The Decolonial and Indigenous Social Psychology Syllabus
The Decolonial and Indigenous Social Psychology Syllabus
Last updated: December 2025
Recommended Citation: Decolonial and Indigenous Social Psychology Collective (in no particular order: Delos Santos, J. J. I., Flores, J. D. R., Robles, A. M. Q., Domingo, P. R. C., Montilla Doble, L. J., & Bries, F. S. M). (2025). Decolonial and Indigenous Social Psychology [Syllabus]. Department of Psychology, University of the Philippines Diliman. https://sites.google.com/up.edu.ph/decolonialsocialpsych
By the end of this course, you would be able to:
Describe key theories, concepts, and methodologies from different social psychological traditions;
Critique social psychological knowledges through cultural, indigenous, critical, and decolonial approaches;
Integrate knowledges from social psychology and parallel disciplines to understand Filipino behaviors and social issues, and;
Appreciate social psychology’s potential to promote equality, well-being, and positive social change.
By the end of this module, you would be able to:
Explain how cultural, historical, and political contexts inform the development of key ideas in social psychology.
Branscombe, N. R., & Baron, R. A. (2022). Social psychology (15th ed.). Pearson. [Chapter 1: Social Psychology, pp. 17–36]
Hamamura, T., Clemente, J. A. R., English, A. S., Ishii, K., & Siddiqui, R. N. (2024). Internationalising imperatives and decolonising aspirations: Navigating social psychology teaching in Asia. Asian Journal of Social Psychology, 27(4), 911–922. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajsp.12647
By the end of this module, you would be able to:
Explain how cultural, historical, and political contexts inform the development of key ideas in social psychology.
Adams, G., Estrada‐Villalta, S., Sullivan, D., & Markus, H. R. (2019). The psychology of neoliberalism and the neoliberalism of psychology. Journal of Social Issues, 75(1), 189–216. https://doi.org/10.1111/josi.12305
Readsura Decolonial Editorial Collective (in random order: Adams, G., Ratele, K., Suffla, S. & Reddy, G.). (2022). Psychology as a site for decolonial analysis. Journal of Social Issues, 78(2), 255–277. https://doi.org/10.1111/josi.12524
By the end of this module, you would be able to:
Describe the importance of cultural, indigenous, critical, and decolonial approaches in social psychology; and
Recognize the potential of intersectional and discursive methodologies in social psychological research for positive social change.
Greenfield, P. M. (2002). Three approaches to the psychology of culture: Where do they come from? Where can they go? Asian Journal of Social Psychology, 3, 223–240. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1111/1467-839X.00066 [pp. 223–226]
Parker, I. (2007). Critical psychology: What it is and what it is not. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 1(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1111%2Fj.1751-9004.2007.00008.x [pp. 1–3]
Decolonial Psychology Editorial Collective. (2021). General psychology Otherwise: A decolonial articulation. Review of General Psychology, 25(4), 339–353. https://doi.org/10.1177/10892680211048177 [pp. 339–340, 342–345]
Cole, E. R. (2009). Intersectionality and research in psychology. American Psychologist, 64(3), 170–180. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0014564 [pp. 170–171, Table 1 on p. 171]
By the end of this module, you would be able to:
Compare different definitions of the self across cultural, group, and constructionist/performative perspectives; and
Appreciate one’s dynamic selves in changing contexts.
Branscombe, N. R., & Baron, R. A. (2022). Social psychology (15th ed.). Pearson. [Chapter 4: The Self, pp. 128–129 and 133–138]
Yacat, J. A. (2005). Making sense of being and becoming Filipinos: An indigenous psychology perspective. Philippine Journal of Psychology, 38(2), 19–37.
By the end of this module, you would be able to:
Connect social psychological theories of social in/equality to relevant Filipino behaviors and social issues; and
Reflect on how social psychological knowledges can be used to advocate for ginhawa and social justice in one’s communities.
