Advances in Psychological Assessment in South Africa

Advances in Psychological Assessment in South Africa provides a detailed, practical and critical appraisal of the evolution of psychological testing since the publication of Psychological Assessment in South Africa: Research and Applications (2013). Editors Laher and Cockcroft once again bring together practitioners and researchers to explore new tools and methods used to evaluate mental processes and behaviours in South Africa’s unique and diverse contexts.The book covers a wide range of psychological domains, including cognitive abilities, personality traits, vocational interests and neuropsychological functions. It examines established testing methods while introducing innovative approaches, technology-driven tools and artificial intelligence-based assessments. These advancements allow for more efficient, accurate, and accessible testing, which is critical given the varied educational, cultural and linguistic backgrounds of South Africans.The country’s diversity presents both opportunities and challenges for psychological assessment. Tests must be relevant to local languages, cultures, and social realities to ensure fairness and accuracy. The book highlights efforts to develop and refine tests that reflect these needs, addressing practical issues like accessibility and ethical concerns in the aftermath of apartheid.Written for practitioners, researchers, educators, and students, the book serves as both a reflection on progress and a guide for the future. It showcases how far South Africa has come in creating reliable, culturally sensitive assessments and points to emerging trends, like the integration of Artificial Intelligence to personalise and streamline testing processes. This makes it a valuable resource for those within and beyond South Africa who are interested in understanding how psychological tools can be applied in diverse settings.

Sumaya Laher is a professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. Kate Cockcroft is a professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. Zaytoon Amod is Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. Justin August is Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology of Education at the University of South Africa Katherine Bain is a clinical psychologist and Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. Nabeelah Bemath is a research psychologist and a lecturer in the Department of Psychology at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.  Sahba Besharati is a neuropsychologist and social-affective neuroscientist. She is the co-founder and joint director of the University of the Witwatersrand’s Neuroscience Research Laboratory (Wits NeuRL). Pieter Bronkhorst is a registered I/O Psychologist and Adjunct Professor at the University of the Western Cape. He is the author of The Architecture of High-Performance Companies (2010).  Amanda Cromhout is a post-doctoral fellow in the Faculty for Community and Health Sciences at the University of the Western Cape. Irma Eloff is a professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Pretoria and an educational psychologist. Kevin Distiller is a registered industrial psychologist and is Managing Director of Odyssey Talent Management.  Aline Ferreira-Correia is Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.  Tharina Guse is a counselling psychologist and Professor of Psychology at the University of Pretoria.  Tasneem Hassem is a research psychologist and a lecturer in the Psychology Department in the School of Human and Community Development at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. Carin Hill is an industrial psychologist and Professor in the Department of Industrial Psychology and People Management at the University of Johannesburg.  Nicky Israel is a senior lecturer in the Department of Psychology at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.  Anwynne Kern is an educational psychologist and a lecturer in the Department of Psychology at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.  Thalia Kritharis is completing her Master of Arts in Social and Psychological Research at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.  Kobus Maree is a professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Pretoria. Simangele Mayisela is an educational psychologist and Senior Lecturer in the Department of Psychology at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. Ahmed Riaz Mohamed is a lecturer and clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychology at the University of Pretoria.  Kgabe Molepo is a clinical psychologist and Associate Lecturer in the Psychology Department at the University of t