PSYCHOLOGY IN THE THIRD WORLD CHINA AND PAKISTAN

PSYCHOLOGY IN THE THIRD WORLD

CHINA AND PAKISTAN

As mentioned in earlier lectures, third world countries are those regions and countries that gained independence and self-rule after World War II. These countries were either under the occupation of America or the European countries. Few of these were also under the occupation of other forces. For example, countries such as Pakistan, India, most of the countries in Africa, some in the Far East as Vietnam and Indonesia, and the biggest of them all was China, are included in the list of third world countries. The Second World War brought numerous sufferings to mankind. Millions of human lives were lost, but this great disaster in the history of mankind also resulted in freeing most of these regions and countries form the curse of modern slavery or colonialism. Following is a review of psychology in some of the third world countries.

Psychology in China

China became free from foreign domination in 1949, under the leadership of Mao-Tze-Tung, who was a leader of the Chinese Communist Party. Before the revolution of 1949 China was under the influence of American psychologists. Peking University offered the first course in psychology in the first decade of the 20^th century related to American psychologist’s view point. The books of American psychologists notably, William James and John Dewey were translated into Chinese and became a part of the Chinese courses of psychology. James is considered the founder of the functionalism. William James put forward the view that consciousness is not epiphenomena, which means that consciousness cannot be considered as something whose functions or working cannot be explained.

John Dewey was an educationist who put forward the view that education, particularly of children, should be based upon the needs of the children. This means that children of different ages have different needs. The education system should concentrate on understanding those needs and should adjust itself to meet the needs. John Dewey also delivered lectures at various places in China during 1919 and 1920.

Another American psychologist named Sailor, who had been educated at Teachers College Columbia University, delivered lectures in China. After the revolution of 1949 in China, Sailor came to Pakistan and delivered lectures in Lahore and other places. So psychology in China before 1949 could be called functionalist psychology. It also carried the influence of behaviorism and psychoanalysis.

When the Communist party gained control of the country in 1949, they recognized psychology as an important field of study. Psychology was recognized as a separate science in 1950 in China. In 1956 a commission was established to prepare a plan for the progress of psychology in China. As a result of recommendations of the commission and other sources, three branches of psychology gained permanence in China. They were:

1. Clinical Psychology
2. Psychology of work and labor
3. Educational Psychology

In Clinical Psychology research was undertaken in diagnostics and treatment of mental disorders, particularly schizophrenia and manic depressive psychosis. Chinese psychologists developed what they called “Speedy Synthetic Method” for treatment of mental disorders.

In the realm of Psychology of Work or Labor, manual labor was declared to be superior as compared to mental labor. Chinese psychologists discovered ways by which efficiency of manual labor could be increased.

In the field of Educational Psychology the highest resource and efforts were diverted. Educational psychologists looked into ways and means of improving student’s moral and ethical behavior. They started manual labor classes for students.

Chinese psychologists also did research on the developmental stages of growth in children and found out the best age for schooling etc. These were the main features of the developments of psychology in China after the revolution of 1949.

Psychology in Pakistan

Pakistan became an independent country in 1947. At the time of partition there were only two departments offering master’s degree in psychology. One at Dacca, East Pakistan, now Bangladesh and the other was Government College Lahore, affiliated with Punjab University where master’s classes were being held. Later, RajShahi University in East Pakistan/Bangladesh started offering masters degree and then Punjab University also set up the Applied Psychology Department. Later post graduate departments were also opened at Peshawar University, Karachi University and other colleges in Punjab.

The main specializations taught at these institutions were:

1. Psychodynamics, particularly the Freudian/Jungian approaches
2. Social Psychology
3. Clinical Psychology
4. Experimental and General Psychology
5. Psychological Measurement

Still later a National Institute of Psychology was set up at Islamabad, which undertook research in the areas of developmental psychology, forensic psychology, psychological measurement, etc. The NIP was later merged with Islamabad University.

Graduates from these institutions have been employed in the armed forces, the labor departments, education departments, public service commissions in the public sector, and in private sector, in advertising and marketing organizations and organizations undertaking research. Most prominent educational institutions now offer master’s and post master’s courses and degrees. Many graduates from these institutes are engaged in private practice and consultation.