Understanding Filipino Psychology

What are the distinctions between the different forms of Psychology in the Philippines?

Sikolohiyang Pilipino can be explained through a metaphor: (a characteristic way of clarifying concepts) – difference between tao sa bahay (person in the house) and taong-bahay (house person).

Psychology: the Western tradition Academic-scientific psychology: Wilhelm Wundt, the German tradition University of the Philippines (1908) and other American traditional schools.

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).

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.

Psychology: the Filipino tradition Ethnic psychology Psychology of Filipinos- 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).

Practice of psychology by Filipinos: indigenous techniques of enculturation/ socialization, e.g. myths for social control, or as affected by Christianity or Islam.

Psycho-medical system: religion as cohesive element and explanation. (1565) Babaylan or Catalonan techniques of healing; disease theory, causation, therapy.

Filipino Language use as a tool for identifying/rediscovering indigenous concepts e.g. study of diwa (psyche), refers to the wealth of ideas implied by the philosophical concept of “essence”.

Language provided the instrument to refine the tools of research so as to discover categories and subcategories which would be lost to a Western English-speaking researcher…