Chapter 1

What is an Indigenous Psychology?

Introduction
Indigenous Psychology is the scientific study of the ethnicity, society and culture of a
people and the application to psychological practice of indigenous knowledge rooted in the
people’s ethnic heritage and consciousness. The changing social processes in a community
context are identified as ‘local knowledge’. It is believed to facilitate social change and is an
essential gatekeeper for empowering local communities. The process of internalizing local
knowledge is manifested in our everyday life, for example, adherence to the local customs and
celebration of localized practices. The ongoing local knowledge accumulation, and generating
new localized knowledge, may help to develop a sustained indigenous psychology (Shams,
2005).
Hence, indigenous psychology is important to understand each individual
behaviour which is deeply rooted in their socio-economic-political context. Indigenous
psychology helps us to understand diversity and differences, and provides a common
frame of reference for human behaviour across the globe.

Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, students are able to:
1. Define what is indigenization and indigenous psychology.
2. Describe and provide understanding on different concepts and origins of indigenous
psychologies.
3. Demonstrate the underlying theories and principles by introducing the father
of Sikolohiyang Pilipino, his contributions and its emergence.
4. Understand the basic concepts and principles in studying Sikolohiyang Pilipino.

Course Content
Cross-Cultural Psychology
What is cross-cultural psychology? It is a branch of psychology that also examines
cultural influences that affect thought processes and behavior. However, this branch of
psychology explores patterns between various cultures. It is more specific in nature than
cultural psychology.
 Cross-cultural psychology was first introduced during the 1970s, but remains a force
in modern psychology. The main function of a cross-cultural psychologist is to determine how
various cultures affect human behaviors. These psychologists examine universal and “unique”
characteristics and traits, in an effort to identify patterns amongst cultural groups. The goal is
to identify how culture impacts thought processes, behaviors, goals, social experiences,
educational and career aspirations, self-esteem/self-confidence, and relationships. Cross-
cultural psychologists are most concerned with how culture impacts individual personalities
and social behaviors.
In a sense, cross-cultural psychology is a more in-depth analysis of cultural patterns
and behaviors, than cultural psychology. For example, a cultural psychologist examines how
culture, in general, causes some people to be submissive, while it encourages others to be
more aggressive. A cross-cultural psychologist takes a deeper look into the phenomena by
investigating how traditional Asian women, in general, are more submissive than
modern American women. The cross-cultural psychologist researches the patterns (i.e.
similarities and differences) between the two cultures (i.e. personalities, behaviors,
thought processes, beliefs, feelings, opinions, traditions, etc.) in an effort to better
understand the human race.
Moreover, these psychologists invest large amounts of time and effort into learning
cultural and societal norms, so that they can better communicate with different cultural
groups. The hope is that learning about various cultures will help the human race better
understand each other.

Cultural Psychology
Cultural psychologists explore the general relationship between thought
processes, behaviors, and cultures. These psychologists investigate how cultural
influences affect the mind, and how the mind helps create cultural influences.
According to cultural psychologists, it is a cyclic process, in which the mind contributes to
cultural behaviors, traditions, beliefs, and those influences affect the mind. Cultural
psychology is the study of identity, child development, emotions, social
behavior/interactions, friendships/romantic relationships, and family dynamics. Cultural
psychologists believe that psychological disorders and behavioral tendencies originate, and
are influenced by cultural factors.
 The most significant difference between cultural psychology and cross-cultural
psychology is the specificity of detail in both branches of psychology. In other words, cultural
psychology takes a more general approach to culture, the mind, and the body. Cultural
psychologists study patterns in behaviors, and how culture, in general, influences those
behaviors, while cross-cultural psychologists study the patterns (i.e. similarities and
differences) amongst various cultural groups, and how those patterns affect behaviors.

