Lesson 1.4: Colonial Social Science

• What perspective primarily influenced the development of social sciences?

  Eurocentric perspective
• How were non-Western societies viewed in the context of social sciences?

  They were viewed through a Western lens, leading to biased representations.
• What role did social sciences play in colonial dominance?

  They were employed to justify and perpetuate colonial dominance.
• What narratives did social sciences construct regarding Western and indigenous societies?

  They constructed narratives of Western superiority and indigenous inferiority.
• What was often the result of imposing Western knowledge systems on indigenous knowledge?

  It led to the dismissal or suppression of indigenous forms of knowledge.
• What does Social Darwinism proclaim?

  It proclaims the survival of the fittest.
• How was Social Darwinism misapplied to human societies?

  It was used to justify the domination of native people and exploitation of the underclass.
• What ideology did Social Darwinism create regarding imperialism?

  It viewed the domination of weaker nations by stronger ones as a natural process of evolution.
• How did Social Darwinism justify social inequalities?

  It justified them as the natural order, considering the rich and powerful as superior.
• Who highlighted the role of US academics in the American colonization of the Philippines?

  Epifano San Juan Jr.
• What position did Dean Worcester hold that allowed him to influence policy in the Philippines?

  He was an anthropologist and later a government official.
• What was a clear example of scientific racism in Worcester's work?

  His portrayal of Filipinos, particularly Muslims, as "barbaric" and unfit for self-governance.
• What does the term "tutelage" refer to in the context of US academics in the Philippines?

  It refers to treating Filipinos as incapable of self-governance and requiring guidance from American experts.
• How does Worcester's case exemplify the misuse of academic disciplines?

  It shows how they can serve colonial interests, reinforcing stereotypes and justifying oppressive policies.
• What unique trajectory do social sciences in the Philippines have compared to Western counterparts?

  They have a unique trajectory influenced by colonial origins.
• Who introduced social sciences in the Philippines during the colonial era?

  Spanish and American colonizers.
• How did Philippine social sciences continue to be influenced after World War II?

  They were heavily influenced by Western theories and methodologies.
• What was the focus of early social science programs in the Philippines?

  They adopted predominantly Western frameworks with limited attention to local contexts.
• What marked the turning point for social sciences in the Philippines in the 1960s?

  Filipino social scientists began advocating for alignment with Philippine society's needs.
• Who are recognized as key figures in the movement for indigenization of social sciences in the Philippines?

  Virgilio Enriquez, Zeus Salazar, and Prospero Covar.
• What is Sikolohiyang Pilipino?

  It is a psychology rooted in Filipino experiences, ideas, and culture.
• How does Sikolohiyang Pilipino contribute to decolonizing social sciences?

  By focusing on Filipino experiences and perspectives, it challenges Western psychological theories.
• What does the development of Sikolohiyang Pilipino promote?

  It promotes a sense of cultural pride and identity.
• What are the key features of Sikolohiyang Pilipino?

  • Focus on Filipino experience: Understanding the Filipino psyche from within the cultural context.
  • Indigenous research methods: Culturally appropriate methods such as pagmamasid (observation), pakikilahok (participation), and pakikipag-kwentuhan (informal conversation).
  • Pambansang Samahan sa Sikolohiyang Pilipino: An organization established to promote and advance Sikolohiyang Pilipino.
• What does indigenization mean in the context of social sciences?

  It is the process of adapting something to suit a local culture or context.