Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-g8jcs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-25T23:37:05.412Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Pacific Asia Psychology: Ideas for Development?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 May 2015

S.C. Carr
Affiliation:
University of Newcastle, Australia
M. MacLachlan
Affiliation:
University of Malawi, Malawi
R.F. Schultz
Affiliation:
University of the South Pacific, Fiji

Abstract

Focussing on health and management needs, an applied “psychology for development” is emerging in the African literature, and we aimed to explore its wider application to the development of countries in Pacific Asia. “Psychology for development” has made use of some distinctive pathways, from (a) realizing that development policy may contain mistaken assumptions about the psychology of the people involved, to (b) reconstituting, (c) restating, (d) refuting, or (e) rechannelling psychological concepts devised for western conditions. Applied psychological phenomena so far identified include (a) a “pay me!” reaction to aid (recipients demanding money for their participation); (b) “double demotivation” (salary differentials between local and expatriates demotivating both groups); (c) the “pull down” motive (the perception that others will sabotage high self-achievement); (d) “cognitive tolerance” (the ability to value at the same time both modern medical and traditional beliefs about health); and (e) the revitalised importance to health care of concepts such as “source credibility”. Anecdotal evidence suggests that these pathways and applied concepts may have a future in Pacific Asia, and we recommend empirical research to develop awareness of their viability in this region.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © University of Papua New Guinea & the University of Newcastle, Australia 1995

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

REFERENCES

Adams, J.S. (1965). Inequity in social exchange. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 2.Google Scholar
Ager, A.K., Carr, S.C., MacLachlan, M., & Kaneka-Chilongo, B. (in press). Beliefs about cause, risk reduction, and treatment for schistosomiasis and malaria in rural Malawi. Malawi Medical Journal.Google Scholar
Aita, J. (1992). U.S. criticises U.N. management. Daily Times (Malawi), 10 26, 9.Google Scholar
Akin-Ogundeji, O. (1991). Asserting psychology in Africa. The Psychologist, 4(1), 24.Google Scholar
Anlaki, C. (1989). Social psychology in Nicaragua. The British Psychological Society. Social Psychology Section Newsletter, 21, 32.Google Scholar
Archer, L. (1993). Personal communication.Google Scholar
Barbichon, G. (1968). La diffusion des connaissances scientifiques et techniques dans les public: Ses conditions dans les pay en voie de developpement. Journal of Social Issues XXIV(2), 135155.Google Scholar
Bau, L.P., and Dyck, M.J. (1992). Predicting the peacetime performance of military officers: Officer selection in the Papua New Guinea Defence Force. South Pacific Journal of Psychology, 5, 2737.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Berman, J.J., Murphy-Berman, U., & Singh, P. (1985). Cross cultural similarities and differences in perceptions of fairness. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 16, 5567.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Berry, J.W., Poortinga, Y.H., Segall, M.H., & Dasen, P.R. (1992). Cross-cultural Psychology. New York: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Blanckaert, C. (1993). Cambodge: Espoir brise? Action Internationale Contre La Faim, 31, 04-Juin.Google Scholar
Blunt, P. (1983). Organizational theory and behaviour: An African perspective. New York: Longman.Google Scholar
Bond, M.H. (1994). Personal correspondence.Google Scholar
Callan, V., Gallois, C., and Noller, P. (1986). Social psychology. Australia: Harcourt Brace and Jovanovich.Google Scholar
Carlton, P. Quiet achiever. Weekend Australian, 10 2-3, 54.Google Scholar
Carney, G., Baroway, M., Perkins, R., Pousson, R., & Whipple, J. (1991). Student and faculty knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to AIDS: Implications for health educators. Journal of American College Health, 40, 6472.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Carr, S.C. (1993). Social psychology as history: Malawi answers back. Zomba: University of Malawi.Google Scholar
