Psychology in Asia An Introduction

Preface

Notes on Contributors

1. Introduction: What Is Psychology?

Bernard P. H. Wong and Jason T. S. Chow

2. Research Methods and Statistics: What Makes Psychology Believable?

Bernard P. H. Wong and Jason T. S. Chow

3. Philosophical Roots of Asian Psychology

Catherine T. L. Sun

4. Biological Psychology

Alex W. O. Li

5. Consciousness: How We Perceive and Become Aware of Our World

Alex W. O. Li

6. Learning and Memory: How Do We Learn and Retain New Knowledge?

Alex W. O. Li

7. Motivation and Emotions: What Guides Our Behavior?

Jason T. S. Chow and Sharon S. W. Hsu

8. Growth and Development: A Process of Changes

Ruth D. Zhou

 9. Gender and Sexuality

Bobo H. P. and Sharon S. W. Hsu

10. Personality: Dimension, Structure and Development

Jason T. S. Chow

11. Psychological Disorders

Bess Y. H. Lam and Sharon S. W. Hsu

12. Psychotherapies: What can be done when the mind is unwell?

Thomas A. Seay and Catherine T. L. Sun

13. Culture and Social Behavior

Catherine T. L. Sun

14. Health Psychology

Winnie W. Y. Yuen

15. Positive Psychology: How to Live the Good Life

Winnie W. Y. Yuen

16. Tenets of Asian Psychology

Catherine T. L. Sun

17. Psychology and the Professions: What Do Students of Psychology Do When They Graduate?

Catherine T. L. Sun

18. The Next Steps: The Future of Psychology

Bernard P. H. Wong and Jason T. S Chow

Glossary

Index

Biography

Catherine Tien-Lun Sun is recognized as a leader and pioneer in Chinese psychology and counselling. She is currently Professor of Counselling and Psychology as well as Senior Vice President at Hong Kong Shue Yan University, an institution founded on the preservation and propagation of traditional Chinese culture and the educational ideals of Confucianism. As the former Head of the only department to offer undergraduate counselling training in Hong Kong, and as founding President of the Asian Professional Counselling and Psychology Association and President of the Asia Pacific Rim Confederation of Counsellors, Sun is regarded as a leader and chief architect of the development of counselling and psychological therapy in Asia.

Jason Tak-Sang Chow is Associate Professor of Counselling and Psychology, Acting Associate Academic Vice President (Teaching and Learning Development) and Director of the Student Learning and Development Laboratory at Hong Kong Shue Yan University. As a social psychologist, Chow's primary research interests encompass self-control, motivation, and human resilience, with a particular focus on the motivational aspects of self-regulation, as well as investigating the causes and consequences of human resilience.

'This is a wonderful book for a better understanding of the complexities of psychological research across Asian countries. I particularly appreciate the historical review of psychology in Asia and the acknowledgement that Asia comprises so many different traditions, cultures, languages, and approaches to psychology. We need to know much more about psychological principles in Asian contexts, and we equally need to understand the complexities of Asia, particularly beyond the arguably better studied East Asia. I highly recommend this volume to anyone seeking to understand the basics of psychological research in Asia and to those engaging in research anywhere in Asia. What a great resource from which to build future psychological research in the largest and most populous continent in the world.'

Professor Cammie McBride, Department of Human Development and Family Science, Purdue University, USA

'This comprehensive textbook stands out from other introductory psychology textbooks with its astute consideration of Asia's rich history and cultural context. The authors skilfully incorporate mainstream psychological theories and studies with culturally relevant examples and concepts, making it an invaluable resource for anyone eager to explore the intricate connection between psychology and Asian culture.'

Professor Sylvia Xiaohua Chen, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong; Past President, Asian Association of Social Psychology; Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology