Review Notes for Sikolohiyang Pilipino

Sikolohiyang Pilipino
THE BEGINNINGS OF SIKOLOHIYANG PILIPINO (FILIPINO PSYCHOLOGY)

The Philippines during Spanish Colonization, USA occupation

 The psychology taught in schools were predominantly Western in theory and methodology

The Philippines during the 1960s

 Filipino scholars were already sensitive to the inadequacy and unfairness of Western-oriented approaches to
psychology
Example:
o Western interpretation of Filipinos’ predisposition to indirect communication was regarded as being
dishonest and socially ingratiating (intended to gain approval or favor; being sipsip)
o Rather than being interpreted as concern for feelings of others

 Despite the sensitivity, there was no concerted effort to reject or correct these traditional ways of teaching and
studying psychology

The Philippines during 1970s

 Virgilio Enriquez returned back to the Philippines in 1971 after he completed his PhD abroad and introduced the
concept of Sikolohiyang Pilipino (Filipino Psychology)

 Enriquez and Alfredo Lagmay researched into historical & cultural roots of Philippine psychology and produced:
o A bibliography on Filipino psychology
o A locally developed personality test called Panukat ng Ugali at Pagkatao (PUP)

 In 1971 Enriquez established the Philippine Psychology Research House (PPRH), now called Philippine
Psychology Research and Training House (PPRTH)
o Contains materials on Sikolohiyang Pilipino

 In November 1975  Enriquez chaired the first national conference on Filipino Psychology where he articulated
the ideas, concepts, and formulations of Sikolohiyang Pilipino

 In December 1975  Enriquez established the Pambansang Samahan ng Sikolohiyang Pilipino (PSSP)

 In 1978  First course on Sikolohiyang Pilipino was taught at the University of the Philippines

FORMS OF PSYCHOLOGY IN THE PHILIPPINES

1. Sikolohiya sa Pilipinas (Psychology in the Philippines)

o Refers to a series of events related to the field of psychology in the Philippines (e.g. number of degree
programs and journals, the amount of research conducted)
o Includes all the studies, books, Psychology (whether foreign or Filipino) that we see in the Philippines
o This is the biggest and general form of psychology in the Philippine context
o Bisita sa bahay  dalaw lamanag

2. Sikolohiya ng mga Pilipino (Psychology of the Filipinos)

o Refers to any theories or knowledge of Filipino nature regardless of source (Western or local)
o This is the most common form of psychology in the Philippines
o Tao sa bahay
o i.e. ningas kugon, hiya, utang na loob, amor propio, bahala na, SIR, Filipino time ay ilan sa mga katangian
na pinanganglandakang katangian o ugali sa pakikipagkapwang Pilipino

3. Sikolohiyang Pilipino (Filipino Psychology)

o a psychology based on Filipino’s true thoughts, feelings, behaviors and must be derived from indigenous
Filipino sources, language, methods
o “Ito ang nilalayong anyo, sikolohiyang bunga ng karansan, kaisipan, at oryentasyong Pilipino (KKO)”
o Maybahay  mga taong talagang nakatira sa loob ng bahay
Review Notes for Sikolohiyang Pilipino
WHAT IS SIKOLOHIYANG PILIPINO

Sikolohiyang Pilipino
 It is psychology anchored on Filipino thought and experience as understood from a Filipino perspective
o It is rooted in history, language, arts, and common experiences of a Filipino
o It is the study of diwa (psyche)  diwa refers to “essence” and the range of psychological concepts from
awareness to motives to behavior
 Principal emphasis of Sikolohiyang Pilipino:
o Foster national identity and consciousness
o Social involvement
o Psychology of language and culture
 Concerned with proper applications to health, agriculture, art, mass media, religion, and others
 Enriquez also came up with a definition of psychology which takes into account:
o The study of emotions and experienced knowledge (kalooban and kamalayan), awareness of one’s
surroundings (ulirat), information and understanding (isip), habits and behavior (another meaning of
diwa), and the soul (kaluluwa)

Developing Sikolohiyang Pilipino

What did scholars do to develop Sikolohiyang Pilipino?

 Indigenization from without (etic)

o Applying Western theoretical models and methodologies to the local setting
o This includes simple translation of concepts, methods, theories, and measures into Filipino

 Indigenization from within (emic)

o a.k.a. “cultural revalidation”
o Utilizing the local’s own methods to elicit and study culture-specific behaviors
o This includes identifying indigenous concepts, methods, and theories
o Assessing historical and socio-cultural realities, understanding the local language, unraveling Filipino
characteristics and explaining them through the eyes of the native Filipino

Note: While both types of indigenization processes are aimed at making psychological concepts, theories, and
methods more culturally meaningful, the process of indigenization from within (emic) is superior to that from without.

