PSYCH100 Module 9 Political-Self PDF

TOPIC 9: THE POLITICAL SELF LEARNING OUTCOMES: At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:  Explain the political self in relation to being a Filipino  Discuss the factors that influence the development of the political self  Reflect on the stren...

TOPIC 9: THE POLITICAL SELF LEARNING OUTCOMES: At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:  Explain the political self in relation to being a Filipino  Discuss the factors that influence the development of the political self  Reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of the Filipino character TEACHING-LEARNING ACTIVITY (LESSON PROPER): “Man is a political animal” - Aristotle Man is an animal intended to by nature to live in a specific social form, wherein a number of citizens is large enough to be self-sufficient. Politics is defined as a social institution through which power is acquired and exercised by some people and groups (Kendall, 1998). The concept of influence, elites, legitimacy, and authority are related to politics. It is an important part of human development because it promotes ideologies about democracy, citizenship, human rights, freedom, family, health, and other issues. The Political Self then organizes self-relevant information about politics, including one’s beliefs, attitudes, and affiliations. How people socialize and function as members of the society also characterizes the political self. Views and beliefs about leadership, one’s leadership style, and how one submits to leadership are few examples of the political self. Political Socialization describes the process by which citizens crystallize political identities, values, and behavior that remain relatively permanent throughout later life (Neundorf & Smets, 2017). It refers to a learning process by which political norms and behavior are transmitted from one generation to another. I. The Development of Political Self 1. Family - The family’s central role in developing one’s political personality derives from its role as primary source of all the basic and innate needs of a person. There is a high tendency that a child identifies with his parents and then adopts their outlook in politics. Easton and Hess mentioned that politicizing process starts at the age of three and is completed by the age of 13 (Davies, 1965). Furthermore, parents seldom talk about politics with their young children directly, but occasional remarks made around the dinner table or while watching news can have an impact. 2. School/Education - Education has been regarded as the main agent for the political socialization of the young into the national political culture. It also helps children to be morally upright citizens and emphasizes one’s respective roles in the society. The school expands and enhances career and life choices and chances of individuals. Children are also introduced to elections and voting when they choose classroom officers. Political facts are learned through various classroom discussions and courses. Lastly, school themselves are involved in politics; such as issues in curriculum reform, tuition fee increase, and government funding can spark a debate involving students, teachers, parents, and the society. 3. Church - The teachings, services, and activities of the church can contribute in the ideals of politics. 4. Mass Media - Old researches argue that while the media is often listed as socialization agents apace with family, school, and peers, there has been insufficient indication for mass media as a casual element in a child’s development of political cognition and behavior (Chaffee, Ward, Tipton, 1970). Recent studies, however, argue that the political influence extends far beyond newspaper reports or television programs connected with current affairs. In a much more subtle way, they can change people’s thought patterns through exhilarating stories, entertainment with popular culture, and the like. Most of the political information comes from the mass media. The average time spent on watching TV makes it the most dominant information source (Nguyen, 2013). The growth of internet is also a significant source of the development of political self. People are developing their political self online as they learn about the distinctions between candidates and political parties and gain knowledge about concerns and political events. 5. Other people - The traits and values of the individuals in the society greatly affect the attitudes and beliefs of an individual. II. The Political Self and Being a Filipino The Philippines today has only appeared in the 1980s after over three centuries of colonization. Foreign culture beliefs, language, and religion have made an enormous indentation on our own by setting a groundwork to the contemporary Filipino identity and culture. The individual’s race, ethnicity, and physical characteristics are not the sole factors that make one’s national identity. The important values and traits can also contribute to one’s national identity. Strengths and Weaknesses of the Filipino Character An excerpt from “A Moral Recovery Program: Building a People--Building a Nation” by Patricia Licuanan (2016) A. Strengths of the Filipino Character 1. Pakikipagkapwa-Tao (Regard for Others)  Pakikipagkapwa-tao is manifested in a basic sense of justice and fairness, and in concern for others  Demonstrated in the Filipinos’ ability to empathize with others, in helpfulness and generosity in times of need (pakikiramay), in the practice of mutual assistance (bayanihan), and in the famous Filipino hospitality  Filipinos also possess a sensitivity to people’s feelings (pakikiramdam), trust (pagtitiwala), and a sense of gratitude (utang-na-loob)  Pakikipagkapwa-tao makes Filipinos very sensitive to the quality of interpersonal relationships and are very dependent on them 2. Family Orientation  Filipinos possess a genuine and deep love for the family, not only to parents but also to the “extended family”  One’s family is the source of personal identity, the source of emotional and material supports, and the person’s main commitment and responsibility  Manifestations: the honor and respect given to parents and elders; the care given to children; the generosity towards kin in need; and in the great sacrifices one endures for the welfare of the family  Results: feeling of belonging or rootedness in a basic sense of security 3. Joy and Humor  Filipinos have a cheerful and fun-loving approach to life and its ups and downs  There is a pleasant