Indonesian Students’ Representation on Psychology and Social Change: Challenge for Curriculum Progression

Abstract

As a science, psychology experiences paradoxical condition. There is indeed a recognition that its applications in the educational, clinical, and industrial fields have proliferated extensively in Indonesia. However, there are criticisms that 1) psychology mimics natural science epistemology, 2) the identity of Indonesian Psychology is still in the "status quo", 3) its role in designing social change is minimal (e.g. "Mental Revolution" movement in Indonesia is considered to be more influenced by Sociology rather than Psychology proponents), 4) psychology tends to prioritize the well-being of the elite (sociallyeconomically) of society, not the poorest. This study used a qualitative descriptive approach to explore the social representation on the perceptions of university students about the contribution of psychology in inspiring them to create social change. Participants of this study were 104 Psychology students (28 males, 76 females; 101 undergraduate, 3 graduate students) in Jakarta, Banten, Westand Central Java, Indonesia. We asked them a) the reason for choosing Psychology study program, b) the meaning of social change, c) the psychological courses associated with social change, d) the social problems urgent to be managed by psychology, and e) what their own plans are in making the change. Generality and uniqueness of the participants' answers will be discussed so as to generate suggestions for psychology curriculum development that is more contextual, innovative, and empowering in Indonesia.

Political psychology of Indonesian political figure: A case study of a political entrepreneur who is not hesitant in paving a new way

“…He continuously emphasizes his focus on transforming the country into a corruption-free and tolerant nation. This present study supports the proposition of Abraham and Prayoga (2017) that Indonesian laypersons need to be empowered by the community of psychology scientists, among others through the study's publication in this International Journal of Research Studies in Psychology, by leveraging their psychological capacity to understand and take effective political action, e.g. via Presidential Election 2019, for recreating their fate in better directions.…”

Political psychology of Indonesian political figure: A case study of a political entrepreneur who is not hesitant in paving a new way

“…This present study supports the proposition of Abraham and Prayoga (2017) that Indonesian laypersons need to be empowered by the community of psychology scientists, among others through the study's publication in this International Journal of Research Studies in Psychology, by leveraging their psychological capacity to understand and take effective political action, e.g. via Presidential Election 2019, for recreating their fate in better directions.…”