Sidanius, J., Pratto, F., Van Laar, C., & Levin, S. (2004). Social dominance theory: Its agenda and method. Political Psychology, 25(6), 845–880. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9221.2004.00401.x [pp. 845–848]
Jost, J. T., & Hunyady, O. (2005). Antecedents and consequences of system-justifying ideologies. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 14(5), 260–265. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0963-7214.2005.00377.x [pp. 260–261]
Sycip, L., Asis, M. M., & Luna, E. (2008). The measurement of Filipino well-being: Findings from the field. In C. J. Paz (Ed.), Ginhawa, kapalaran, dalamhati: Essays on well-being, opportunity/destiny and anguish (pp. 13–29). University of the Philippines Press.
By the end of this module, you would be able to:
Critique different approaches to the social psychological study of social class;
Explain how classism re/produces social inequalities in the Philippines on individual, interactional, institutional, and societal levels; and
Reflect on how social psychological knowledges can be used to promote well-being and class justice among poor and working class Filipinos.
Kraus, M. W., & Stephens, N. M. (2012). A road map for an emerging psychology of social class. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 6(9), 642–656. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-9004.2012.00453.x
Tuason, M. T. (2010). The poor in the Philippines: Some insights from psychological research. Psychology and Developing Societies, 22(2), 299–330. https://doi.org/10.1177/097133361002200204
By the end of this module, you would be able to:
Critique different approaches to the social psychological study of sex/gender and sexuality;
Explain how cisgenderism and hetero-/endo-/sexism re/produce social inequalities in the Philippines on individual, interactional, institutional, and societal levels; and
Reflect on how social psychological knowledges can be used to promote well-being and gender justice among women and LGBTQIA+ FIlipinos.
UP Rainbow Research Hub. (n.d.) Anong bet mo – girl, boy, bakla, tomboy? A SOGIE training. https://rainbowresearchhub.up.edu.ph/resources/anong-bet-mo-girl-boy-bakla-tomboy-a-sogie-training/
Riley, S., & Evans, A. (2025). Gender. In B. Gough (Ed.), The Palgrave handbook of critical social psychology (2nd ed., pp. 449–471). Palgrave Macmillan Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-80533-2_22 [pp. 449–455]
Clarke, V., Ellis, S. J., Peel, E., & Riggs, D. W. (2010). Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer psychology: An introduction. Cambridge University Press. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1017/CBO9780511810121 [pp. 25–35 of Chapter 2]
By the end of this module, you would be able to:
Critique different approaches to the social psychological study of health and dis/ability;
Explain how ableism re/produces social inequalities in the Philippines on individual, interactional, institutional, and societal levels; and
Reflect on how social psychological knowledges can be used to promote well-being and disability justice among sick Filipinos and Filipinos with disabilities.
Sins Invalid. (n.d.) 10 principles of disability justice. https://sinsinvalid.org/10-principles-of-disability-justice/
Hammoudeh, W., Kienzler, H., Meagher, K., & Giacaman, R. (2020). Social and political determinants of health in the occupied Palestine territory (oPt) during the COVID-19 pandemic: Who is responsible?. BMJ Global Health, 5(9), e003683. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2020-003683
Lasco, G., & Curato, N. (2019). Medical populism. Social Science & Medicine, 221, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2018.12.006
Bautista, V. B. (2025). Ang halaga at hamon ng pagdalumat sa ginhawa. In V. B. Bautista & D. L. A. Salvador (Eds.), Ang ginhawa bilang hangaran at balangkas (pp. 1–11). National Commission for Culture and the Arts/Pambansang Samahan sa Sikolohiyang Pilipino.
By the end of this module, you would be able to:
Compare hegemonic and indigenous approaches to social relations; and
Examine belonging in the context of Filipino social interactions using key concepts and theories in relationship/group processes and prosocial behavior.
