Psychology, Development and Social Policy in India


Book Description

This book examines how and where psychology can engage itself in the framing of social policies for national as well as human development in India. Although the role that psychological knowledge can play in informing social policy decisions has been discussed for a long time, psychologists by and large have had little role in framing policy decisions related to such important domains as education, health, social justice and social inclusion. Policy makers, not only in India, but more or less everywhere have focused on interventions at the macro level, which has led them to ignore the root causes of the problems lying at the micro level. However, with the more humanistic approaches now being followed by economists and other social scientists, the person in society is slowly taking centrestage. Micro-level variables like happiness, the wellbeing of individuals and the social relationships within which people define themselves are becoming important. Therefore, this book discusses important psychological issues related to human development; particularly, health and education, social justice, social integration, environment and work organizations, besides focusing on some general issues relating to the logic of making social policies. It is a first-ever attempt in India to inform policy makers about how micro-variables can be a crucial factor to consider while framing social policies.




The Routledge International Handbook of Language Education Policy in Asia


Book Description

This must-have handbook offers a comprehensive survey of the field. It reviews the language education policies of Asia, encompassing 30 countries sub-divided by regions, namely East, Southeast, South and Central Asia, and considers the extent to which these are being implemented and with what effect. The most recent iteration of language education policies of each of the countries is described and the impact and potential consequence of any change is critically considered. Each country chapter provides a historical overview of the languages in use and language education policies, examines the ideologies underpinning the language choices, and includes an account of the debates and controversies surrounding language and language education policies, before concluding with some predictions for the future.




Psychological Perspectives on Diversity and Social Development


Book Description

This book is a collection of essays covering a range of issues related to socioeconomic inequalities and diversities. The authors, leading social scientists of diverse nationalities, represent varied perspectives. The book has essays on multiculturalism, social inclusion and exclusion of minorities and other marginalized groups such as low castes, linguistic minorities, Adivasis (tribals), persons with disability and unemployed youth. The book focuses on some innovative concepts considered necessary to understand the very process and evolution of aspects of social development such as pro-sociality, authentic responsible self and leadership ideology. The book deals with the challenges for achieving social development and societal harmony. The book will be a very useful resource for social science scholars and particularly for social and cultural psychologists, development professionals and administrators interested in the issues related to social development, social diversity and inter-group relations. The book will also be useful for policy formulation and action.




Psycho-Social Analysis of the Indian Mindset


Book Description

​This volume situates Indians in the contemporary world and profiles the major facets of their thought and behaviour; then goes back to trace their roots to ancient thought to see how the past predisposes and the present guides Indians in their everyday life. The volume begins with a conceptual framework showing how the Indian worldview has encompassed and enveloped a variety of ideas and influences from divergent sources. As a result, Indians are both collectivists and individualists, hierarchically oriented while respecting merit and quality, religious as well as secular and sexually indulgent, spiritual as well as materialists, excessively dependent but remarkably entrepreneurial, non-violent in principle but violent in practice and comfortable in shifting between analytical, synthetic as well as intuitive approaches to reality. Such a coexistence of opposites often causes inaction, hesitation and perfunctory action, but also equips Indians to be innovative by continuously aligning their thought and behaviour to the demands of a milieu. The milieu has an inner layer consisting of desh (place), kaal (time) and paatra (person), which are embedded in the larger societal contexts of castes and classes, poverty, corruption, fragmenting politics, conflicts and violence and unfolding global opportunities and challenges. Cultural heritage permeates in all these. Indians function in this tiered, multifactorial, dynamic space. This volume draws evidence from ancient texts and the latest national and international research, many of which were conducted by the author and his associates. It does not, however, hesitate to indulge in anecdotal evidence, cases and speculative ideas in order to complete the picture. The author takes an in-depth view of the Indian mindset without getting the reader lost in either the intricacies of ancient philosophical abyss or the trivialities of present-day non-events.




