Deconstruct, Reconstruct, Decolonise - Decolonisation of Knowledge/Reality

The concept of decolonization has gained momentum in academic circles as a means of addressing the historical injustices and contemporary inequalities perpetuated by colonization. The aim is to conduct a meta-analysis on studies conducted in the fields of Social and Political Sciences under the keywords “Decolonisation of Psychology” and “Decolonisation of Knowledge”. The basis of the study are to explore the need for methodological changes in the fields of (Peace) Psychology, as well as the importance of considering privilege positions, aspects of decolonization, and differences between the Global North and Global South. We propose to examine how decolonization can contribute to the empowerment of underprivileged researchers, positively impact the field, and challenge existing power structures. We also wish to explore the relationship between peace and power, and how perpetuating power relations are often overlooked in the pursuit of peace, a term which in itself is sourced from the perspective of the Western privileged narratives. It is of interest to us to understand why most of the research in the field of decolonisation stems from the need of those underprivileged and not the privileged. More than other social sciences, psychology offers theories and methods as objectivities upon subjectivities as individuals. A few of the existent criterion in psychology is realised in constructivism, however this perspective has not yet been applied to their own scientific productions. How the perception of reality is rooted in psychology and influenced by culture which can be used to justify systems of oppression. We question whether privileged researchers understand the impact of their own frames of scientific knowledge on underprivileged researchers and how they create the standards of what is considered “scientific”. In this sense, the construction of our realities are not only subjective, but inherently a product of colonisation, as those in positions of power often create the templates under which all kinds of diversities are molded and hence violated. It is pertinent to address who these meaning-makers are and how they benefit from creating objectivities out of such idiosyncratic realities. Finally, we discuss how this colonisation of reality contributes to the endurance of systemic justification. In conversations of Peace, it is essential to not only understand but also incorporate deconial perspectives and voices, as it will help redefine the very essence of their meanings. Overall, the study hypotheses to highlight the importance for dismantling our existing paradigms and to question not only their existence but also the enforcement of such knowledge constructs which are based in and from the exploitation of minority and enslaved cultures. As this is an ongoing research, the results are still pending.