Carr, S.C. (1994). Developing psychology in Malawi: One step on from the S.W.O.T. Psychology Teaching Review, 3(1), 16.Google Scholar
Carr, S.C., Ager, A.K., Nyando, M.C., Moyo, K., Titeca, A., & Wilkinson, M. (in press). A comparison of chamba (marijuana) abusers and general psychiatric admissions in Malawi. Social Science and Medicine.Google Scholar
Carr, S.C., MacLachlan, M., Bowa, M., & Zimba, C. (1994a). Managing motivational gravity in Malawi. Zomba: University of Malawi.Google Scholar
Carr, S.C., MacLachlan, M., & Heath, R.A. (1994b). Developing psychology in Malawi: Influence of learning culture. Newcastle: University of Newcastle.Google Scholar
Carr, S.C., MacLachlan, M., Kachedwa, M.G., & Kanyangale, M.I. (1994c). The meaning of work in Malawi. Zomba: University of Malawi.Google Scholar
Carr, S.C., & MacLachlan, M. (1993). Asserting psychology in Malawi. The Psychologist, 6(9), 413419.Google Scholar
Carr, S.C., & MacLachlan, M. (in press a). Psychology for developing Malawi. The Journal of Psychology in Africa.Google Scholar
Carr, S.C., & MacLachlan, M. (in press b). The social psychology of development work: The “double demotivation” hypothesis. Journal of Social Science.Google Scholar
Channells, J., & Carr, S.C. (1994). “Pay me to help myself!” among long-term unemployed and conference junketeers in contemporary Australia. Newcastle: University of Newcastle.Google Scholar
Chidgey, J., & Carr, S.C. (1994). Salary differentials for managers and teachers: What price? Newcastle: Pristus Consulting Group.Google Scholar
Chiona, J., Mkhori, F., Chimole, F.A., Assolali, A., Chamgwera, A., Chisendera, G.M., & Roche, J. (1992). Living Our Faith: Pastoral Letter of the Catholic Bishops of Malawi. Balaka Malawi: Montfort Press.Google Scholar
Conway, R. (1972). The great Australian stupor. Melbourne: Sun Books Pty Ltd.Google Scholar
Cribb, J. (1993). Teens ignore safe sex message. Weekend Australian, 11 13-14, 53.Google Scholar
Daily Times (Malawi). (1991). 18th, p.8.Google Scholar
Davidson, G. (1992). Toward an applied aboriginal psychology. South Pacific Journal of Psychology, 5(1), 120.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dawson, J.L.M. (1969a). Attitudinal consistency and conflict in West Africa. International Journal of Psychology, 4, 3954.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dawson, J.L.M. (1969b). Theoretical and research bases of bio-psychology. University of Hong Kong Gaz, 3, 110.Google Scholar
Davies, G. (1993). Asserting psychology in Malawi. Personal correspondence.Google Scholar
Dixon, M. (1990). A nation in thrall to the third deadly sin. Weekend Australian, 05 26-27, 23.Google Scholar
Douglas, T.Z. (1993). Selecting bank employees with customer services skills in Malawi. Zomba: University of Malawi.Google Scholar
Dubbey, J.M., Kasomekera, Z., Kandawire, J.A., Kathalamo, O., Michili, G.G., Chipofoya, C., & Chiyenda, S.S. (1990). University of Malawi tracer study. Zomba: USAID/Human Resources and Institutional Development (HRID).Google Scholar
Dudgeon, P. (1993). Aborigines and Western Psychology. Proceedings of the 28th Australian Psychological Society Annual Conference, Gold Coast.Google Scholar
Dwyer, P. (1993). “Dateline”, 28th 10.Google Scholar
Elliot, E., Pitts, M., & McMaster, J. (1992). Nurses' views of parasuicide in a developing country. The International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 38, 273279.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Eze, N. (1991). The progress and status of psychology in Africa. Journal of Psychology in Africa, 1(4), 2737.Google Scholar
Feather, N.T. (1985). (Ed.). Australian psychology: Review of research. Sydney: Allen and Unwin.Google Scholar
Feather, N.T. (1993). Devaluing achievement within a culture: Measuring the cultural cringe. Proceedings of The Australian Social Psychologists' Annual Meeting.Google Scholar
Feather, N.T. (1994). Attitudes toward high achievers and reactions to their fall: Theory and research concerning tall poppies. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 26, 173.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Feather, N.T., & McKee, I.R. (1992). Global self-esteem and the fall of high achievers: Australian and Japanese comparisons. Proceedings of the 27th Australian Psychological Society National Conference, Armidale.Google Scholar
