. In urban
settings, people living in houses in the suburbs, for example, are at lower
risk of fires and floods, which are common occurrences in townships or
informal settlements that in turn impact on health and safety (van Niekerk
2010).
Good public transport systems facilitate access to work and schools
and having a car is a safer mode of transport in some contexts, particularly
after dark. Access to material resources positions individuals and groups in
unequal social standings which impact on many aspects of their individual