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American psychology’s psychobiological perspective in the light of
Sri Aurobindo’s theory of social development

Christian A. Latino

Abstract
American psychology currently employs a psychobiological perspective in its study of the human
psyche and tends to conduct its research using objective empirical methods based on the natural world.
This article situates the American psychobiological perspective in Sri Aurobindo’s theory of social
development, which posits that societal growth is evolutionary. American psychology’s beginnings in
Europe occurred in an era where the ecclesiastical hierarchy ruled through dogma, which may have
contributed to the field’s modern-day dependence on objective empiricism as a means to challenge
abuses of authority. According to Sri Aurobindo’s theory, a dependence on objective empirical methods
is typical prior to the utilisation of more advanced subjective empirical methods. The increasing interest
in subjective empirical methods (e.g. mindfulness) in American psychology may indicate the coming of
a subjective age in the science. This age may allow for new discoveries in psychology that may provide
resolutions for modern-day ills.

Introduction view of human psychology is inclusive of the
psychobiological perspective, while moving
Present-day American psychology currently beyond, as it posits that human consciousness
operates from a psychobiological theoretical is something non-physical which inhabits
perspective that places its predominant physical matter (i.e. that consciousness is
focus on the play of genetics, hormones and everywhere, not in the brain solely).
neurological activity on the human psyche
(1). According to this viewpoint, human Here, I speculate how American psychology
beings are considered to be no more than has arrived at its current limited biological
the sum of their brains and other biological understanding of the human psyche by looking
parts. Other perspectives of psychology, such at its historical roots in Europe. To give greater
as that of Sri Aurobindo’s Integral Yoga, significance to the meaning of past events
are psychospiritual in nature and view the and future possibilities, this analysis will be
human as a being evolving to greater heights conducted using Sri Aurobindo’s theory of
of consciousness (2, 3). This psychospiritual the psychology of social development from

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