Festinger, L. (1954). A theory of social comparison processes. Human Relations, 1, 117140.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Festinger, L. (1957). A theory of cognitive dissonance. Stanford: Stanford University Press.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Forbes, C. (1993). Government the Wingti way. Weekend Australian, 11 13-14, 53.Google Scholar
Gibbs, G., Habeshaw, S., & Habeshaw, T. (1988). 53 interesting ways to appraise your teaching. Bristol: Technical and Educational Services.Google Scholar
Gibson, R. (1994). Aboriginal health. Joint Medical, 79, 5.Google Scholar
Grey, J. (1993). Tall poppy soldier never cut down. Weekend Australian, 11 6-7, 8.Google Scholar
Harris, A. (1990). A Psychologist in EI Salvador. The Psychologist, 3(6), 264266.Google Scholar
Harris, T. (1993). Chance to Study Japan First Hand. Weekend Australian, 09 2-3, 54.Google Scholar
Hofstede, G.H. (1980). Culture's consequences: International differences in work-related values. Beverly Hills: Sage.Google Scholar
Hofstede, G.H., & Bond, M.H. (1988). Confucius and economic growth: New trends in culture's consequences. Organizational Dynamics 16(4), 421.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
House, W., and Zimalirana, G. (1992). Rapid population growth and its implications for Malawi. Malawi Medical Journal, 8(2), 4654.Google Scholar
Hutchings, B. (1993). Indonesia is land of trade opportunity. Weekend Australian, 11 13-14, 53.Google Scholar
Jahoda, G. (1970). Supernatural beliefs and changing cognitive structures among Ghanaian university students. Journal of Cross-Cultural psychology, 1(2), 115130.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jahoda, G. (1983). Has social psychology a distinctive contribution to make? In Blackler, F.. Social psychology and developing countries. Chichester: Wiley.Google Scholar
Jones, S., Carr, S.C., & Casimir, G. (1993). Work motivation down under: Labouring under an illusion? Newcastle: University of Newcastle.Google Scholar
Kamwendo, A.R. (1985). Developmental psychology research in Malawi. Journal of Social Science, 12(3), 133152.Google Scholar
Kaur, R., & Ward, C. (1992). Cross-cultural construct validity study of “fear of success”: A Singaporean case study. In Iwawaki, S., Kashima, Y., & Leung, K.. (Eds.). Innovations in cross-cultural psychology (pp.214222). Amsterdam: Swets & Zeitlinger.Google Scholar
Keats, D.M., and Fang, F-X. (1987). Cultural factors in concepts of intelligence. In Kagikibasi, C. (Ed). Growth and progress in cross-cultural psychology. Lisse: Swets & Zeitlinger.Google Scholar
Kellog Foundation. (1992). Annual report: Windows of opportunity. New York: Kellog Foundation.Google Scholar
Kiggundu, M.N. (1991). The challenge of management development in Sub-Saharan Africa. Journal of Management Development, 10(6), 3247.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lazarevic, R. (1992). The self-esteem of rural and urban Aboriginal students in New South Wales (Master's thesis). Newcastle: University of Newcastle.Google Scholar
Lerner, M.J. (1970). The desire for justice and reaction to victims. In: Macauley, J. & Berkowitz, L. (Eds). Altruism and helping behavior. U.S.A.: Academic Press.Google Scholar
Lewin, K. (1951). Field theory in social science. New York: Harper.Google Scholar
Machika, N. (1992). Talking point: Equal pay for equal skin tone. Michiru Sun. 11 issue.Google Scholar
MacLachlan, M. (1993). Mental health in Malawi: Which way forward? Journal of Mental Health, 2(3), 271274.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
MacLachlan, M., & Carr, S.C. (1993a). Marketing psychology in a developing country: An innovative application in Malawi. Psychology Teaching Review, 2(1), 2229.Google Scholar
MacLachlan, M., & Carr, S.C. (1993b). Demotivating the doctors: The “double demotivation” hypothesis in the health services of less developed countries. Journal of Management in Medicine, 7(6), 610.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
MacLachlan, M., & Carr, S.C. (1993c). Pathways to a psychology for development: reconstituting, restating, refuting and realizing. Psychology and Developing Societies.Google Scholar
MacLachlan, M., & Carr, S.C. (1993d). Tropical tolerance in Malawi: A report to the Ministry of Health. Zomba: University of Malawi Press.Google Scholar
MacLachlan, M., & Carr, S.C. (1993e). Family care in Malawi: The sustainable Community alternative for AIDS management. Zomba: University of Malawi.Google Scholar
MacLachlan, M., & Carr, S.C. (1993f). From Dissonance to tolerance: Toward managing health in tropical cultures? Zomba: University of Malawi.Google Scholar