Ethno Psychology
A discipline that studies the psychology and behavior of the people of a
particular ethnic community. The principal objects of study of ethnopsychology are
tribes, peoples, and nations, as well as specific population groups that are ethnically related,
such as groups of immigrants. Ethnopsychological research attempts to establish the relation
between the characteristics of the psyche of members of the communities being studied,
on the one hand, and the type of economic activity engaged in under specific natural
conditions and the character of nonmaterial culture (for example, traditions and religious
beliefs), on the other. For the most part, such research takes the form of empirical studies
and comparative descriptions.
Ethnopsychology, whose emergence was associated with the development of
ethnography and anthropology, initially turned to the reports of missionaries and travelers for
its data. W. Wundt, in his works on the psychology of peoples, made the first attempt at a
genuine psychological analysis of this material. Although he relied on the incorrect, idealist
premise that people has a special, substantive soul, he established the general cultural-
historical orientation of research in the field of ethnopsychology.
In many countries, particularly the USA, Freudian and neo-Freudian approaches to
ethnopsychology have gained currency. The development of ethnopsychology has been
influenced by research in related fields, especially linguistics and sociology. Linguists have
investigated the mode of thought of peoples who belong to different language groups.
Sociology has provided ethnopsychology with various research techniques, in particular,
techniques for studying small groups.
Ethnopsychology, which has not established the existence of any special
characteristics or features that allow one to speak of the superiority of some peoples to others,
has fostered criticism of nationalist and racist theories.
Volker Psychology
Volker psychology is a method of psychology that was discovered in the nineteenth
century by the famous psychologist, Wilhelm Wundt. Wundt is widely known for his work
with experimental psychology. Up until this time in history, psychologists were using
experiments as a source of researching information. Wilhelm thought that there must be a
different method for research and came up with the idea of Volker psychology.
Experimentation was too limited for studying individual consciousness, especially
with the application to mental processes, such as language. Wundt’s idea was that language
was distinguished among the collective human processes and since it seemed to be crucial to
the entire upper mental functions, those functions were concluded as exempt to experimental
research. All of this led to the design of Volker psychology, which Wundt created as a branch
of psychology which would work best for the use of historical and comparative methods
instead of experiments alone. Volker psychology comes from the German culture. To this
day, there is no clear English word that is similar to it. The derivative Volk, a German
word, refers to “people, nation, tribe, or race”. Wundt simply wanted to create a new way
to complete research without the use of experiments. This led him to discovering a new
type of psychology which dealt with the communal and cultural products of human nature,
which includes religions, languages, and mythologies.

Global Indigenous Psychology

Indigenous Psychology is an intellectual movement across the globe based on the
following factors:
1. A reaction against the colonization/hegemony of Western psychology.
2. The need for non-Western cultures to solve their local problems through
indigenous practices and applications.
3. The need for a non-Western culture to recognize itself in the constructs and
practices of psychology.
4. The need to use indigenous philosophies and concepts to generate theories of
global discourse.
 Psychology, like any other language game, is a living conversation, for which
translation is the key to the perpetuation and permutation of the discourse. As Western
psychology is translated into other cultures, the more we make sure that the influence is
going both ways, and the more we allow conflicting voices to inhabit the terms we use in
psychology, the more likely it is that alternative ways of doing psychological science will
emerge.
Thus, inherent in the Indigenous Psychology movement is a global surge of the
creative energy and potential in psychology, a movement that, if nurtured, will lead to a
very different psychology of tomorrow. The Division 32 Task Force on Indigenous
Psychology is established to facilitate this process of growth and transformation in
psychology at the global level. In particular, it reiterates the need to recognize the
legitimacy of all indigenous forms of knowledge and the ultimate benefit of global sharing
and collaboration. Dedicated to the promotion and advocacy of indigenous psychologies
across the globe, the task force will implement the following goals:
1. Making a mission statement or manifesto for indigenous psychology that is
congenial to the indigenous psychologies across the globe.
2. Dissemination of knowledge concerning indigenous psychology through
conferences, journals, and edited volumes.
3. Promoting online debates and exchanges across the globe on issues concerning
indigenous psychology.
4. Serving as resources, via our website, for the global community of indigenous
psychologists.

