Indigenization of psychology in the Arab world

MENA Dubai 2003 Abstract

Author Omar Haroun Khaleefa Al Hassan
Copy The study investigated the content analysis and indigenization of creativity, intelligence and giftedness in research in the Arab world. The sample of study constituted 50 studies both empirical (n=35), and theoretical (n=15), in 18 journals, local (n=15) and international (n=3), published between 1984 and 1997. The study showed that Arab research is characterized by a single paradigm, which is a descriptive or psychometric one, in contrast to worldwide research which employs multiple-type designs. The study showed, in general, that the process of indigenizing of psychology is slow, compared to that achieved in India. However, research published by Arab psychologists in international journals and allied fields are more sensitive to the local culture than research published in regional journals. The study suggested the need for both indigenous and cross-cultural studies of creativity, intelligence and giftedness, which can lead to the development of a true universal or global understanding.