Psychology in India has for many years been involved in understanding the various layers of social change, education, mental health, and human behavior. But for this other unique field to find organized directions of development, an institution was needed that would not just establish the relevance of psychology in the Indian context but would also render a common platform for psychologists, educators, and researchers of the country. This thought and objective gave rise to NAOP, i.e., the National Academy of Psychology.
History of Psychology: Need After Independence
Post-1947, many significant developments began to happen in education, health, and the society of India. However, the pace of public discussions and research on issues related to mental health and human behavior remained rather slow. While psychology in the West was at its peak academically and professionally, its role and identity in India were just beginning to take shape.
In the 50s and 60s, a few top educationists and psychologists felt the need for an independent indigenous approach for the understanding of the diversity, cultural milieu, and social complexities of Indian society. And this is where the idea of an institution like NAOP is born.
Initial Thought and Need
The formation of NAOP stemmed from a very simple thought, “Can psychology in India be developed in its indigenous context?” Western-modelled psychology could not, for example, into consideration every facet of a multilingual, multi-religious and diverse society like India. The Indian psychologist needs a platform wherein he/she can go in for research, exchange ideas and articulate the role of psychology in solving the problems of the country.
Formal Establishment: A Landmark
In 1989 came the formal establishment of NAOP, the historical occasion made possible through the vision, determination, and labors of many eminent psychologists. Among the illustrious names are included Prof. Girishwar Mishra, Prof. Janaki Santosh, Prof. B.N. Mukherjee, and Prof. J.B. Shah, who were instrumental in shaping this institution.
The main purpose in establishing NAOP included:
- To improve the quality of psychology in India.
- To connect research to the Indian context.
- To bring together students, teachers and professionals.
- To present India’s psychological perspective in international forums.
Workshops and Annual Conferences: A newly opened platform for dialogue
An important thing, NAOP has made discussions related to psychology in India fairly public. Academicians, researchers and students from all over the country started participating in its annual meetings. These conferences came to be a forum wherein various aspects of psychology—social psychology, developmental psychology, health psychology, environmental psychology, to name just a few—were discussed.
Research papers are presented in these meetings, ideas are exchanged, and the direction of future research is decided. Not only that, young students also get guidance from the country’s senior-most experts.
Publishing “Psychological Studies”: Expansion of knowledge
“Psychological Studies” is the main research journal under NAOP and one of the most important accomplishments of this institution. This research journal enjoys national and international recognition. It publishes papers on the topics of psychological research in the areas of Indian society, culture and behaviour.
This journal is a strong medium to convey scientific perspective to the general public, which in turn facilitates both academic and professional development of psychology.
Organizational structure and democratic working style
NAOP works in a democratic manner. Its executive body is formed by elected members-President, Vice President, General Secretary, Treasurer and other members-elected by the general body from among the general members for a period of few years. The membership is open to students, teachers, researchers and professionals.
Since it is not affiliated to any particular university or government body, it retains its independence and impartiality without being compromised. It works independently and collaborates with other institutions for the betterment of psychology.
Challenges and Future Directions
While NAOP has put Indian psychology on a firm footing, it has also at different times had to face a number of challenges, some of which include:
- Lack of funding
- Difficulty of access into rural and backward areas;
- Domination of the English language, hence making research in Hindi or other languages rather difficult
- Societal stereotypes against mental health.
Another set of these challenges has been accepted and put through its continuous efforts at improvement. Digital networking, online workshops, and regional work meetings are evidence that the organization too is becoming responsive to changes in its environment.
The NAOP Today: Hope for a New Generation
Today NAOP has morphed into not simply another academic institution but is now a movement. A spur to young Indian psychologists who are working to find local and culturally relevant solutions to the mental health issues of the nation.
The new generation of researchers is now working in villages, cities, tribal areas, schools and hospitals of India to understand the ‘Indian mind’. This change is an achievement of NAOP’s slogan: “We have our own problems, and we have to find their solutions ourselves”.
Conclusion
Formation of NAOP was more than the establishment of an organization; it was an idea-the idea that psychology should develop in an Indian context and be understood in terms of the needs of Indian Society. This institution is the identity of the thinking that science and society should go together. The relevance of NAOP in today’s context has gone up all the more when mental health issues have come into discussion even at global platforms. It not only shows us to the past but sheds light on the path we ought to tread in creating a country where psychology is not just a subject but rather could become an integral part of every person’s life.