Indigenous Research Methods: Five Basic Guiding Principles

1. First, the level of interaction or relationship that exists between the researcher and the
researched significantly determines the quality of the data obtained in the research process.
The levels of interaction are the same ones as the kapwa classifications – Ibang-Tao
(‘‘Outsider’’) and Hindi-Ibang-Tao (‘‘One-of-us’’). It is recommended that the first
level under Hindi-Ibang-Tao, which is pakikipagpalagayang-loob (level of mutual trust,
understanding, rapport) should be reached, at the minimum, in order to be assured of good
quality data.
2. Second, research participants should always be treated by researchers as equal, if not
superior – a fellow human being and not like a ‘‘guinea pig’’ whose sole function is to
provide data. From this principle, certain behaviors on the part of the researcher are
prescribed. For example, in the method of pagtatanong-tanong (literally, ‘‘asking questions’’,
marked by casualness when in fact, the researcher is truly determined to get answers to his
questions), the research participants are free to ask the researcher as many questions as they
want, therefore acting much like a ‘‘researcher’’ themselves. These questions should be
accorded the same respect and not avoided.

3. Third, the welfare of the research participants take precedence over the data obtained from
them. The goal of research is understanding, but not at the expense of the very people from
whom this understanding will spring. The primary ethical responsibility of researchers should
be to the people and not to their institution or funding agency. For example, if the publication
of the research report will jeopardize the situation of the people, then it should not be
continued.

4. Fourth, the method to be used in a research should be chosen on the basis of

appropriateness to the population (and not sophistication of the method) and it should be
made to adapt to existing cultural norms. For example, having somebody else butt in in the
middle of an interview session is not something to be upset over; one should go through the
process of getting to know each other first informally before asking questions on topics that
are not that common to people. Researchers cannot expect people to adjust to the method;
the method should adjust to the people. And here is where pakikiramdam (sensitivity) is
most needed – in trying to figure out how the research method will work most effectively.
One essential ability that researchers must possess, whatever method they are using, is
pakikiramdam, a special kind of sensitivity to cues which will guide them in their interaction
with group members, especially with Filipinos who are used to indirect and non-verbal
manner of communicating and expressing thoughts, attitudes, feelings and emotions. It is
through pakikiramdam that a researcher will know when to ask personal questions and when
not to pursue them; when it is time to leave; or how to interpret a ‘‘yes’’ or a ‘‘no’’.
5. Fifth, the language of the people should be the language of research at all times. If this is
not possible, local researchers should be tapped for assistance. It is in their own mother
tongue that a person can truly express their innermost sentiments, ideas, perceptions, and
attitudes.

Types and Level of Indigenization

1. Linguistic
In this context, indigenization is used to refer to how a language is adopted
in a certain area such as French in Africa. The term is used to describe the process
of conveying a certain region’s culture and concepts in terms of the language that

is being introduced. A common case where a language needed to be indigenized

was in Africa where the ex-colonizer's language required some references to
African religion and culture, even though in the original language there was no
vocabulary for this.
As this process is being carried out, there is usually a metalanguage
created that is some combination of the original language and the introduced
language. This language shares cultural aspects from both cultures, making it
distinct and usually done in order to understand the foreign language in the
context of the local region. Sometimes the term indigenization is preferred
over other terms such as Africanization because it carries no negative
connotations and does not imply any underlying meaning.
2. Economic
Indigenization is seen as the process of changing someone to a person of
more validation towards their surroundings. A large part of that process is the
economy of said surroundings. Indigenization has played an important part in the

economic roles of society.

3. Social work
Another big part of indigenization is social work, although it is unknown

what the actual process is when social forces come into place. Indigenization is
 seen by some as less of a process of naturalization and more of a process of
culturally relevant social work. While indigenization was not the standard, it was
a way to not only accustom others to a surrounding point of view, but also helping
understand both where these people came from and also their heritage.

However, some argue that while the indigenization of social work may
work when it comes to foreigners being brought into Western cultures, it would
not work as well non-Western cultures were those that were being taken in. They
also argue that Western cultures seem to exaggerate the similarities and
differences between Western and foreign cultures.

