Discussion about Filipino Psychology by Julie Ann Badilla

Filipino psychology, or Sikolohiyang Pilipino, in Filipino is the psychology rooted on the experience, ideas, and cultural orientation of the Filipinos. It is regulated by the Pambansang Samahan sa Sikolohiyang Pilipino, or the National Organization of Filipino Psychology, which was established in 1975 by Virgilio Enriquez, regarded by many as the Father of Filipino Psychology. Filipino psychology is usually thought of as a branch of Asian psychology, determined mostly on culture. However, there is an ongoing debate on the make-up of Philippine culture, because this will generally determine whether Philippine Psychology is to be placed under the realms of either Asian psychology or Western psychology. The view of Philippine Psychology is largely post colonial and is seen as a kind of liberation psychology.

Four traditions

Zeus Salazar (1985) , a historian, identified four traditions upon which Philippine psychology is rooted:

• Academic Scientific Psychology or Akademiko-siyentipikal na Sikolohiya: Western Tradition: This follows the tradition of Wilhelm Wundt in 1876 and is essentially the American-oriented Western psychology being studied in the Philippines.
• Academic Philosophic Psychology or Akademiko-pilosopiya na Sikolohiya: Western Tradition: This was started by priest-professors at the University of Santo Tomas. This tradition is mainly focused on what is called 'Rational psychology'.
• Ethnic Psychology or Taal na Sikolohiya: This is the tradition on which Philippine psychology is primarily based. This refers to the indigenous concepts that are studied using indigenous psychological orientation and methodologies.
• Psycho-medical Religious Psychology or Sikolohiyang Siko-medikal: The tradition that fuses native healing techniques and explains it in an indigenous religious context. A social scientist suggested that many Filipinos, those who belong to the poor sector, are considered as superstitious and delusional because of being dogmatic over their Catholic religion which is characterized by vague combination of Animism and Catholic beliefs. Majority of Filipinos are poor and religion has become an important facet of life to the extent that they disbelieve in Science. Many foreigners look down at Filipinos calling them slaves and alike that is why when working as Domestic Helpers, many Filipinos report cases of work-related abuse.