The Emergence of Psychology; Indian Perspective:-

Abstract

(This article explores the evolution of psychology in India, tracing its development from both
colonial influences and deep-rooted Indian philosophical traditions. It highlights how
pioneers like Dr. N. N. Sengupta and Girindrasekhar Bose contributed to the foundation of
modern Indian psychology, while also addressing the role of ancient Indian philosophies in
shaping psychological thought. The article further discusses the current situation of
psychology in India, particularly its growing relevance in education and mental health, as
well as the critical shortage of trained psychologists. New educational policies, such as NEP
2024, emphasize the importance of psychological approaches in holistic and
multidisciplinary learning. Additionally, the article examines the future of psychology in
India, stressing the need for a scientific understanding of crime and its prevention through
psychological methods, rather than focusing solely on punitive measures. It emphasizes that
psychology holds the potential to contribute to crime prevention, education, and the mental
well-being of society as a whole.)

Psychology… It has been an intriguing topic or subject, with nearly everyone having
their own perspective on what it entails. Some may jokingly ask you to read their mind when
they learn you are going to be a psychologist. Others may mention they have OCD simply
because they like to keep their surroundings tidy. Then there are others who would
disapprove of you because according to them; psychology is nothing but having common
sense. They say you are wasting your time by studying psychology. While there are many of
these popular assumptions and opinions on Psychology as a “study”, what exactly is
Psychology?

Defining Psychology:

Psychology has been defined in various ways throughout the history, largely due to its
evolution as an independent discipline from Philosophy. The philosophical discussion on the
human mind and behavior dates back to the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Persia, China,
Greece and India. The word “Psyche”, which essentially means “Soul” (from which the first
half of the term psychology is derived), is used by ancient Greek Philosophers as early as 550
BC. Initially, philosophers defined psychology as “the study of soul”, which modern

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psychologists disapproved of, because “soul” is more of an “idea” than an observable part of
the human body. Similarly, the definition of psychology being the “study of mind” has also
been rejected since psychology is concerned with the overall behavior and mental process of
humans. Hence, modern psychology is now defined as “the study of Behaviour and Cognitive
process”.

While every early civilization and their philosophy contributed more or less to the
idea of studying the human mind, the role of Indian Philosophy on Psychology as a science,
and the contributions to the developing need of psychology in the Indian context is
particularly notable. Indian philosophy, which is greatly influenced by religion, places a
profound emphasis on the concept of moksha or nirvana which is similar to “self-
actualization” of human beings, though in a more spiritual context.

The influence of Indian Philosophy on Psychology in India:

Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism in Indian philosophy belong to the school of

Idealism, much like how Charvaka’s philosophy belongs to Materialism. However, both of
these schools explored human behavior in response to society. Studies suggest that
rudimentary theories of consciousness existed during the Indus Valley Civilization, which
thrived between 3300 and 1300 BCE. Buddhist, Jain, and Hindu philosophies were developed
within much more advanced civilizations compared to the Indus Valley. Buddhism and
Jainism viewed the physical world as something to overcome or an obstacle to achieving the
purest form of consciousness, or moksha. These two schools of thought, however, adopt a
middle path between idealism and materialism in their understanding of human
consciousness and duty in the material world. In contrast, Hinduism, which aligns more fully
with idealist philosophy, delves into how the soul perceives the world. Charvaka’s
philosophy, known as Lokayata, is rooted in materialism and rejects inference as a valid
source of knowledge.

As we explore the basics of Indian philosophy and the schools they belong to, we will
move forward to understanding how these philosophies contributed to the field of
psychology, and the significant practices or thoughts on the human mind that remain relevant
today.

The Four Noble Truths of Buddhist philosophy, the Eightfold Path, and Buddhist
meditation techniques play a significant role in modern psychology, particularly in Buddhist

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psychology. Similarly, the Vedas and Upanishads discuss man's role in his environment and
what he must do to achieve the state of nirvana or moksha. The Buddhist Abhidhamma
discusses traits, emotions, and personality types, while the Bhagavad Gita's primary ideas of
karma, bhakti, raja, and gyana are quite similar to Maslow's meta-motivation theory.
Lokayata claims that pleasure is the ultimate good and purpose of life, asserting that direct
perception through the five sensory organs is the only reality. This is somewhat related to
William James' approach to psychology and Freud's psychodynamic theory.

Humanity across the world has always been curious about what goes on inside our
minds, as well as our place in the universe. As we explore different philosophical schools, we
naturally encounter theories related to modern-day psychology. However, psychology is not
just about philosophy and its perspectives on the world. It is deeply concerned with each
individual's uniqueness and how people adapt to their environment. This means that while
exploring the roots of psychology in philosophy is important, it is not enough to fully
understand how psychology has evolved into the scientific study of behavior and cognitive
processes. Now, let us look into the modern history of psychology in India.

Modern History of Psychology in India:

The impact of colonization on the emergence of modern psychology in India is

significant. During British colonization, universities and colleges were established,
introducing a Western academic framework into the Indian educational system. Psychology
was still a developing field of study in Europe, but it greatly influenced a few Indian scholars
who later played a pioneering role in establishing the history of modern psychology in India.
In 1916, Dr. N. N. Sengupta established a separate department for psychology at the
University of Calcutta. This was later developed by Girindrasekhar Bose, a colleague and
student of Sigmund Freud. In 1924, Dr. N. N. Sengupta also founded the Indian
Psychological Association. Mysore University and Lucknow University established separate
departments for psychology in 1924 and 1929, respectively. Later, institutions such as
Aligarh Muslim University, Punjab University, Madras University, and Patna University
followed suit.

In the early days of emerging modern psychology in India, the field was greatly
influenced by Western ideals and approaches, which were, however, somewhat alien to the
Indian context.