4. Indigenization and Empowerment Act

The Indigenization and Economic Empowerment Act was passed
by Zimbabwe Parliament in 2008. It is a set of regulations meant to regulate
businesses, compelling foreign-owned firms to sell 51-percent of their business to
blacks over the following years. Five-year jail terms are assigned to foreigners
who do not submit an indigenization plan or use locals as fronts for their
businesses.
The intent of the law is to ensure the country’s black members fulfill a
more prominent role in the economy. Controversy rose over this intent, with
opponents stating that the law will scare away foreign investors. Indigenous
Zimbabweans are defined as "any person who, before the 18th April, 1980 [when
Zimbabwe gained independence from Britain], was disadvantaged by unfair
discrimination on the grounds of his or her race, and any descendant of such
person, and includes any company, association, syndicate or partnership of which
indigenous Zimbabweans form the majority of the members or hold the
controlling interest".
 Figure 1: Level of Indigenization
Current Trends and Directions
Nowadays people are using technologies mostly in all chores as it is a part of their
daily lives. Even a person is using cellular phones whenever and wherever he goes. People
cannot even leave the house without these technologies.
1. Bullying Awareness and Prevention
2. Healthy Intimate Relationship in College
College students are at a time in their lives when they are experiencing
great transition and may be making more decisions for themselves than they
ever have before. Sexually active college students may feel prepared to deal
with intimate relationships, but chances are many are not.
3. Violence Awareness and Prevention
Violence comes in many different forms. While violence is as old as
humankind, in modern times people have seen a rise in some specific kinds of
 violence. What are people doing to combat violence in today’s society, and
how can mental health professionals continue to advocate for violence
awareness and prevention?
Summary
Filipino Psychology is an Indigenous Psychology which focuses on ethnicity,
society and culture of people and the application to psychological practice of indigenous
knowledge rooted in the people’s ethnic heritage and consciousness.
Cross-cultural psychology is a branch of psychology that also examines cultural
influences that affect thought processes and behavior. However, this branch of
psychology explores patterns between various cultures. It is more specific in nature than
cultural psychology.
Ethno-psychology is the discipline that studies the psychology and behavior of the
people of a particular ethnic community.
Volker psychology is a method of psychology that was discovered in the nineteenth
century by the famous psychologist, Wilhelm Wundt. Wundt is widely known for his
work with experimental psychology.
Global indigenous psychology is an indigenous psychology of every country that is
need to recognize the legitimacy of all indigenous forms of knowledge and the ultimate
benefit of global sharing and collaboration.

Activities
I. Identification. Based on the given description, identify the specific concept which
is being asked in each item.
___________1. It is the scientific study of human behavior or mind that is native.
___________ 2. It aims to expand the number and variation of cultures that contribute to basic
psychological theories.
___________ 3. It is a branch of psychology that looks at how cultural factors influence
human behavior.
___________ 4. It is a method of psychology discovered by Wilhelm Wundt.
___________ 5. It is a discipline that studies the psychology and behavior of the people of a
particular ethnic community.
___________ 6. It is the process by which indigenous ways of knowing, being, doing and
relating are integrated into educational, organizational, cultural and social constructions.
___________ 7. The psychology born out of the involvement, thought, behaviors and
orientation of the Filipinos.
___________ 8. It is the study of the mind, how it works, and how it affects behavior.
___________ 9. A term referring to both the people and the language in the Philippines.
___________ 10. Another similar term for indigenous.

II. True or False. Write T if the statement is correct and F if it is false.

_______ 1. The main function of a cultural psychologist is to determine how various cultures
affect human behaviors.
_______ 2. Indigenization is seen as the process of changing someone to a person of more
validation towards their surroundings.
_______ 3. Wilhelm Wundt is widely known for his work in social psychology.
_______ 4. The level of interaction or relationship that exists between the researcher and the
researched significantly determines the quality of the data obtained in the research process.
_______ 5. Research participants should always be treated by researchers as equal.
_______ 6. Cross-cultural psychology was first introduced during the 1990s.
_______ 7. Volker psychology comes from the American culture.
_______ 8. Cultural psychologists believe that psychological disorders and behavioral
tendencies originate, and are influenced by cultural factors.
_______ 9. The principal objects of study of ethnopsychology are tribes, people and nations.
_______ 10. The word Volk refers to western culture and ideas.

