ARAB PSYCHOLOGY IN GLOBAL CONTEXT

Although Arab and Muslim scholars such as Al-Kindi (801-866), Abou-Baker al-Razy (864-925), Al-Farabi (d. 950), Ibn Sina or Avicenna (980-1037), Ibn Khaldoun (1332-1406), and others discussed psychological ideas and principles many centuries ago, modern psychology as a science started in Egypt in the 1930s (Ahmed & Gielen, 1998). Its rapid expansion in some parts of the Arab world, however, dates to the last few decades. Today, psychology has found a secure through limited place in most Arab countries. This paper reviews some recent developments and trends in Arab psychology and asks how Arab psychologists can strengthen their role and impact in the arena of international psychology, while contributing to the welfare of their societies. In this context we review some strengths and weaknesses of Arab psychology as a whole.

The rise of Arab psychology is placed in a global context in order to trace more firmly its overall contours and to suggest some future possibilities. Furthermore, we discuss the possibility that a greater emphasis upon indigenizing Arab psychology will lead both to its increased acceptability to the public as well as improved applicability in practical settings.

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