MacLachlan, M., & Chimombo, M. (1993). Summary report on the evaluation of an AIDS education boardgame for Malawi. Lilongwe: UNICEF.Google Scholar
MacLachlan, M., Gladstone, M., & Bowa, M.F. (1993). An investigation into the value of dramatic role-playing video in AIDS education. Zomba: University of Malawi Press.Google Scholar
MacLachlan, M., Nyirenda, T. & Nyando, M.C. (in press). Attributions for admission to Zomba Mental Hospital: Implications for the development of mental health servcies in Malawi. International Journal of Mental Health.Google Scholar
Malawi News Agency. (1992). Human resources receive priority. Daily Times (Malawi). 09 8, 1.Google Scholar
McCrann, T. (1993). Capitalism to the rescue and no losers. Weekend Australian, 10 2-3, 31, 34.Google Scholar
McGuinness, P.P. A confident nation has problems with identity. Weekend Australian, 10 2-3.Google Scholar
McLoughlin, D. (1994). Personal correspondence.Google Scholar
McLoughlin, D., & Carr, S.C. (1994). The Buick Bar & Grill. Melbourne University: Management Case Study Library.Google Scholar
Misra, G., & Gergen, K. (1993a). On the place of culture in psychological science. International Journal of Psychology, 28(2), 225243.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Misra, G., & Gergen, K. (1993b). Beyond scientific colonialism: A reply to Poortinga and Triandis. International Journal of Psychology, 28(2), 251254.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Misumi, J., & Peterson, M.F. (1990). Psychology in Japan. Annual Review of Psychology, 41, 213241.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Munro, D. (1983). Developing ‘la conscience professionelle’ in cultures with a history of vocational disadvantage. In: Blackler, F. (Ed.). Social psychology and developing countries. Chichester: Wiley.Google Scholar
Munro, D. (1986). The meaning of Eysenck's personality constructs and scales for Zimbabwean male students. Personality and Individual Differences, 7, 283291.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Munro, D. (1993). Personal correspondence.Google Scholar
Nason, D. (1993). Croc farmer puts the bite on Asian market. Weekend Australian, 11 6-7, 5.Google Scholar
Ng., S.H., Hossain, A.B.M., Ball, P., Bond, M.H., Hayashi, K., Lim, S.P., O'Driscoll, M.P., Sinha, D., & Yang, K.S. (1982). Human values in nine countries. In: Rath, P., Asthana, H.S., Sinha, D., & Sinha, J.B.H. (Eds.). Diversity and unity in cross-cultural psychology. Lisse: Swets and Zeitlinger.Google Scholar
Oh, T.K. (1991). Understanding managerial values and behaviour among the gang of four: South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and Hong Kong. Journal of Management Development, 10(2), 4656.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Oman, I.M. (1983). Some orientational issues in the applications of social psychology in developing countries. In: Blackler, F. (Ed). Social psychology and developing countries. Chichester: Wiley.Google Scholar
Pangani, D, Carr, S.C., MacLachlan, M., & Ager, A.K. (in press). Medical versus traditional attributions for psychiatric symptomatology in the tropics: Which reflects greater tolerance? Medical Science Research.Google Scholar
Peltzer, K. (1987). Some contributions of traditional healing practices towards psychological health care in Malawi. Fachbuchhandlung Fur Psychologie Verlagsabteilung, Eschborn bei Frunkufurt Am Main.Google Scholar
Poortinga, Y.H. (1993). Is there no child in the experimental bathwater? A comment on Misra and Gergen. International Journal of Psychology, 28(2), 245248.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Porter, D., Allen, B., & Thompson, G. (1991). Development in practice: Paved with good intentions. Guidlford: Routledge.Google Scholar
Rajbhansee, J. (1972). Size and bureaucracy in the Caribbean. Journal of Comparative Administration, 4(2), 215225.Google Scholar
Reeler, A.P. (1991). Psychological disorder in primary care and the development of clinical services: an African perspective. The Psychologist, 4, 349353.Google Scholar
Schultz, R. (1994). Personal correspondence. The University of the South Pacific, Fiji.Google Scholar
Schwarz, P.A., & Krug, R.E. (1972). Ability testing in devehping countries. New York: Praeger Publishers.Google Scholar
Segall, M.H., Dasen, P.R., Berry, J.W., & Poortinga, Y.H. (1991). Human behavior in global perspective. New York: Pergamon Press.Google Scholar
Serpell, R. (1976). Culture's influence on behaviour. London: Methuen.Google Scholar