Reference:
1. Enriquez, V.G. (1992). From Colonial to Liberation Psychology. Quezon City:
University of the Philippines Press.
2. Pe-Pua, R. & Marcelino, E. P. (2000). Sikolohiyang Pilipino (Filipino Psychology):
A legacy of Virgilio G. Enriquez. Asian Journal of Social Psychology 3: 49–71
[Link]
 CHAPTER II
Sikolohiyang Pilipino: Philippine Indigenous Psychology
Introduction
Filipino Psychology emerged and grew as part of the
nationalist indigenization movement in the Philippines that was formalized in 1975. Its
roots can be traced back to the introduction of the American education system in the
Philippines. Agustin Alonzo was among the first Filipino psychologists to return from
their education in America (in 1925) to teach at the College of Education in the
University of the Philippines. This team brought with them psychological knowledge
rooted in the American tradition of psychology. Western psychology is taught in schools
as universal and scientific despite being generally considered by some as insensitive and
inappropriate to Philippine culture. This hegemony of Western American Psychology is
referred to as Colonial Psychology.
It was only in the 1970s that a concerted effort to address colonial psychology in
the form of Filipino Psychology took place. Filipino Psychology, along with advances
in Filipinology and similarly History’s Pantayong Pananaw, was led by Virgilio
Enriquez, Prospero Covar, and Zeus A. Salazar in the indigenization movement of their
respective fields.
Enriquez returned from his studies to the Philippines in 1971, and established the
Philippine Psychology Research House (now Philippine Psychology Research and
Training House, PPRTH). In 1975, the very first annual national conference on Filipino
Psychology was held by the Pambansang Samahan sa Sikolohiyang Pilipino (PSSP)
marking the formalization of Filipino Psychology.

Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, students are able to:
1. Describe the early beginnings of Filipino psychology.
2. Explain the underlying theories and principles by introducing the father
of Sikolohiyang Pilipino, his contributions and its emergence.
3. Understand the basic concepts and principles in studying Sikolohiyang Pilipino.
4. Appreciate the contributions of Filipino Psychology in the field of social sciences.
Course Content
What is Sikolohiyang
Pilipino?
Filipino psychology (Sikolohiyang Pilipino in Filipino) is the scientific
study of psychology derived from the experience, ideas, and cultural orientation of
the Filipinos. Sikolohiyang Filipino is anchored on Filipino thought and
experience as understood from a Filipino perspective (Enriquez, 1975).
Virgilio G. Enriquez, considered the father of sikolohiyang Pilipino,
identified the following as the subject matter of this formal indigenous psychology
(Enriquez, 1974) (kamalayan) or consciousness, which includes both emotive and
cognitive experience; (ulirat) or awareness of one’ s immediate surroundings;
(isip) , which refers to knowledge and understanding; (diwa), which includes
habits and behavior; (kalooban) or emotions or feelings; and (kaluluwa) or
psyche, which translates to soul of a people.

Basic Tenets and Principles in Sikolohiyang Pilipino

Core value or Kapwa (shared inner self)
 Kapwa is the core construct of Filipino Psychology. Kapwa
has two categories, Ibang Tao and Hindi Ibang Tao.
 Ibang Tao ("outsider") There are five interaction levels under this category:
o Pakikitungo: civility - right behavior meant right demeanor towards
authorities (Parents, Elders, etc.).
o Pakikisalamuha: act of mixing - This is a social value that is
primarily communitarian. It espouses the ability to adapt.
o Pakikilahok: act of joining - This translates to participation of the
entire community to help a person.
o Pakikibagay: conformity - This runs into conflict with individuality
which many Filipinos in fact willingly throw away in favor of conformity
with demands of those who are in charge.
o Pakikisama: being united with the group.

 Hindi Ibang Tao ("one-of-us") There are three interaction levels under this
category:
 o Pakikipagpalagayang-loob: act of mutual trust
o Pakikisangkot: act of joining others
o Pakikipagkaisa: being one with others

Pivotal Interpersonal Value

 Pakiramdam: Shared inner perceptions. Filipinos use damdam, or the inner
perception of others' emotions, as a basic tool to guide their dealings with other
people.

Linking socio-personal value

 Kagandahang-Loob: Shared humanity. This refers to being able to help
other people in dire need due to a perception of being together as a part of one
Filipino humanity.

Accommodative surface values

 Hiya: Loosely translated as 'shyness' by most Western psychologists, Hiya
is actually 'sense of propriety'.
 Utang na loob: Norm of reciprocity. Filipinos are expected by their
neighbors to return favors—whether these were asked for or not—when it is
needed or wanted.
 Pakikisama and Pakikipagkapwa: Smooth Interpersonal Relationship, or
SIR, as coined by Lynch (1961 and 1973). This attitude is primarily guided by
conformity with the majority.

