Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-rcrh6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-29T14:03:12.906Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The Development of Psychology in Papua New Guinea: A Brief Review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 May 2015

Leo Marai
Leo Marai*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Papua New Guinea, PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

The development of psychology in Papua New Guinea (PNG) is briefly and critically reviewed in this paper. The primary foci in PNG, both in teaching and research, have been clinical psychology and selection testing. Despite significant developments during the colonial era, the period since independence has witnessed a stagnation, as reflected in outmoded selection procedures, low employer awareness of psychology, and a dearth of relevant, indigenous research. The primary causes of this stagnation are identified as cross-cultural psychology, the influence of expatriates, and political decisions. The paper concludes with some suggestions for regenerating psychology in PNG, including a project to assess what Papua New Guineans themselves would expect from any genuine indigenisation process.

Type
Articles
Information
South Pacific Journal of Psychology , Volume 9 , 1997 , pp. 1 - 6
Copyright
Copyright © University of Papua New Guinea & the University of Newcastle, Australia 1997

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Bau, L., & Dyck, M. (1992). Predicting the peacetime performance of military officers: Officer selection in the Papua New Guinea Defence Force. South Pacific Journal of Psychology, 5, 27–37.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Carr, S. C., MacLachlan, M., & Schultz, R. F. (1995). Pacific Asia psychology: Ideas for development. South Pacific Journal of Psychology, 8, 2–18.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Davidson, G. (1992). Toward an applied Aboriginal psychology. South Pacific Journal of Psychology, 5, 1–20.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dyck, M. (1994). Editorial. South Pacific Journal of Psychology, 7, 1.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dyck, M. (1990). Editorial. South Pacific Journal of Psychology, 3, 1.Google Scholar
Enriquez, V. G. (1989). Indigenous Psychology and National Consciousness. Tokyo: Institute for the Study of Language & Cultures of Asia & Africa.Google Scholar
Helms, J. (1992). Why is there no study of cultural equivalence in standardized cognitive ability testing? American Psychology, 47, 1083–1101.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hicks, R. (1973). Assessing verbal attainments in Papua New Guinea, 1966-1972. New Guinea Psychology, 5, 98–105.Google Scholar
MacLachlan, M., Mapundi, J., Zimba, C. G., & Carr, S. C. (1995). Trialing the M.A.P.P. in Malawi: An investigation of cross-cultural face validity. Journal of Social Psychology, 135, 645–648.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Marai, L. (1991). Drug usage among university students in Papua New Guinea in relation to Rotter's Internal-External Locus of Control construct: A critique. Unpublished Bachelor of Arts with Honours sub-thesis, University of Papua New Guinea.Google Scholar
Moghaddam, F. M. (1987). Psychology in the three worlds. American Psychologist, 42, 912–920.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ord, I. (1957). Report on psychological investigations and findings concerning the assessment of natives of Papua New Guinea during the period 15 June - 13 September, 1957. Unpublished report, Headquarters, Australian Army, Northern Command, Victoria Barracks, Brisbane.Google Scholar
Ord, I. (1959). The development of a test of cognitive capacity for indigenous of Papua New Guinea. Unpublished Master's thesis, University of Queensland.Google Scholar
Ord, I. (1966). Psychological services in Papua New Guinea. Australian Psychologist, 1, 100–105.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ord, I. (1967a). The New Guinea Performance Scale and its educational uses. Papua New Guinea Journal of Education, 5, 8–16.Google Scholar
Ord, I. (1967b). Manual for “New Guinea English Attainments and Skills” test series. Unpublished report, 19 Psychology Unit, Murray Barracks, PNG Command, Port Moresby, PNG.Google Scholar
Ord, I. (1971). Assessing the cognitive capacities of non-literate New Guinean adults. New Guinea Psychology Monograph Supplement, 3.Google Scholar
Preston, L., St. George, A., & St. George, R. (1974). The origins and development of psychological tests in Papua New Guinea: A guide to name changes and test modifications. New Guinea Psychologist, 6, 96–103.Google Scholar
Price, J. (1984). A look at psychology in Papua New Guinea since independence. South Pacific Journal of Psychology, 1, 1–15.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Scarr, S. (1989). Race and gender as psychological variables. American Psychologist, 43, 56–59.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Vernon, P. E. (1969). Intelligence and cultural environment. London: Methuen & Co. Ltd. Google Scholar