Pioneer of Chinese Indigenous Psychology: Prof. Kuo-Shu Yang

Abstract

Professor Yang dedicated his life to teaching and research in psychology for over 55 years. He portrayed this work in terms of five phases: exploration, imitation, suspicion, transformation, and convergence. Professor Yang’s deep reflection and critical thinking with respect to his own academic work allowed him to innovate and push boundaries throughout his career, making him a leader in the evolution and promotion of Chinese psychology, especially in the area of social and personality psychology. He made major contributions in four areas: Chinese characteristics; Chinese indigenization of psychology and social science; individual modernity and traditionality; and the four-part theory of the Chinese self. This essay introduces his contributions to the Chinese psychological community, especially in the field of indigenous psychology, as well as his efforts at promoting the development of Asian psychology and global psychology.