Sikolohiyang Pilipino

• What does Sikolohiyang Pilipino refer to?

  It refers to the psychology born out of the experience, thought, and orientation of the Filipinos, based on Filipino culture and language.
• What is Indigenous Psychology?

  It is the scientific study of the ethnicity, society, and culture of a people, applying indigenous knowledge to psychological practice.
• What are the distinctions among the forms of Psychology in the Philippines?

  • Sikolohiya sa Pilipinas: Psychology in the Philippines
  • Sikolohiya ng mga Pilipino: Psychology of Filipinos
  • Sikolohiyang Pilipino: Filipino Psychology
• What does Sikolohiya sa Pilipinas refer to?

  It refers to a series of events related to the field of psychology in the Philippines, such as degree programs and research conducted.
• What is Sikolohiya ng mga Pilipino?

  It refers to any theories or knowledge of Filipino nature, regardless of whether the source is Western or local.
• What is the focus of Sikolohiyang Pilipino?

  It focuses on the true thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of Filipinos, deriving from indigenous sources, language, and methods.
• When did academic psychology in the Philippines predominantly adopt Western theories?


  In the 1960s.
• What was the reaction of Filipino intellectuals to Western-oriented approaches in the 1960s?

  They were sensitive to the inadequacy and unfairness of these approaches.
• How did Western-oriented approaches characterize Filipinos?

  They characterized Filipinos from a judgmental and impressionistic point of view of the colonizers.
• What significant contribution did Virgilio Gaspar Enriquez make in the early 1970s?


  He introduced the concept of Sikolohiyang Pilipino after returning from Northwestern University.
• What did Enriquez and Dr. Alfredo V. Lagmay research together?

  They researched the historical and cultural roots of Philippine Psychology.
• What were the outcomes of their research on Philippine psychology?

  They produced a two-volume bibliography on Filipino psychology and a locally developed personality test.
• What was the significance of the Unang Pambansang Kumperensya sa Sikolohiyang Pilipino in 1975?

  It was the first national conference where the ideas and concepts of Sikolohiyang Pilipino were formally articulated.
• How did Enriquez define Sikolohiyang Pilipino in 1985?

  As the study of diwa, which refers to the wealth of ideas related to essence and psychological concepts.
• Why can't Western models fully encompass Asian cultures according to Sikolohiyang Pilipino?

  Because they do not capture the subtleties of Asian cultures.
• What is the ultimate aim of Sikolohiyang Pilipino?

  To contribute to universal psychology by understanding each group from their own perspective.
• What are the two approaches to indigenization in Sikolohiyang Pilipino?

  • Indigenization from within: Theoretical framework and methodology emerge from indigenous culture.
  • Indigenization from without: Searching for local equivalents for universal psychological concepts.
• What does the subject matter of indigenous Filipino Psychology include?

  It includes the study of emotions, awareness, understanding, habits, behaviors, and the soul.
• What are the four filiations of Sikolohiyang Pilipino according to Zeus Salazar?

  • Academic-scientific psychology: Western tradition
  • Academic-philosophical psychology: Western clerical tradition
  • Ethnic psychology
  • Psycho-medical system
• What coincided with the birth of scientific psychology in the Philippines?

  The entry of Western psychology, mainly the American tradition, at Philippine universities.
• Which university is associated with Wilhelm Wundt in the context of Philippine psychology?

  University of the Philippines.
• What does ethnic psychology integrate in Sikolohiyang Pilipino?

  It integrates indigenous psychology, psychology of Filipinos, and the practice of psychology by Filipinos.
• What is the psycho-medical system in the context of Sikolohiyang Pilipino?

  It is a system where religion serves as a cohesive element and explanation.
• What are the major characteristics of Sikolohiyang Pilipino as an Indigenous Asian Psychology?

  • Emphasis on identity, national consciousness, and social awareness.
  • Encourages cross-indigenous methods and multi-language approaches.
  • Addresses issues of colonial status and exploitation.
  • Concerned with both scientific and humanistic approaches.
• What is Sikolohiyang Pilipino's stance on the science-humanism issue?

  It recognizes both scientific and humanistic approaches as valid.
• How does Sikolohiyang Pilipino approach the mentalism-behaviorism issue?

  It admits both but emphasizes collective experience over individual experience.
• What is the analysis-wholeness issue in Sikolohiyang Pilipino?

  It is methodologically on the side of analysis but interprets results with a bias for wholeness.
• How does Sikolohiyang Pilipino relate to universal psychology?

  It is not inconsistent with universal psychology and aims to contribute to its development.
• What criticism did Enriquez have regarding the study of Filipino values?

  He criticized the perpetuation of a distorted picture of the Filipino due to colonial interpretations.
• What did Enriquez encourage Filipino scholars to do regarding Filipino values?

  He encouraged them to re-evaluate these values using a Filipino orientation.
• What is the significance of the term "Bahala Na" in the context of Filipino values?


  • It reflects a unique Filipino attitude towards uncertainty.
  • Often interpreted as a form of fatalism or trust in divine providence.
• What is a major issue in Sikolohiyang Pilipino (SP) regarding its methodological approach?

  SP is methodologically on the side of analysis but interprets results with a bias for wholeness.
• What are the major characteristics of Sikolohiyang Pilipino as an Indigenous Asian Psychology?

  • Not inconsistent with universal psychology
  • A step towards developing universal psychology
  • Not anti-Western theory and methods
  • Opposes non-selective imposition of Western knowledge
• How have Filipino values been transmitted through generations?

  Filipino values have been transmitted with colonial interpretations, perpetuating a distorted picture of the Filipino.
• Who was critical of the approach to studying Filipino values?

  Enriquez was critical of this approach.
• Which social scientists took up the challenge posed by Enriquez?

  Lagmay, Salazar, and Bonifacio took up the challenge.
• What does the Filipino value "Bahala na" signify?


  • No exact English translation
  • Often interpreted as acceptance of suffering and problems
  • Associated with a fatalistic resignation
  • Can be seen as a readiness to face difficult situations
• How did Bostrom (1968) interpret the value of "Bahala na"?

  Bostrom compared it with American fatalism.
• How did Andres (1994) define "Bahala na"?

  Andres defined it as a fatalistic resignation or withdrawal from responsibility.
• What is Lagmay's perspective on "Bahala na"?

  Lagmay explained that it is not fatalism but determination and risk-taking.