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Today's world is more interconnected and interdependent than ever before. Within the context of globalisation and the associated increased contact between diverse groups of people, the psychology of culture is more relevant than ever. Asia-Pacific Perspectives on Intercultural Psychology brings together leading researchers from 11 countries to showcase the innovative, evolving and diverse approaches that epitomise the development of the psychology of culture across the Asia-Pacific region. The contributors provide a range of examples of how different psychologies of culture can inform engagements with a range of psychological issues. Central to each chapter is the relationship between local cultures and ways of being, and knowledge production practices, imported theories and methods from the global discipline. It is the resulting tensions and opportunities for dialogue that are central to the further development of intercultural psychology as a diverse scholarly arena. This important work argues the case for a combination of etic and emic approaches to theory, research, and practice in psychology, that this is foundational to the development of intercultural perspectives and more comprehensive understandings of both the universal and local elements of human experience and psychological phenomena today.

This survey evaluated the influences of motivational functions, gender, age, and religiosity on two facets of volunteerism in Singapore. The two facets evaluated were length of service and fulfillment of duty commitments. One hundred and twenty-eight volunteers (Mage = 44.9 years; SD = 11.7 years; age range: 24–71 years) from a Singapore volunteer welfare organisation filled out 3 questionnaires: the Volunteer Functions Inventory (VFI; Clary et al., 1998), a questionnaire on facets of volunteerism, and a questionnaire on demographic data. Volunteer functions of these Singaporean volunteers were found to be similar to those of other cultures in the world. Values were the most important volunteer function. Age, frequency of worship, and volunteer functions were positively related to length of service. Volunteer functions were positively associated with fulfillment of duty commitments. No gender differences were found in the levels of volunteerism. The results suggested that the lower levels of volunteerism in Singapore might be the result of factors other than motivation functions. The result also highlighted that beyond motivational functions and demographics, other factors could influence facets of volunteerism.

Cognitive therapy as espoused by A. T. Beck (A. T. Beck, Rush, Shaw, & Emery, 1979) is increasingly used as a therapeutic modality and applied to a variety of cultural groups throughout the world. However, the majority of the literature on empirical and clinical practice has been focused on the use of cognitive therapy for Western cultures. In this article, we discuss Chinese patients’ adherence to therapy homework assignments in terms of Chinese cultural values and practices, their customary problem-solving process, and other traditional beliefs. Through the use of a case study, we illustrate how some of these culturally specific beliefs can influence the process of integrating homework assignments into the course of therapy. This resource on supervising practitioners’ treatment of Chinese patients with cognitive behavior therapy is offered as a contribution to the emerging literature on CBT for non-Western cultures.

Positive psychology has identified six virtues comprising 24 character strengths of humans. This study examines the relationships among these character strengths, including Happiness, Life Purpose and Life Satisfaction as valued by Singapore Chinese, Malays, Indians and Other Asians and Caucasians. A sample of Singapore adults (N = 304) completed an online survey in English comprising four measures, the Values in Action Inventory of Strengths, the Orientations to Happiness Scale, the Satisfaction with Life Scale and the Life Engagement Test. Results show that Zest, Hope, Curiosity, Capacity to Love and Gratitude are the top five character strengths of the sampled Singaporeans. Happiness orientation through pursuing a Life of Meaning is preferred by all four ethnic groups. Ethnic differences are found for character strengths of Kindness, Humour, Gratitude, and Religiousness and Spirituality. Life of Meaning and Life of Engagement, Happiness orientations and character strengths of Curiosity and Perseverance are direct predictors of Life Purpose. In turn, Life Purpose and character strengths of Capacity to Love and Gratitude are found to be direct predictors of Life Satisfaction. Despite its other limitations, this study lays the groundwork for future studies using more robust sampling strategies and greater participation from the major ethnic groups in Singapore.

[Extract] Singapore is a small, low-lying and highly urbanised city-state, with over 5.5 million people on a land area of about 710 sq km, exposed to the effects of climate change as the earth warms up. Much of Singapore lies within 15m above the mean sea level; the ground level of about 30% of Singapore is less than 5m above the mean sea level. According to the report, the expected effects of changing weather patterns on Singapore would include accelerated coastal erosion and higher incidences of intense rain or prolonged drought, influence on the biodiversity of plants and animals, and greenery, and possible disruptions to food supplies and business supply chains.

Filial parenting (coined from the words filial piety and parenting style) is observed to be a parenting style emerging from Asia, specifically from the dynamics of the Chinese small families of today. This proposed construct refers to the almost unconditional devotion and care of both parents towards their one or two children. “Almost” in unconditional devotion and care means parents would add their demands or expectations of their children. Based on the parents’ strengths and efforts, they would indulge and protect their children from conception to birth to growth and development. The ulterior motive of the filial parents is reciprocal devotion and care when they themselves reach old age. The consequences are worth consideration. The advantages and disadvantages of filial parenting, as well as implications for people managers and policy makers are discussed.

Many countries depend on profit-oriented corporations to maintain economic growth through employment of their local workforce. This is especially true for Singapore whose only resource is a knowledge-based workforce. In spite of efforts to develop and sustain its indigenous workforce through educational reforms and meritocratic hiring policies, the Singapore government has recognized a need for more skilled workers. This has to come from foreign talents of whom an increase of 40 % is seen since 2007 notwithstanding the growing dissatisfaction of its citizens. Similar sentiments are echoed throughout the world (e.g., in China, Thailand, and Hong Kong) where job security of locals is threatened by immigration policies. Although it appears to be predominantly an economic issue, social and political reasons are implicated as well in governmental policies through the increased reliance on foreign talents in sustaining a competitive workforce. These factors will be evaluated in the paper.

Research studies in psychology have shown that human behaviours differ across culture. As such, Western psychological theories have been criticized for assuming their universality in explaining behaviour of people across nations. This paper addresses vocation-related variables that influence career decision-making among culturally-different Asians. This review suggests that merely applying Western psychological theories without taking into account culture-specific values, beliefs, concepts, and systems indigenous to Asian culture may not fully explain the complexities of work-related issues in Asia. With increasing research studies in developing indigenous psychology, psychology can offer more practical values in understanding human behaviours in Asian context.