Confrontative surface values

 Bahala_na: Bahala Na translates literally as "leave it up to God (Bathala)"
and it is used as an expression, almost universally, in Filipino culture. Filipinos
engage in the bahala na attitude as a culture-influenced adaptive coping
strategy when faced with challenging situations.
 Lakas ng loob: This attitude is characterized by being courageous in the
midst of problems and uncertainties.
 Pakikibaka: Literally in English, it means concurrent clashes. It refers to
the ability of the Filipino to undertake revolutions and uprisings against a
 common enemy.

Societal values
 Karangalan: Loosely translated to dignity, this actually refers to what other
people see in a person and how they use that information to make a stand or
judge about his/her worth.
o Puri: the external aspect of dignity. May refer to how other people
judge a person of his/her worth. This compels a common Filipino to
conform to social norms, regardless how obsolete they are.
o Dangal: the internal aspect of dignity. May refer to how a person
judges his own worth.
 Katarungan: Loosely translated to justice, this actually refers to equity in
giving rewards to a person.
 Kalayaan: Freedom and mobility. Ironically, this may clash with the less
important value of pakikisama or pakikibagay (conformity).

Philippine Psychology and Psychology in the Philippines

Psychology as an academic discipline in the Philippines started in the early
1900s when the U.S. colonized the country. Scientifically, it was generally viewed
as a continuation of the development of psychology in the West. In the early
1970s, however, there came a turning point in the lives of Filipinos. It was a period
marked by a high degree of nationalism, brought about by the declaration of the
Martial Law. It was ironic that the father of Philippine Psychology was, at that
time, a recent Ph.D. graduate of Northwestern University in the U.S.
It was precisely his Western education that made Sikolohiyang Pilipino
founder Virgilio Enriquez realize the need to have a psychology based on the
experience, ideas, and orientation of the Filipinos. Together with three other
colleagues—Prospero Covar (anthropologist), and Zeus Salazar (historian), and
Alfredo Lagmay (psychologist)—they helped establish the foundation for a
psychology of and for the Filipinos. Enriquez had been a professor of Psychology
in the University of the Philippines in Diliman in 1963, but left in 1966 for the
U.S. to pursue a Ph.D. in Social Psychology. From there, he watched the
disenchantment of young student activists in the Philippines over the deteriorating
political and social conditions of the country.
When Enriquez returned to the Philippines in 1971, he embarked on a
research study with Lagmay into the historical and cultural roots of Philippine
Psychology, which included identifying indigenous concepts and approaches. Four
years later, he chaired the first national conference on Filipino Psychology. In this
conference, the ideas, concepts, and formulations of Sikolohiyang Pilipino were
formally articulated.

Sikolohiyang Pilipino in the University of the Philippines

When Enriquez returned from the States, he and a few other colleagues
translated foreign articles to Filipino. The students were also strongly encouraged
to write their papers in this language instead of in English, which had been (and
still is) the medium of instruction in the University
Gradually, more and more members of the faculty were convinced to use
the Filipino language in teaching Introductory Psychology. The main problems
they encountered in the use of Filipino in teaching psychology, especially in its
initial years, included the lack of materials written in Filipino and the lack of a
technical vocabulary.
These challenges were solved by translations, compilations of local
materials, and choosing the appropriate words from the local dialect. There were
times when the technical term was retained when there was no equivalent in
Filipino. This did not work out because Enriquez realized that the translation failed
to express a truly Filipino psychology. Other factors were the difficulty of
expressing or explaining some Western concepts and theories in Filipino, the
negative reactions of students who sometimes felt that their skill in speaking and
writing in Filipino was inadequate, and the students’ lack of fluency in the
language.
However, there were observable benefits as well brought about by the use
of Filipino in teaching psychology. Among other things:
 It created better rapport between teacher and students
 There was a more relaxed atmosphere in the classroom
 The students’ confidence grew in expressing their opinions,
thoughts, and actual experiences
 A different perspective, which was more Filipino, was introduced
 into the course
 Indigenous concepts were discovered; and
 The scope of topics discussed became broader with the addition of
information from local materials and experiences.
Class discussions also became more concrete in relation to Philippine
reality. Psychology became related intimately and significantly to the everyday life
of the people. Most importantly, with the birth of Sikolohiyang Pilipino, a
psychology with a Filipino orientation was developed.

