On the Nature of Mind

Mind is the pivotal concept crucial for understanding psychological processes in all their complexity. This chapter presents a comprehensive analysis of the concept of mind from Indian and Western perspectives. After presenting a brief review of Western theories of mind, a discussion of the concept of mind in classical orthodox and heterodox Indian systems of thought is offered. An effort is also made to describe the ways in which the Western and Indian perspectives differ and yet complement each other. After discussing cognition, mind, consciousness, self, paranormal phenomena, Karma, Sanskāras, and Jīva, it is argued that these perspectives are mutually complementary and capable of generating reinforcing models. Together, they enable us to have a more complete picture of humans, how they function, and what may be done to harness mind’s full potential for human development and enabling wholesome functioning of the person.

Evolution of Individual and Social Behaviour

This chapter relates to the emerging field of evolutionary psychology. Building on past research understanding of the mechanisms underlying animal behavior is presented. Current researches in this field offer many insights into the development of social behaviours displayed among humans. The contribution of animal behaviour research to unravel the evolution of individual and social behaviours including foraging strategies, reproductive systems, social behaviour, dominance hierarchies, social communication, parental investment patterns, evolution of eusociality, among others, are highlighted. Finally, the applications of animal behaviour studies in the area of wildlife such as conservation, management of national parks, and zoo management are indicated. It may be noted that the developments in the area of animal behavior are impressive and are perhaps as good as noted in allied disciplines of anthropology and zoology. However, animal behaviour research is currently an underdeveloped field of psychology. India could perhaps rejuvenate its close association with animal world and nature, a main part of its mythology and real life, by developing this area.

The Mundane and Incorporeal Aspects of Yoga Psychology

This chapter reviews the developments in yoga psychology. While the Yoga Sūtras are pre-eminently psychological in nature, the treatment of psychological phenomena has been attempted from the perspective of self-realization. The functional mind (citta) comprises not only cognitive, affective and conative processes (Karmas), but also contains instinctual tendencies (vāsanās) that are inherited from previous lives as subliminal-impressions (samskāras). These vāsanās and samskāras tend to colour our cognitions and predispose us to behave in certain ways. The chapter critically analyses these key concepts and situates them in contemporary psychological context. A brief description of the Jaina and Buddhist yoga systems and other varieties of yoga that are prevalent today is also provided. Finally, a review of the empirical studies is presented that showcases the mundane and incorporeal aspects of yoga psychology and outlines several issues for further investigation.

Facing the Challenge

This chapter outlines the key challenges that psychology faces in India. It elaborates upon the four aspects of this challenge: the interdisciplinary nature of the problems of mind and behaviour; the need for integrative view of mental problems; the rigorous effort necessary for the development of appropriate methods and measures; and the need to relate psychology to cultural and social realities of the country. The discipline needs to reposition itself to meet the challenges of society and promotion of scholarship by adopting an integrative pedagogical approach. As the discipline has become multivocal, multidirectional, and struggling to reorient and address culturally relevant issues, a paradigm shift is needed. The signs of decolonization of mind are appearing. The teaching and practice of psychology is going beyond the received positivist and predominantly unicultural model. East and West do not stand face to face but pave the way for new integrative science of mind.

Wanted a New Conceptual Framework for Doing Psychology in India

Addressing the social inequalities and their influences on behaviour and striving for work towards a change in institutions and systems that perpetuate injustice and inequities implies a commitment to a social justice agenda. It is this commitment and the research and practice it seeks to generate that can be termed as the public psychology perspective. It pursues the quest for social change by an ethic that emphasizes distributive justice and human rights and advocates for policies that maximize the accessibility of resources to the disenfranchised and disempowered sections of society in particular. This chapter focusses on the tenets of the public psychology perspective, drawing on the tradition of critical psychology and covers the efforts currently underway exemplified by this perspective, drawn from the fields of mental health and education.