Prof. Dr. Ayan Bahadur Shrestha @ workshop "State of Psychology in Nepal- 2012"

NEPsychNet

18 Feb 201212:41

Summary

TLDRThis transcript discusses the evolution of philosophy and psychology education in Nepal over the past five to six decades. It highlights the transition from teaching psychology as a part of philosophy to a standalone science, focusing on behavior and the mind. The speaker emphasizes the need to develop applied psychology in practical fields like public service, industry, and the military to enhance its relevance and impact on society.

Takeaways

📚 Philosophy has been taught in Nepal for the past five to six decades, with the first department starting at Tandra College.
👨‍🏫 The father of a doctor in Nepal is recognized as the first person to teach philosophy at the college level.
🏫 In 1956, the College of Education was established, which was the first to train teachers and also introduced psychology as a science.
🔬 Initially, psychology was taught as a part of philosophy, focusing on the mind or soul, rather than behavior.
🌟 The first person to teach psychology as a science at the College of Education was a professor who later moved to the United States and became a clinical psychologist.
📚 Dr. Rose and Joshi co-authored a book titled 'Democratic Renovation in Nepal,' which discusses politics in Nepal.
🔑 Dr. Pran, who later passed away, was succeeded by the speaker as the third person to teach psychology in Nepal.
🏛 Psychology began in other colleges such as in Morang, Biratnagar, and Janakpur, and the first batch of Master's courses in Psychology started in 1980.
🧠 The speaker emphasizes the need for psychology to evolve from a theoretical discipline to an applied science, focusing on practical applications in various fields.
🛠️ There is a call for the development of applied psychology in Nepal, particularly in areas like public service, where psychologists could assess the capabilities and attitudes of administrative candidates.
🔄 The speaker criticizes the lack of application of psychological principles in everyday life and different professional fields, suggesting this is why psychology has not gained as much popularity as sociology and anthropology.
🚀 The potential for psychology to be applied in various sectors such as the military, industries, and advertising is highlighted, indicating a need for skill development in these areas.

Q & A

How long has philosophy been taught in Nepal?
-Philosophy has been taught in Nepal for the last five or six decades.
Which college first started the department of philosophy in Nepal?
-The department of philosophy was first started in Tandra College.
What was the first institution to teach psychology as a science in Nepal?
-The College of Education was the first institution where psychology was taught as a science.
Who is considered the first person to teach psychology in the College of Education?
-The first person to teach psychology in the College of Education is not clearly mentioned in the transcript, but it is mentioned that he went to the United States and became a clinical psychologist.
What book did Dr. Rose write about politics in Nepal?
-Dr. Rose wrote a book titled 'Democratic Renovation in Nepal'.
Who co-authored the book 'Democratic Renovation in Nepal' with Dr. Rose?
-Joshi co-authored the book 'Democratic Renovation in Nepal' with Dr. Rose.
In which university did the first psychology professor teach after moving to the United States?
-The first psychology professor taught at Berky University in California after moving to the United States.
When did the first Master's courses in Psychology begin in Nepal?
-The first Master's courses in Psychology began in 1980.
Why does the speaker believe psychology has not developed as much as sociology and anthropology in Nepal?
-The speaker believes psychology has not developed as much because it is primarily taught theoretically without enough focus on its practical applications in various fields of life.
What does the speaker suggest to improve the status of psychology in Nepal?
-The speaker suggests focusing more on the professional part of psychology, applying theories in different fields of life, and developing skills to use psychology in practical settings such as the military, industries, and advertising.
What is the speaker's view on the role of psychologists in the Public Service Commission of Nepal?
-The speaker feels that psychologists in the Public Service Commission should be more involved in assessing the behavioral characteristics and capacities of candidates for administrative roles, rather than just working as administrators themselves.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Historical Development of Philosophy and Psychology in Nepal

The first paragraph discusses the history of philosophy and psychology education in Nepal, starting with the teaching of philosophy in Tandra College over five or six decades ago. It mentions the first person to teach philosophy and the introduction of psychology as a science in the College of Education in 1956, distinguishing it from its previous status as part of philosophy. The speaker also notes the first teachers of psychology who later pursued careers in the United States, and the authors of a book on political reform in Nepal.

05:02

🔬 Transition of Psychology from Philosophy to Science

The second paragraph delves into the evolution of psychology as a discipline in Nepal, highlighting its initial status as a branch of philosophy to its current standing as a behavioral science. The speaker expresses concern over the lack of development in the applied aspects of psychology, comparing it unfavorably to the growth of sociology and anthropology. They argue that psychology has not been as popular or practical as it could be due to a focus on theoretical aspects rather than real-world applications.