Finkel, E. J., Simpson, J. A., & Eastwick, P. W. (2017). The psychology of close relationships: Fourteen core principles. Annual Review of Psychology, 68(1), 383–411. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-010416-044038 [Table 1 on p. 387, and pp. 388–401]
Pasco, A. C. Y., Morse, J. M., & Olson, J. K. (2004). Cross‐cultural relationships between nurses and Filipino Canadian patients. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 36(3), 239–246. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1547-5069.2004.04044.x
Galano, C. P. (2017). Ang loob at pakikipagkapwa sa kagandahang-loob: Pagsusuri sa pagpapakahulugan at mga pagpapahalaga ng kabataan. DIWA E-Journal, 5, 108–125. https://www.pssp.org.ph/diwa/diwa-5/
By the end of this module, you would be able to:
Compare the different facets of power proposed by relational and resource perspectives; and
Examine social power in the context of Philippine politics using social influence processes and Filipino cultural values.
Turner, J. C. (2005). Explaining the nature of power: A three-process theory. European Journal of Social Psychology, 35, 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejsp.244 [pp. 5–8]
Pratto, F., Lee, I., Tan, J., & Pitpitan, E. (2011). Power basis theory: A psychoecological approach to power. In D. Dunning (Ed.), Social motivation (pp. 191–222). Psychology Press. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203833995 [Table 10.1 on p. 197]
McDonald, R. I., & Crandall, C. S. (2015). Social norms and social influence. Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, 3, 147–151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cobeha.2015.04.006
Cornelio, J., & Lasco, G. (2020). Morality politics: Drug use and the Catholic Church in the Philippines. Open Theology, 6(1), 327–341. https://doi.org/10.1515/opth-2020-0112
By the end of this module, you would be able to:
Articulate the relationships between democracy, political beliefs and behaviors, and good citizenship;
Demonstrate the utility of attitudes and media theories in understanding the state of Philippine political and information ecosystem fragmentation; and
Assess the effectiveness of persuasion techniques, conflict resolution methods, and collective action in achieving positive social change.
Philippine Observatory on Democracy [POD]. (2025). A Weakening Attachment to Democracy? Less Than Half of Filipinos Prefer Democracy Today; Understanding Philippine Democracy in Key Urban Cities.
Gastardo-Conaco, M. C., & Quiñones, D. M. (2015). Ang antas ng pulitikal na pagkilos bilang epekto ng sosyal na identidad bilang Pilipino, ng mga representasyon tungkol sa demokratikong pagkamamamayan, at ng pulitikal na bisa. DIWA E-Journal, 3(1), 17–31. https://www.pssp.org.ph/diwa/diwa-3/
Wilson, A. E., Parker, V. A., & Feinberg, M. (2020). Polarization in the contemporary political and media landscape. Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, 34, 223–228. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cobeha.2020.07.005
Ong, J. C., Tapsell, R., & Curato, N. (2019). Tracking digital disinformation in the 2019 Philippine Midterm Election. New Mandala. [Summary on p. 5, Figure on p. 29]
Ong, J. C., Fallorina, R., Lanuza, J. M. H., Sanchez, F., & Curato, N. (2022). Parallel public spheres: Influence operations in the 2022 Philippine elections. Internews/Harvard Kennedy School Shorenstein Center. [Summary on p. 7, Figure on p. 31]
Montiel, C. J., & Wessells, M. (2001). Democratization, psychology, and the construction of cultures of peace. Peace and Conflict: Journal of Peace Psychology, 7(2), 119–129. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327949PAC0702_03
Voelkel, J. G., Stagnaro, M. N., Chu, J. Y., Pink, S. L., Mernyk, J. S., Redekopp, C., ... & Willer, R. (2024). Megastudy testing 25 treatments to reduce antidemocratic attitudes and partisan animosity. Science, 386(6719), eadh4764. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adh4764 [Research Article Summary, Table 1 on p. 4]
Ong et al. (2019), Tracking digital disinformation. [pp. 36–41]
Ong et al. (2022), Parallel public spheres. [pp. 44–49]
Ochoa, D. P., Manalastas, E. J., Deguchi, M., & Louis, W. R. (2019). Mobilising men: Ally identities and collective action in Japan and the Philippines. Journal of Pacific Rim Psychology, 13, e14. https://doi.org/10.1017/prp.2018.30