Exploring the possibility to conduct indigenous and cross-indigenous psychology in Malaysia and Singapore

Abstract

Various researchers' views of indigenous study are presented in the introduction. For instance, Sinha( 1993) perceives indigenization as a way to transfer scientific and psychological knowledge from the West. Berry (1993) defines it as the scientific study of human behavior (or the mind) that is native. Indigenous study is defined as a subset of cross-cultural psychology. Research directions of indigenous studies, from universal to indigenous approach and vice versa, are discussed. Malaysia and Singapore are natural environments where indigenous and cross-indigenous studies can and should take place. An indigenous study in the Malaysian and Singaporean context refers to comparative studies of behaviors (and/or thinking patterns) of various ethnic groups within a national boundary. Cross-indigenous studies in the similar context include investigations across national boundary. An example of cross-indigenous studies as such is the investigation of behaviors (and/ or thinking patterns) between the Chinese living in Singapore and those living in Australia or in other countries. A few areas for cross-indigenous research are suggested. There are multiculturalism and multilingualism, patterns of socialization, attitudes, cognitive styles and group phenomenon. Models of indigenous, cross-indigenous as well as cross-cultural studies are presented.