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 While Western influence laid the groundwork for a formal and scientific approach to
psychology in India, it also presented challenges. During colonization, the British were not
particularly interested in developing psychology or any other social science in the countries
they colonized. Even when there was a need for psychology in India, the field did not receive
much encouragement until after independence. A study conducted by Shri Dharma Vir
discussed the need for psychology in India and suggested that its development should be a
goal included in the second Five-Year Plan. Today, psychology is a well-established field of
study in India, with courses available from the undergraduate level to PhD or Psy.D.
programs.

The Present Situation of Psychology in India:

Psychology is becoming increasingly popular as the need for psychological help and
mental health awareness grows day by day. According to an article published by *The
Hindu* On 10th March 2024, 10% of Indians will need psychological support at some point
in their lives. To provide support for everyone who might need it, India would require at least
35 million trained psychologists, but we are woefully short of this number. The article
discussed various teaching professionals' opinions on the current need for psychology and
presented different perspectives, including mental health support for women, workplaces, and
educational institutions.

Psychology in the Field of Education:

Many schools have started to include psychology in their curriculum, and some now have at
least one school-level counselor to support students. Although many schools still lack this
facility, it is likely that this will improve in the near future. The new education policies,
particularly NEP 2024, and updates to the syllabus, are emphasizing the importance of a
psychological approach to a child's cognitive and emotional development, in addition to
learning subjects like science and languages. A key point in the recent education policy is the
focus on multidisciplinary learning and a holistic approach. This is a significant shift from
traditional methods of teaching in India, and it suggests that the future will be shaped by
individuals who have had the opportunity to become their best selves, not just those who
contribute to society in conventional ways. In my view, this is a major step forward.

Need of the Hour: Psychological Help

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In today’s world, psychological help is no longer a necessity limited to the privileged class.
With increasing awareness, people from all social settings are seeking psychological support,
whether in child care, schools, offices, or hospitals. More individuals are educating
themselves to better understand their own psychological well-being. In my view, we are at a
crucial moment where the demand for psychology is rapidly growing—not only from those
who need mental health assistance but also from those who aspire to study and contribute to
the field.

The Future of Psychology in India:

Psychology is one of the most versatile subjects. It can be applied in all fields and will surely
contribute wherever it is needed. I would like to share my views on the need for psychology
in our country, based on the current situation and various incidents occurring across India
today.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health disorders account for
about 15% of the global disease burden, and in India, it's estimated that 7.5% of the
population suffers from some form of mental disorder. Yet, India faces a significant shortage
of mental health professionals. For example, for every 100,000 people, there are only about
0.75 psychologists, which highlights the urgent need for more trained professionals to meet
this increasing demand.

Psychology for Understanding Crime and Prevention:

There is a specific field of psychology known as *criminal psychology*, so there is no need

to explain in detail how psychology is essential in understanding why crimes happen and how
to prevent them. However, in my opinion, we are not placing enough importance on the
scientific study of crime, instead focusing primarily on "punishment."

Yes, punishment does have an impact and can serve its purpose (as seen in how operant
conditioning involves different styles of punishment). But the question remains—has crime
stopped occurring?

Psychology is the only field that can thoroughly analyze this situation and suggest methods
for building a better society with individuals who have control over their impulses, who are
mature enough not to harm others to get what they want. There is a clear need for psychology
to be more involved in addressing this issue. By studying criminals, approaching the problem

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scientifically, and working towards educating people across different settings, ages, and
economic backgrounds, psychology can play a vital role in crime prevention. I will defend
my views with similar ideas told by a few other psychologists, in the following paragraph.

Hugo Münsterberg, often referred to as the father of forensic psychology, argued that
psychology could be used to analyze criminal minds and improve the legal system, aiding in
the prevention of crime. B.F. Skinner, a renowned behaviorist, believed that criminal actions
could be controlled through behavioral conditioning, suggesting that reinforcing positive
behaviors and discouraging negative ones could steer individuals away from crime. Albert
Bandura’s social learning theory further supported this by highlighting how criminal behavior
is often learned through observation and imitation of others, particularly in environments
where violence is prevalent. By addressing these environmental factors and promoting
positive role models, psychology could help mitigate the influence of harmful behaviors.
Hans Eysenck’s research into personality traits also pointed to the importance of early
intervention, as he suggested that certain personality types are more predisposed to
criminality. Thus, by identifying at-risk individuals early and implementing psychological
interventions, society could prevent criminal tendencies from developing further. These
perspectives collectively argue that psychology is not only crucial in understanding the roots
of criminal behavior but also in developing effective strategies to prevent it, emphasizing the
importance of incorporating psychological insights into crime prevention efforts.

In conclusion, psychology in India has evolved from a blend of colonial influences and its
own rich philosophical traditions, making it a unique field that continues to grow in
relevance. As the country faces increasing challenges in education, mental health, and crime
prevention, psychology offers invaluable insights and solutions. The incorporation of
psychology into educational policies and institutions reflects the growing recognition of its
importance in cognitive and emotional development. However, the critical shortage of trained
professionals remains a major obstacle, especially given the rising demand for mental health
support. Moving forward, there is an urgent need to address this gap, ensuring that
psychological services become more accessible across all social settings. Additionally, the
future of psychology must involve a more scientific and comprehensive approach to
understanding and preventing crime, creating a society where individuals are better equipped
to manage their impulses and live harmoniously. Psychology, therefore, is not just a field of
study but a vital tool for social reform and personal well-being in India.

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5. Sharma, R. (2015). Mental health services in India: Challenges and opportunities. Indian
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Government of India. Retrieved from
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8. World Health Organization (WHO). (2017). Depression and other common mental
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[Link]

Manaswini Oggu

724202053013

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