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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Culture & Society

Psychologist Comments on Viral Video of Two Men Kissing on PNJ Campus

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A video showing two men kissing on the campus of Politeknik Negeri Jakarta (PNJ) has gone viral, sparking anger among some students.
  • A psychology professor explained that public displays of affection depend on an individual's ability to distinguish between right and wrong, and understanding social norms.
  • While LGBT is not classified as a mental disorder in psychology, the professor advised against excessively promoting or campaigning for it.

A recent viral video depicting two men kissing on the campus of Politeknik Negeri Jakarta (PNJ) has ignited controversy and led to internal proceedings involving the individuals.

Why people dare to commit indecent acts in public depends heavily on the individual's personality and their ability to differentiate between good and bad, which is formed from childhood.

— Prof Rose Mini Agoes SalimPsychology professor from the University of Indonesia, explaining the psychological factors behind public displays of affection.

Professor Rose Mini Agoes Salim, a psychology expert from the University of Indonesia, commented on the incident, stating that public displays of affection reflect an individual's capacity to discern between acceptable and unacceptable behavior. "Why people dare to commit indecent acts in public depends heavily on the individual's personality and their ability to differentiate between good and bad, which is formed from childhood," she explained.

If someone feels that it is wrong and should not be displayed in public, they will not do it. Or perhaps they have learned that such things are private, personal, so they will not do it. But if that norm is absent, and inner urges are prioritized, this can happen.

— Prof Rose Mini Agoes SalimFurther explaining the role of social norms and personal impulses in public behavior.

Salim elaborated that individuals who understand social norms typically refrain from such public acts. However, if personal impulses override this understanding, or if social norms are not internalized, such behavior can occur. "If someone feels that it is wrong and should not be displayed in public, they will not do it. Or perhaps they have learned that such things are private, personal, so they will not do it. But if that norm is absent, and inner urges are prioritized, this can happen," she said.

This is because it is a matter of morality. From the perspective of any religion, it is actually not permitted.

— Prof Rose Mini Agoes SalimCommenting on the moral and religious implications of public displays of affection.

The professor emphasized that public kissing is also a matter of morality, noting that it is generally not permitted by any religion. She also addressed the psychological classification of LGBT, clarifying that it is not considered a mental illness or disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). "So, regarding LGBT content or campaigns, I think there is no need to publicize them bombastically or encourage others to do the same," Salim advised.

So, regarding LGBT content or campaigns, I think there is no need to publicize them bombastically or encourage others to do the same.

— Prof Rose Mini Agoes SalimAdvising against excessive promotion of LGBT-related content.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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