Filipino Psychology

Julie-Ann Uy, RSW

Filipino psychologyor Sikolohiyang Pilipino

Filipino Psychology

refers to a psychology based on the Filipino’s true thoughts, feelings, behaviors and must derive from indigenous Filipino sources, language, and methods.

nilalayong anyo, sikolohiyang bunga ng karanasan, kaisipan at oryentasyong Pilipino

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 EnriquezFather 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.

Psychology of Filipinos - perceived ethnic traits, as observed by foreigners or as felt and expressed by Filipinos.

The practice of psychology by Filipinos – techniques of enculturation, socialization.

Psychology: the Filipino tradition

Ethnic psychology

Kinagisnang sikolohiyathe 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 sikolohiyapsychology 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)

concerned with folk practices, indigenous techniques of healing, popular religio-political movements

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

‘‘gratitude/solidarity’’ Pakikisama vs. pakikipagkapwa.

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 in Filipino a 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: civilityPakikisalamuha: act of mixingPakikilahok: act of joiningPakikibagay: conformityPakikisama: 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 othersPakikipagkaisa: being one with

others

Other explored ideas:

Indirect communicationThe great cultural divideDevelopment 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

Thank you.We may not change the world, but surely, little by

little, we can make a difference.-jmuy