Shaba, B., MacLachlan, M., Carr, S.C., & Ager, A.K. (in press). Palliative versus curative beliefs regarding tropical epilepsy as a function of traditional and medical attributions. Central African Journal of Medicine.Google Scholar
Sinha, D. (1989). Cross-cultural psychology and the process of indigenisation: A second view from the third world. In Keats, D.M., Munro, D., & Mann, L. (Eds.). Heterogeneity in cross-cultural psychology. Amsterdam: Swets & Zeitlinger.Google Scholar
Sinha, J.B.P. (1990). Socio-technological determinants of work values - a proposal. In Othman, A.H., & Rahman, W.R.A. (Eds.). Psychology and socio-economic development. Bangi: Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.Google Scholar
Smith, P.B. (1991/1992). Does social psychology travel well? The cultural context of replicability. British Psychological Society Social Psychology Section Newsletter, 26, 4152.Google Scholar
Southern African Economist. (1993). Persuading the doctors to stay. Southern African Economist, 01, 5.Google Scholar
Spore, A. (1992). The educated classes go back to the land. Daily Times (Malawi), 18th 11, 10.Google Scholar
Srinivas, K.M. (1994). Organization development for national development: A review of evidence. In Kanungo, R.N. & Saunders, D. (Eds.). Employee management in developing countries. Canada: JAI Press.Google Scholar
Taft, R., and Day, R.H. (1988). Psychology in Australia. Annual Review of Psychology, 39, 375400.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tellegen, N. (1992). Rural entrepreneurs and economic stagnation. Tilburg: African Studies Centre.Google Scholar
Tembo, K.C. (1991). Evaluation of source of messages on AIDS by college students. Malawi Medical Journal, 7(3), 117118.Google Scholar
Tesfaye, A. (1992). Developing personality tests to develop Malawi's management. Zomba: University of Malawi.Google Scholar
The Australian Special Survey: Indonesia. The Australian, 09 24, 914.Google Scholar
Traynor, W.J., & Watts, W.R. (1992). Management development in the Pacific during the 1990s. Journal of Management Development, 11(2), 6779.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Triandis, H.C. (1993). Comment on Misra and Gergen's: Place of culture in psychological science. International Journal of Psychology, 28(2), 249250.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Turner, J.C. (1991). Social influence. London: Woolnough Bookbinding Ltd.Google Scholar
Ugeni, F. (1993). Developing Malawi's first computer aptitude test. Zomba: University of Malawi.Google Scholar
Van de Vijver, F.J.R. & Poortinga, Y.H. (1991). Testing across cultures. In Hambleton, H.R.K., & Zaal, J.. (Eds.). Advances in education and psychological testing. Boston: Kluwer Academic Publishers.Google Scholar
Van Dijk, M.P., & Marcussen, H.S. (1990). Industrialization in the Third World: The need for alternative strategies. London: Frank Cass.Google Scholar
Wainer, H. (1993). Measurement problems. Journal of Educational Measurement, 30, 121.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wang, Z.M. (1993). Psychology in China: A review dedicated to Li Chen. Annual Review of Psychology, 44, 87116.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wan-Rafaei, A.R. (1984). Achievement motivation and attribution of success in urban Malaysian ethnic groups. In Leong, Y.C., Chiam, H.K., & Chew, L.S.M.. (Eds.). Preparation for adulthood: Proceedings of Third Asian Workshop on Child and Adolescent Development (pp.266267). Kuala Lumpur: University of Malaya.Google Scholar
Wheeler, L., Deci, E.L., Reis, H.T., & Zuckerman, M. (1978). Interpersonal influence. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, p.131.Google Scholar
Wober, M. (1971). Adapting Dawson's traditional versus western attitudes scale and presenting some new information from Africa. British Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 10, 101113.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wober, M. (1975). Psychology in Africa. Plymouth: Clarke, Doble and Brenden Ltd.Google Scholar
World Health Organization. (1991). Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS): The STD/AIDS Control Programme. Weekly Epidemiological Record, 49, 361364.Google Scholar
Woher, M. (1993). The right question. Social Psychological and Marketing Research. Personal correspondence.Google Scholar
World Health Organization. (1993). AIDS - Global data. Weekly Epidemiological Record, 27, 193196.Google Scholar