PSYCHOLOGY IN THE THIRD WORLD CHINA AND PAKISTAN

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History and Systems of Psychology PSY502

Lesson 42

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

20th 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:

Clinical Psychology

Psychology of work and labor

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.

History and Systems of Psychology PSY502

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:

Psychodynamics, particularly the Freudian/Jungian approaches

Social Psychology

Clinical Psychology

Experimental and General Psychology

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.

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