disposition, a sense of humor, and a propensity for happiness that contribute not only to the Filipino charm, but to the indomitability of the Filipino spirit  Manifestation: Filipino love for socials and celebrations, in our capacity to laugh even in the most trying of times, and in the appeal of political satire  Results: a certain emotional balance and optimism, a healthy disrespect for power and office, and a capacity to survive 4. Flexibility, Adaptability, and Creativity  Filipinos have a great capacity to adjust, and to adapt to circumstances and to the surrounding environment, both physical and social  Unplanned or unanticipated events are never overly disturbing or disorienting as the flexible Filipino adjusts to whatever happens  Filipinos possess a tolerance for ambiguity that enables us to remain unfaxed by uncertainty or lack of information  Manifestation: ability to adapt life in any part of the world; in the ability to make new things out of scrap and to keep old machines running; and in the creative talent manifested in the cultural sphere  Results: productivity, innovation, entrepreneurship, equanimity, and survival 5. Hard work and Industry  Given proper conditions, Filipinos have the capacity for hard work  The desire to raise one’s standard of living and to possess the essentials of a decent life for one’s family combined with the right opportunities and incentives, stimulate the Filipino to work very hard  Manifestation: willingness to take risks with jobs abroad, and the work there at two or three jobs  Results: productivity and entrepreneurship for some, and survival despite poverty for others 6. Faith and Religiosity  Filipinos have a deep faith in God  Innate religiosity enables us to comprehend and genuinely accept reality in the context of God’s will and plan  Filipinos live very intimately with religion  We ascribe human traits to a supernatural God whom we alternately threaten and thank, call upon for mercy or forgiveness, and appease by pledges 7. Ability to Survive  Filipinos’ ability to survive is manifested in our capacity for endurance despite difficult times, and in our ability to get by on so little  This survival instinct is related to the Filipinos who bravely carry on through the harshest economic and social circumstances  Summing up all the other Filipino strengths results to the ability to survive B. Weaknesses of the Filipino Character 1. Extreme Personalism  Filipinos view the world in terms of personal relationships and the extent to which one is able personally to relate to things and people determines our recognition of their existence and the value  Oftentimes, there is no distinction between an objective task and emotional involvement  Manifestation: the tendency to give personal interpretations to actions and in the need to establish personal relationships before any business or work relationship can be successful 2. Extreme Family-Centeredness  While concern for the family is one of the greatest strengths of the Filipinos, in the extreme, it becomes a serious flaw  Excessive concern for the family creates an in-group to which the Filipino is fiercely loyal, to the detriment of concern for the larger community of the common good  Manifestations: use of one’s office and power as a mean of promoting the interests of the family, patronage, and political dynasties and in the protection of erring family members  Results: lack of concern for the common good and acts as a block to national consciousness 3. Lack of Discipline  Filipinos have a causal and relaxed attitude towards time and space  We have an aversion to following strictly a set of procedures  We are impatient and unable to delay gratification or reward  We are guilty of ningas cogon, starting out projects with full vigor and interest which abruptly die down, leaving things unfinished  Manifestations: lack of self precision and impulsiveness; poor time management; and procastination  Results: lack of standardization and quality control; use of short cuts; palusot syndrome; foolhardiness; inefficient and wasteful work systems; the violation of rules leading to more serious transgressions; and a casual work ethic leading to carelessness and lack of follow-through 4. Passivity and Lack of Initiative  Filipinos tend to wait to be told what has to be done and there is a strong reliance on others  Filipinos also have a need for a string authority figure and feel safer and more secure in the presence of such an authority  There is a rare sense of urgency about any problem  There is also a high tolerance for inefficiency, poor service, and even violations of one’s basic rights  In many ways, Filipinos are too patient and long-suffering (matiisin) 5. Colonial Mentality  Two dimensions of a Filipino colonial mentality are the lack of patriotism (active awareness, appreciation, and love for the country) and an actual preference for foreign things  Filipino culture is characterized by an openness to the outside -- adapting and incorporating the foreign elements into our image of ourselves  Manifestations: alienation of the elite from their roots and from the masses; and basic feeling of national inferiority that makes it difficult for Filipinos to relate as equals to Westerners  Results: cultural vagueness or weakness that makes Filipinos extraordinarily susceptible to the wholesome acceptance of modern mass culture  6. Kanya-Kanya Syndrome  Filipinos have a selfish, self-serving attitude that generates a feeling of envy and competitiveness towards others who seem to have gained some status or prestige  Manifestations: crab mentality using the levelling instruments of tsismis, intriga, and unconstrictive criticism to bring others down; personal ambition and drive for power and status that is completely insensitive to the common good; and lack of a sense of service among people in the government bureaucracy 7. Lack of Self-Analysis and Self-Reflection  There is a tendency in the Filipino to be superficial and even somewhat war freak  There is no felt need to validate our hypotheses or explanations of things  We are satisfied with superficial explanations for, and superficial solutions to, problems  Manifestations: emphasis on form (maporma) rather than substance; and satisfaction with rhetoric REFERENCES: Psychology Department. (2019). Understanding the self. Unpublished. Taag, G. C., Cuyan, A. S., Awingan, W. A., Balinggan, G. T., Carrera, W. D., & Perez, E. N. Understanding the self. Revised edition. Meycauayan City: IPM Publishing, c2019.