Filipino Psychology

Julie-Ann Uy, RSW

Filipino psychology or Sikolohiyang Pilipino

Filipino Psychology refers to a psychology based on the Filipinos true thoughts, feelings, behaviors and must derive from indigenous Filipino sources, language, and methods. nilalayong anyo, sikolohiyang kaisipan at oryentasyong Pilipino bunga ng karanasan,

Beginnings

Colonized by Spain and USA Academic psychology was predominantly western in theory and methodologies Even Rizal and Mabini expressed dissatisfaction at the pejorative interpretations of Filipino behavior by western observers.

Example: Indirectness of Filipino

In 1970s, Change was initiated by Virgilio ENriquez

Virgilio Enriquez
Father of Sikolohiyang Pilipino

Born in Bulacan on November 24, 1942 Died on August 31, 1994 Obtained his Ph.D in Social Psychology from Northwestern University, USA To gether with Dr. Alfredo V. Lagmay, they embarked on research into historical and cultural roots of Philippine Psychology. In 1975, chaired the First National Conference on Filipino Psychology

Lines of filiations in Philippine psychological thought

Academic-scientific

psychology: Western Academic-philosophical psychology: Clergy Ethnic psychology: Indigenous psychology Psycho-medical system: Religion - cohesive element and explanation.

Psychology: the Western tradition

Academic-scientific psychology: Wilhelm Wundt, the German tradition University of the Philippines (1908) and other American traditional schools
Academic-philosophical psychology: Thomistic philosophy and psychology University of Santo Tomas (1611)

Ethnic psychology Native psychological thought

Indigenous

psychology: kinagisnan and katutubong sikolohiya. of Filipinos - perceived ethnic traits, as observed by foreigners or as felt and expressed by Filipinos. practice of psychology by Filipinos techniques of enculturation, socialization.

Psychology

The

Psychology: the Filipino tradition

Ethnic psychology
Kinagisnang

sikolohiya the subconscious psychology imbedded in the native language, art, music, culture and religion (one has been born into; unaware). e.g. kaluluwa at ginhawa

Psychology: the Filipino tradition

Ethnic psychology

Katutubong sikolohiya psychology worked out by Filipinos with indigenous elements as basis (innate to the Filipino) e.g. Kartilya of the Katipunan, Jose Rizal, Hermano Pule, Isabelo de los Reyes. Katutubong sikolohiya and Kinagisnang sikolohiya constitute Katutubong sikolohiya

Psychology: the Filipino tradition

Ethnic psychology

Practice of psychology by Filipinos: a. indigenous techniques of enculturation/ socialization, e.g. myths for social control, or as affected by Christianity or Islam. b. proto-clinical practice, e.g. tagapayo, manghuhula, ancient techniques of group therapy that are still present (alternating chants during wakes, poetry, consensus).

Primary areas of protests of Sikolohiyang Pilipino

It is against a psychology that perpetuates the colonial status of the Filipino mind a psychology used for the exploitation of the masses the imposition of psychologies developed in foreign countries

Positions of Sikolohiyang Pilipino

On psychological practice
conceptualization

of psychological practice in a Philippine context (industriya vs. kabuhayan; klinika vs. kalusugan) with folk practices, indigenous techniques of healing, popular religiopolitical movements

concerned

Positions of Sikolohiyang Pilipino

On Science Humanism issue

utilizes scientific methodology in the study of psychological phenomena concerned not only with the universal validity of psychological science but also in utilizing such for the purpose of serving the interest of all mankind, affording protection to the disadvantaged

Positions of Sikolohiyang Pilipino

On Mentalism - Behaviorism issue
uses both phenomenological & behavioristic concepts, but lesser emphasis on individual experience and greater emphasis on the collective experience

attaches greater importance to kamalayan, subsidiary importance to ulirat

Positions of Sikolohiyang Pilipino

On Analysis Wholeness Issue
methodologically

leans on the side of analysis but interprets the result of analysis with a bias for wholeness (social context, political implications, cultural meaning of the study)

Rethinking Filipino Values

Bahala Na. bahala na is not fatalism but determination and risk-taking Hiya.

is not shame but sense of propriety.

Utang

na loob
vs. pakikipagkapwa.

gratitude/solidarity
Pakikisama

Pakikisama- smooth interpersonal relations

Pakikipagkapwa
Pakikipagkapwa
which

means treating the other person as kapwa or fellow human being

Kapwa, a core concept in Filipino Psychology

Concept

of kapwa (shared identity) Kapwa (English: both, fellow being, others)

others

is used in opposition to the self implies the recognition of the self self as a separate identity
Kapwa
a

in Filipino

recognition of shared identity an inner self shared with others the ako (ego) and the iba sa akin (others) are one and the same in kapwa psychology

Kapwa, a core concept in Filipino Psychology

Pakikitungo, pakikipagkapwa are mutually replaceable in taxonomic analysis, either covers the entire lexical domain. Pakikipagkapwa, more theoretically fertile concept when analyzed semantically; much deeper and profound in its implications as it means accepting and dealing with the other person as an equal.

There are two categories of kapwa:

the

Ibang-Tao (outsider)

the Hindi-Ibang-Tao (one-of-us)

The Ibang-Tao (outsider)

There

are five domains in this construct: Pakikitungo: civility Pakikisalamuha: act of mixing Pakikilahok: act of joining Pakikibagay: conformity Pakikisama: being united with the group.

The Hindi Ibang Tao ("one-of-us)

There

are three domains in this construct: Pakikipagpalagayang-loob: act of mutual trust Pakikisangkot: act of joining others Pakikipagkaisa: being one with others

Other explored ideas:

Indirect communication The great cultural divide Development of Indigenous Personality Measures

Other areas of applications

1. Techniques in therapy suited to the Filipino person 2. Psychological help to Children in especially difficult circumstance Feminist psychology Industry, particularly in marketing of specific products and consumer behavior Non-government organizations in community education particularly in grassroots leadership formation

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1467-839X.00054/pdf

We may not change the world, but surely, little by little, we can make a difference.-jmuy

Thank you.