Development of implicit measure for virtue based on ancient Indian scripture: Issues and challenges

Pages: 212-215
Jin Sook Park, Rajesh S.K., Judu V. Ilavarasu., and Ramachandra G. Bhat (Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana
Samsthana (SVYASA) Yoga University, Bengaluru, Karnataka)

Conceptualizing and measuring virtue construct is a major, emerging issue in the field of educational research in the context of character development and positive personality development. Increase of virtues (sattva) and decrease of vices (tamas and rajas) is an indication or parameter of one’s progress in the path of Yoga and spirituality. India is a country where rich literary resources regarding virtue are available. In this article, we provide extensive Indian philosophical literatures on virtue, and address the necessity of developing a culturally relevant and appropriate psychological tool to assess virtue based on Indian indigenous concepts and ethos. With regard to the measuring tool development, we propose that Implicit Association Test (IAT) would be immensely useful in measuring virtue. This is to minimize the threat of various response biases in self-report assessment method. Further, along with the movements of positive psychology and Indian psychology, we hope that this paper could contribute to the development of positive qualities in human and inspire people to progress in the life journey. Last, it is hoped that our research based on Indian indigenous concepts of virtue would support the advancement of Indian psychology where in the domains of human mind and consciousness are explored more in depth.