Understanding Psychology in the Context of Relationship, Community, Workplace and Culture


Book Description

This book explores the significant deliverables of psychology to society in five sections: identity and relationship, psychology for gainful employment, psychology customized to the community, culturally embedded psychology and alternatives for maximizing psychology. The authors, social scientists of diverse nationalities, represent novel psychological methods, tools and procedures that can have immense social utility in strengthening the relationship and rejuvenating the community. The first section offers an in-depth perspective on the dynamics between identity and relationship. The second section encompasses psychology's contribution in addressing community-based issues like farmer suicide, cyberbullying, smartphone overuse, substance abuse and collective environmental behaviour. The authors in the third section have deliberated upon the behavioural issues pertinent for gainful employment. The fourth section delineates the influence of culture on specific psychological processes. The last section touches upon means beyond conventional strategies, techniques and approaches that may augment psychology's deliverability. The chapters in this book are based upon evidence-based scholarships from seven different countries. As such, it represents an invaluable resource for research scholars and academicians in psychology, human resource managers and mental health practitioners.







Neoliberalization of English Language Policy in the Global South


Book Description

This book investigates different ways in which neoliberal language and teaching policies have influenced the English language in global south countries across Asia, Africa and Latin America. Through the three main sub themes covered by the book, namely Neoliberalism and English Language Teaching Policies, Neoliberalism Ideology as in English Language Teaching Materials, and Experiences of Neoliberal Subjects, it investigates various aspects and means through which neoliberalism is realized in a variety of contexts. Through the first subtheme the volume covers the English language education policies of Chile, Bangladesh, India, and Morocco. The second sub theme concerns how different neoliberal values such as consumerism, entrepreneurship, and individualism are localized and constructed in the locally developed English language materials of Thailand, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Vietnam. The third sub theme includes studies on the impact of neoliberalization of English in relation to Colombian, Brazilian, and Pakistani stakeholders. This book is a valuable resource for academics, postgraduate students, researchers, policy makers, educators, and practitioners who are interested in neoliberalism in English language.




Mutual Intercultural Relations


Book Description

In culturally diverse societies, one of the biggest questions on our minds is 'how shall we all live together?' Mutual Intercultural Relations offers an answer to this fundamental and topical issue. By exploring intercultural relationships between dominant/national and non-dominant/ethnic populations in seventeen societies around the world, the contributors are each able to chart the respective views of those populations and to generate 'general' principles of intercultural relations. The research reported in this book is guided by three psychological hypotheses which are evaluated by empirical research: multiculturalism, contact and integration. It was also carried out comparatively in order to gain knowledge about intercultural relations that may be general and not limited to a few social and political contexts. Understanding these general principles will offer help in the development of public policies and programmes designed to improve the quality of intercultural relations in culturally diverse societies around the world.




The Handbook of Bilingual and Multilingual Education


Book Description

The Handbook of Bilingual and Multilingual Education presents the first comprehensive international reference work of the latest policies, practices, and theories related to the dynamic interdisciplinary field of bilingual and multilingual education. Represents the first comprehensive reference work that covers bilingual, multilingual, and multicultural educational policies and practices around the world Features contributions from 78 established and emerging international scholars Offers extensive coverage in sixteen chapters of language and education issues in specific and diverse regional/geographic contexts, including South Africa, Mexico, Latvia, Cambodia, Japan, and Texas Covers pedagogical issues such as language assessment as well as offering evolving perspectives on the needs of specific learner populations, such as ELLs, learners with language impairments, and bilingual education outside of the classroom




Handbook on the State of the Art in Applied Psychology


Book Description

Learn the most up-to-date developments in applied psychology with one authoritative collection The Handbook on the State of the Art in Applied Psychology delivers 19 state-of-the-art addresses on a selected topic in applied psychology. Together, they constitute an up-to-date and authoritative reference that describes the most cutting-edge material in the most prominent domains of applied psychology. The accomplished academics and editors Dr. Peter Graf and Dr. David Dozois put the focus on areas where the most profound recent progress has been made. They also emphasize the link between science and practice, showcasing basic science research that has practical implications for real world problems. Readers will benefit from up-to-date research on topics as varied as occupational commitment and organizational productivity, forgiveness, shared cultural spaces, environmental decision making, and the early identification of reading problems. In addition to the papers included in the collection, the Handbook on the State of the Art in Applied Psychology features: An insightful preface focused on the theme of connecting basic research to practical solutions in the real world An overview of the chapters and their arrangement in the collection An author and subject index to assist readers in finding the information they seek A focus on the most cutting-edge advancements in the field of applied psychology, with an emphasis on the impact of technological innovation and increased recognition of cultural determinants of behavior Perfect for applied psychology researchers, workers, teachers, and students around the world, Handbook on the State of the Art in Applied Psychology also belongs on the bookshelves of anyone looking for an efficient way to get up to speed on the latest developments on a wide variety of relevant topics in applied psychology.