Mandayam Osuri Parthasarathy Iyengar (MOP Iyengar) was a prominent Indian psychologist who made significant contributions to the field of psychology in India. He is often referred to as the “father of Indian psychology” due to his pioneering work in establishing the first psychology department in India and his contributions to developing a unique approach to psychology rooted in Indian culture and philosophy. MOP Iyengar’s approach to psychology was grounded in Indian culture and philosophy, and he emphasized the importance of studying psychology within its social, cultural, and historical contexts. He believed that traditional Indian philosophical concepts and practices could enrich and expand modern psychology’s scope, and he worked to develop a unique approach to psychology that drew on both Western and Indian perspectives.
Mandayam Osuri Parthasarathy Iyengar
The well-known Indian academic and psychologist MOP Iyengar (1905–1990) is frequently referred to as the “father of Indian psychology.” In 1924, he founded the first psychology department in India at the University of Mysore. The following year, in 1928, he created the psychology department at the University of Madras, where he spent many years working. The distinctive feature of MOP Iyengar’s method of studying psychology was the emphasis he placed on the significance of learning psychology in the context of Indian culture and philosophy. He was instrumental in creating a uniquely Indian approach to psychology that fused ancient Indian philosophical ideas with contemporary psychological ideas. His legacy continues to motivate upcoming generations of psychologists in India. He made substantial and far-reaching contributions to the field of psychology in India.
Mandayam Osuri Parthasarathy Iyengar – Notable Work and Contributions
In India, the science of psychology has seen tremendous advancements thanks to Mandayam Osuri Parthasarathy Iyengar (MOP Iyengar), who also played a key role in establishing psychology as a legitimate academic field. His notable contributions and works include the following
- Establishing the first psychology department in India: MOP Iyengar established the first psychology department in India at the University of Mysore in 1924. He subsequently established the psychology department at the University of Madras in 1928.
- Introducing a unique approach to psychology: MOP Iyengar’s approach to psychology was unique in that he emphasized the importance of studying psychology within the context of Indian culture and philosophy. He believed that traditional Indian philosophical concepts and practices could be used to enrich and expand the scope of modern psychology.
- Developing a distinctively Indian approach to psychology: A uniquely Indian style to psychology was created by MOP Iyengar by fusing conventional Indian philosophical ideas with contemporary psychological principles. He thought that the distinctive historical and cultural settings of India called for a different method of psychology than what was practiced in the West.
- Promoting research in psychology: MOP Iyengar was a strong advocate for research in psychology, and he worked to establish psychology as an academic discipline in India. He founded the Indian Journal of Psychology in 1926, which became a leading platform for psychological research in the country.
Overall, MOP Iyengar made major contributions to the discipline of psychology in India, and he was instrumental in laying the groundwork for the creation of a distinctively Indian approach to psychology. Future Indian psychologist generations are still motivated by his legacy.
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Mandayam Osuri Parthasarathy Iyengar as Father of Indian Psychology
Mandayam Osuri Parthasarathy Iyengar is regarded as the “Father of Indian Psychology” due to his pioneering work in establishing psychology as an academic discipline in India and for his contributions to the development of a unique approach to psychology that is rooted in Indian culture and philosophy.
The University of Mysore’s first psychology department opened its doors in 1924, while the University of Madras’s department of psychology opened its doors in 1928 thanks in large part to MOP Iyengar. He highlighted the significance of studying psychology within the framework of Indian culture and philosophy and created a uniquely Indian method of approaching psychology by fusing conventional Indian philosophical ideas with contemporary psychological principles. He thought that the distinctive historical and cultural settings of India called for a different method of psychology than what was practiced in the West.
Therefore, MOP Iyengar made substantial and far-reaching contributions to the field of psychology in India, and his legacy continues to motivate current and upcoming generations of psychologists in that country. He is referred to as the “Father of Indian Psychology” for a variety of reasons, including his groundbreaking work in establishing psychology as an academic science in India, his distinctive method of approaching psychology, and his support of psychological research.
FAQs on Father of Indian Psychology
Mandayam Osuri Parthasarathy Iyengar is known as the Father of Indian Psychology.
MOP Iyengar is called the Father of Indian Psychology because of his pioneering work in establishing psychology as an academic discipline in India, his development of a distinctively Indian approach to psychology, and his advocacy for research in psychology.
MOP Iyengar made contributions to the field of psychology in India by founding the nation’s first psychology department, creating a distinctive method of psychology based on Indian culture and philosophy, and encouraging psychology research.
By highlighting the significance of studying psychology within the framework of Indian culture and philosophy, MOP Iyengar created a novel approach to psychology in India. He thought that modern psychology might be enhanced and expanded upon by using traditional Indian philosophical ideas and practices.
MOP Iyengar’s work in psychology was significant because it laid the foundation for the development of a uniquely Indian approach to psychology, which takes into account the cultural and historical contexts of India. His legacy continues to inspire future generations of psychologists in India.