History of Sikolohiyang Pilipino

From the beginning of the periods when the Philippines was colonized by
Spain, and then USA, academic psychology, or the psychology taught in schools,
was predominantly Western in theory and in methodology. This Western
Psychology was even used by our famous Jose Rizal and Apolinario Mabini was
then express dissatisfaction at the disapproving interpretations of Filipino
behavior.
In the 1960s, many Filipino scholars and intellectuals were already
sensitive to both inadequacy as well as the unfairness of the Western-oriented
approaches to psychology. But there was no concerted effort in the 1960s to reject
and correct the traditional way of teaching and studying psychology. It was in
early 1970s that this was initiated when Virgilio Gaspar Enriquez returned to the
Philippines from North Western University, USA with a PhD. in Social
Psychology and lost no time in introducing the concept of Sikolohiyang Filipino
(Filipino Psychology). Together with then-chairman of the Department of
Psychology at the University of the Philippines, Dr. Alfredo V. Lagmay, Enriquez
embarked on a research in to the historical and cultural roots of Philippine
Psychology.
Subsequently, the research included identifying indigenous concepts and
approaches in Philippine psychology and developing creativity and inventiveness
among Filipinos. From these researches, a two-volume bibliography on Filipino
Psychology and a locally developed personality test, Panukat ng Ugali at
Pagkatao (Measure of Character and Personality), were produced. In 1975,
Enriquez chaired the Unang Pambansang Kumperensya sa Sikolohiyang Filipino
(First National Conference on Filipino Psychology) which was held at the
Abelardo Auditorium at U.P. In this conference, the ideas, concepts, and
formulations of Sikolohiyang Pilipino were formally articulated.

Four Filiations of Sikolohiyang Pilipino

Zeus Salazar (1985), a historian, later examined the history of
Sikolohiyang Pilipino and came up with a description of the four filiations of
Philippine psychology:
a. The Academic-scientific psychology: the Western
- Wilhelm Wundt, this coincide with the birth of
scientific psychology the (German tradition) in 1876,
and the entry of Western psychology (mainly
American tradition) at the University of the
Philippines (1908) and other schools.
b. The Academic-philosophical psychology: the Western (mainly clerical)
- This was pursued by the University of Sto. Tomas
and later other schools of higher learning, under the
leadership of individual monks and preachers and
Jesuits. The study of psychology as an aspect of
philosophy continued in the tradition of Thomasic
philosophy and psychology.
c. Ethnic psychology:
 Indigenous psychology: kinagisnan and katutubong 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 of Filipinos - perceived ethnic traits, as observed by
foreigners or as felt and expressed by Filipinos.
- 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.
 The practice of psychology by Filipinos – techniques of
 enculturation, socialization.
- based on mainly Western system of thought
- e.g. Spanish: Pigafetta’s quite objective
observation of the Filipinos in the Visayas
(impressed by them); American: Worcester’s view
of the Filipinos as distinct ethnic groups different
from one another as Christian and non-Christian
(pagans and Moros).
d. Psycho-medical: Religion - cohesive element and explanation.
- (1565) Babaylan or Catalonan techniques of
healing; disease theory, causation, therapy.
- (1650) Messianic movements
- (1730) Herbolaryo
- (1900) Espiritista

Sikolohiyang Pilipino and Philippine Social Sciences

(Agham-tao; Pilipinolohiya at Pantayong Pananaw)
Filipino Psychology
It 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.

Philippine Social Sciences: What is Philippine Social Science?

The Philippine Social Science Council is a non-governmental organization
which aims to support social scientists in the Philippines to increase the impact of
their work and to connect with other scholars. At its establishment in 1963, the
Philippine Social Science Council recognized 13 social science disciplines.
namely, history, anthropology, economics, political science, psychology,
sociology, demography, linguistics, statistics, geography, mass communication,
public administration and social work.
How social science started in the Philippines
The Philippine social sciences emerged as specialized disciplines with the
establishment of academic departments in the early American colonial period.
Patterned after American universities, the social science departments in the
country were created in different years.