10:04

🛠 The Need for Applied Psychology in Various Fields

The final paragraph emphasizes the importance of applying psychological theories in practical fields such as the military, industries, and advertising. The speaker criticizes the lack of development in the professional application of psychology in Nepal, suggesting that psychologists are not being utilized to their full potential, particularly in public service and administration. They call for a shift in focus towards the practical application of psychology to improve its relevance and impact on society.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Philosophy

Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. In the context of the video, philosophy has been taught in Nepal for decades and was foundational to the academic environment before the introduction of psychology as a separate discipline. The script mentions the teaching of philosophy in Tandra College, indicating its historical significance in Nepal's educational system.

💡Psychology

Psychology is the scientific study of the human mind and its functions, particularly those affecting behavior in a given context. The video discusses the evolution of psychology from being taught as part of philosophy to becoming a distinct scientific discipline. The script highlights the first instances of psychology being taught as a science in the College of Education and the transition from a theoretical focus to the need for applied psychology in various fields.

💡College of Education

The College of Education refers to an institution that prepares individuals to become teachers or educators. In the script, it is mentioned as the place where psychology was first taught as a science, marking a significant shift in the academic approach to understanding human behavior and the mind.

💡Science of Mind

The term 'science of mind' traditionally refers to the study of the mind from a philosophical perspective, often associated with metaphysical or spiritual beliefs. The video script contrasts this with the modern scientific approach to psychology, which focuses on observable behavior and mental processes.

💡Behavior

Behavior refers to the actions or reactions of an organism in response to external or internal stimuli. The script discusses the modern teaching of psychology as the 'science of behavior,' emphasizing the shift from philosophical speculation to empirical study and application in understanding and predicting actions.

💡Democratic Renovation in Nepal

This phrase from the script refers to a book written by Dr. Rose and Joshi, which discusses politics in Nepal. It serves as an example of the application of academic knowledge in understanding and potentially influencing the socio-political landscape of the country.

💡Public Service Commission

The Public Service Commission is a government agency responsible for the selection and appointment of officials in the public sector. The script criticizes the lack of psychological assessment in the selection process, suggesting that psychology could improve the effectiveness of public administration by evaluating the behavioral characteristics of candidates.

💡Applied Psychology

Applied psychology is the use of psychological principles and research in practical settings outside of a laboratory. The video emphasizes the need for developing the applied side of psychology in Nepal, suggesting that its integration into various professional fields could enhance its relevance and impact on society.

💡Theoretical Psychology

Theoretical psychology refers to the study of psychological theories and concepts without direct application to practical problems. The script notes that psychology in Nepal has been primarily theoretical, lacking the application that could make it more popular and effective in various professional domains.

💡Professional Psychology

Professional psychology involves the application of psychological knowledge in professional practice, often requiring specialized training and certification. The speaker in the script advocates for a greater focus on the professional aspects of psychology to improve its practical utility and societal recognition.

💡Sociology and Anthropology

Sociology and anthropology are social sciences that study human society and culture, respectively. The script contrasts the development of psychology with these disciplines, noting that despite starting earlier, psychology has not advanced as much in terms of application and popularity in Nepal.

Highlights

Philosophy has been taught in Nepal for over five decades, starting at Tandra College.

The first person to teach philosophy in Tandra College was the father of some doctors in Nepal.

In 1956, the College of Education was established, where teachers were trained.

Psychology was first taught as a science at the College of Education, distinct from philosophy.

The first person to teach psychology as a science was a professor who later moved to the United States.

Dr. Rose and Joshi co-authored a book on politics in Nepal, titled 'Democratic Renovation in Nepal'.

The speaker is the third person to teach psychology in Nepal, following the footsteps of the previous two pioneers.

Psychology began in other colleges such as in Morang, Biratnagar, and Janakpur.

The first batch of Master's courses in Psychology started in 1980.

Initially, psychology was part of philosophy, but now it is recognized as a science of behavior and mind.

The development of applied psychology in Nepal has been slow, with a focus on theoretical aspects.

Sociology and anthropology have developed faster than psychology in Nepal, despite psychology starting earlier.

The lack of applied psychology in daily life and various fields is suggested as a reason for its limited popularity.

Psychologists in public service are often administrators rather than practicing psychologists.

The speaker suggests that psychology should be applied in testing and evaluating the behavioral characteristics of candidates for administrative roles.

The speaker emphasizes the need to develop the professional side of psychology and apply theories in practical fields.

Psychology is in demand in various fields such as the military, industries, and advertising, yet Nepal has not fully developed these skills.

The speaker believes that psychology should be made useful and responsive to the needs of the people, which is currently not the case.

The presentation was impromptu, reflecting the speaker's genuine thoughts on the state of psychology in Nepal.