Decolonisation and Decolonial Praxis: Perspectives of Indian Psychologists

The aim of this study was to synthesise literature from India on decolonisation, looking at how the term has been conceptualised and how decolonial thinking is applied to praxis. A systematic review was conducted of literature from India on decolonising psychology published in the last ten years. Five digital databases (PsycInfo, ASSIA, Web of Science, SCOPUS and Science Direct) were searched using pre-identified search terms adjusted to each database. Eligible articles (n=14) were analysed through thematic synthesis. Analysis led to conceptualisation of 11 subthemes that can be further characterised by three overarching themes (conceptualisation of colonialism, coloniality and decolonisation; psychological coloniality; and decolonisation praxis). The findings flesh out the influence of coloniality over psychology as a discipline, and the compounding impact of epistemic coloniality and social inequities in India. The present study suggests that psychologists should adopt radically new methodological approaches to address power dynamics baked into research. Further highlighted is the importance of prioritising reflexivity, reconsidering traditional views of distress to account for cultural differences, and considering broader social contexts when supporting individuals in distress.