 Anthropology
 Economics
 Political Sciences
 Psychology
 Sociology

Pilipinolohiya - Filipinology (Prospero Covar)

In general, Filipinology or Philippineology (Spanish: Filipinología)

(Tagalog: Pilipinolohiya) or more formally known as Philippine Studies refers to: the
study of the Philippines and its people. It encompasses the study of Philippine
history, Philippine culture, Philippine languages, Philippine society, Philippine
life, Philippine psyche or Philippine psychology, Philippine politics, and Philippine
government. The approaches or perspectives of Philippine Studies could be theoretical,
interdisciplinary, comparative, transnational, and global. Filipinology was developed in
the University of the Philippines Diliman and had become part of curricula in some
colleges and universities inside and outside the Philippines.

Belinda A. Aquino, former director of the Center for Philippines Studies at

the University of Hawaii at Manoa, define Philippines Studies as “studies of
Philippine culture and society, which started in the early 1900s when the
Philippines became a colony of the United States. It encompasses the following
study:
 Filipino History
 Filipino Culture
 Philippine Languages
 Filipino Society
 Filipino Life
 Filipino Psychology
Apart from providing education and awareness about the Philippines,
Filipinology aims to make students of Philippine Studies aware of Filipino ethnic
identity by experiencing Philippine culture. It includes
 a. the systematic study of Filipino psyche, culture, and society using the terms and
categories of thought of the culture
b. includes the study of Filipino languages, art forms, literature, philosophy and religion
c. psyche, culture, and society are all studied in order to show the Filipino-ness or pagka-
Pilipino of each field, where all of them are woven and crafted by the Filipinos
d. “study of the world of Filipinos, of being Filipinos, and the different ways of being
Filipino”

Pantayong Pananaw (The “We” Perspective) – Zeus Salazar

It is defined as a method of acknowledging the history and development of
the nation based on the “internal interconnectedness and linking of characteristics,
values, knowledge, wisdom, aspirations, practices, behaviors and experiences as a
unified whole is a unity that is framed by and expressed in a single language; that
is, within an autonomous, self-directed discourse of progress and civilization. This
is a reality within any ethno-linguistic group, among us or anywhere in the world,
with a singular wholeness and identity.
The term pantayo was derived from the root word tayo which means we the
plural form of the first person pronoun and the prefix pan-which means for.

Agham -Tao (Anthropology)

Anthropology is the scientific study of humans, human behavior and
societies in the past and present. Social anthropology studies patterns of behaviour
and cultural anthropology studies cultural meaning, including norms and values.
Linguistic anthropology studies how language influences social life. Biological or
physical anthropology studies the biological development of humans.

Activities

I. From the box below, find the correct term which corresponds to description in each item.

Anthropology Kapwa Bahala na

Sikolohiyang Pilipino Pilipinohiya ulirat
Pakiramdam Prospero Covar utang na loob kagandahang loob
___________ 1. the study of human societies and cultures and their development.
___________ 2. It is the study of Philippines’ geographic features, material and non-materil
culture, government and its people.
___________ 3. It refers to shared humanity.
___________ 4. It is the core construct of Filipino Psychology.
___________ 5. Filipinos often manifest this value of leaving everything to God when faced
with difficult situations.
___________ 6. Norm of reciprocity.
___________ 7. This study is anchored on Filipino thought and experience as understood
from a Filipino perspective.
____________ 8. He is a famous anthropologist who contributed in the development of
Sikolohiyang Pilipino.
____________ 9. Shared inner perceptions.
____________ 10. Awareness of one’s immediate surroundings.

II. Concept Mapping. Following the given example, create a concept map to clearly
represent the basic principles and elements of Filipino Psychology.

III. Make a detailed timeline showing the history, development and proponents of
Filipino Psychology.
Reference:
1. Enriquez, V.G. (1992). From Colonial to Liberation Psychology. Quezon
City: University of the Philippines Press.
2. Pe-Pua, R. & Marcelino, E. P. (2000). Sikolohiyang Pilipino (Filipino
Psychology): A legacy of Virgilio G. Enriquez. Asian Journal of Social
Psychology 3: 49–71
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