Repression and revival of psychology in post-revolutionary Iran

MENA Dubai 2003 Abstract

Author Amir H. Mehryay
Copy Although taught as part of education and philosophy courses since the establishment of Tehran University in 1934, psychology as an independent academic discipline did not exist before 1960. It was thus in its early teens when the Islamic revolution broke out (1978). Despite the active participation of psychologists in the revolution which led to the appointment of several academic psychologists and psychiatrists to ministerial positions, psychology as a discipline came under increasing attack by revolutionary groups and students on both sides of the political spectrum.

While the leftist students attacked psychology for representing the "decadent imperialist" worldview represented by the USA, the rightist Islamic groups accused it of being ignorant of the Islamic tenets and teachings on psyche, mental health, and spiritual values. Backed by Imam Khomeini and other religious leaders involved in the revolution, the latter group viewed the revolution in exclusively religious/Islamic terms and was determined to Islamicise all social institutions created by the old regime, including universities, scientific disciplines and professional organizations. To this end, less than two years after the revolution, all universities were closed down under the banner of Cultural Revolution.

The aim of this paper is to review the process and outcome of the Cultural Revolution and its impact on psychology. It will be shown that despite criticisms and hardships experienced during the first years after the revolution, psychology as an academic discipline has grown enormously with almost all public and private universities offering courses leading to a BA degree in psychology.