What aspect of psychology is indigenous psychology primarily focused on?

Indigenous psychology primarily focuses on local cultural interpretations and practices, recognizing the uniqueness of each culture’s psychological processes. It stresses the importance of understanding psychological phenomena through the lens of local customs, beliefs, and values rather than imposing external or universal theories that may not resonate with indigenous people’s lived experiences. By centering on how specific communities perceive and interpret their own mental health, social behavior, and identity, indigenous psychology aims to create frameworks that are more meaningful and relevant to those communities.

This approach contrasts sharply with views that prioritize global psychological theories or those rooted in Western traditions, which may overlook the rich diversity of human experience. Additionally, indigenous psychology goes beyond mere historical analysis, focusing instead on the dynamic and ongoing processes of cultural adaptation and interpretation in the modern context. Thus, local cultural interpretations and practices serve as the foundation upon which indigenous psychology builds its understanding of human behavior.