Sikolohiyang Pilipino as a liberated, liberating, and interdisciplinary psychology

SP eliminated its bondage from Western perspective in both theory

SP as a liberated psychology
SP as a liberating psychology
SP as an interdisciplinary psychology
and in practice
SP became more “responsible” and responsive to the needs of
Filipinos due to the philosophy that we need to make psychology
benefit and be of service to the people
SP is enriched by different disciplines to make it more solid and
closer to Philippine reality

FILIPINO CONCEPTS AND MODELS OF PERSONALITY

Ma’aram concept of pagkatawo (personhood)

A ma’aram is a learned man/woman and they are priest healers in Panay. They are like shamans and historically, they
have the same personality as the babaylan.
1. Ginhawa (vital principle)
2. Buot (perception)
3. Isip (mind)
4. Dungan (sleep spirit)
5. Kalag (life spirit)

Baltazar’s model
Analysis of Filipino personality through the works of Francisco Baltazar
 Bait (sanity)
 Muni (reflection)
 Hatol (judgment)

Prospero Covar’s concept of Filipino personhood

Review Notes for Sikolohiyang Pilipino
 Kaluluwa (spirit)
 Budhi (conscience)
 Katauhang panlabas (external appearance)
 Katauhang panloob (innermost being)

RETHINKING FILIPINO VALUES

Western / Non-SP Perspective SP Perspective

Bahala Na Bostrom (1968): fatalism
Andres (1994): Filipino attitude
that makes him accept sufferings
and problems, leaving everything
to God
Hiya Sibley (1965): shame
Lynch (1961): “uncomfortable
feeling that accompanies
awareness of being in a socially
unacceptable position, or
performing a socially
unacceptable action”
Utang na loob Kaut (1961): debt of gratitude
Andres (1994): principle of
reciprocity incurred when an
individual helps another
Lagmay (1977): bahala na is not “fatalism” but
“determination and risk-taking”
Bonifacio (1976): hiya can mean differently depending on its
form: nakakahiya (embarrassing), napahiya (placed in an
awkward position), ikinahiya (be embarrassed with
someone), kahihiyan (sense of propriety or embarrassment)
But more appropriate translation of hiya is not “shame” but
“sense of propriety”
Enriquez (1977): utang na loob means “gratitude/solidarity”
and not necessarily a burden

Pakikisama vs. Lynch (1951): Pakikisama or
Pakikipagkapwa maintaining smooth interpersonal
relations (SIR) by going along with
the group or majority of the
decision i.e. conformity
Enriquez: Filipinos are more concerned with
pakikipagkapwa – treating the other person as kapwa or
fellow human being

ENRIQUEZ’s KAPWA MODEL

Overview of the model

 Enriquez critiqued the extensive studies on hiya, utang na loob, and pakikisama  He said that these are just
accommodative surface values
o According to Enriquez these values support the image of the Filipino as subservient or accommodating
(in relation to the colonizer)
 He also said that there is a corresponding set of values that present a counterimage of Filipinos as capable of
determination, courage, and resistance  confrontative surface values
 Enriquez also conceptualized a set of foundational values of the Filipino nation  societal values
 The value of kapwa (shared identity) connects all the different values  core value
o Kapwa as “the unity of the self and others, a recognition of shared identity, an inner self shared with
others”
o Pakikipagkapwa means “accepting and dealing with the other person as an equal”. This also means a
“regard for the dignity and being of others”
 You need pakikiramdam to manifest appropriate surface values towards others  pivotal interpersonal value
 You need to experience kagandahang loob to share the societal values  linking social personal value
Review Notes for Sikolohiyang Pilipino

Kapwa in the context of Filipino social interaction

 Kapwa is divided into outsider (ibang tao) and one-of-us (hindi-ibang-tao)
 Being placed as ibang tao or hindi ibang tao determines the level of interaction
 The column on pagkikipagkapwa is also similar to the Researcher/Method scale

INDIGENOUS CONCEPTS AND THEORIES

Indirect communication
 Filipinos have a propensity for indirect communication  resulted in indirectness or euphemisms in verbal
exchange, expressive body language, voice intonations that say more than what was said, etc.
o From perspective of West: Filipinos are misinterpreted as dishonest, hypocrite etc. when we cannot say
“no” outright
 We are socialized to be sensitive to non-verbal cues, having a concern for the feelings of others, being truthful
but not at the expense of hurting other’s feelings
 This is why pakikiramdam (shared inner perception) is a desirable skill in situations involving Filipino social
interaction

Internality-externality
 Salazar pointed out that there is an internality-externality component in Filipino personality

Internal External
“honor” Dangal – honor from Puri – honor which is physical (e.g.
within bestowed thru compliments, applauses)
Review Notes for Sikolohiyang Pilipino
“happiness” Ligaya Saya
“control” Timpi Pigil
“feel” Damdam Dama

Note: We are not saying that this internal-external dimension is unique to Filipinos, but this is something that
researchers should be conscious of when trying to understand the Filipino personality.

The great cultural divide

 Enriquez believed that it is not regionalism that divides Filipinos BUT it is in the cultural aspect where we witness
a disparity
 Enriquez observed that Filipinos differ in their worldview, culture, and way of life!

Mass-oriented
World-view, culture, and way of life
 People read komiks
 Listen to soap operas on radios, watch soap
operas on television etc.
 People visit indigenous healers for
physical/mental/emotional ailments
 They speak Filipino and a regional language
Elitist
World-view, culture, and way of life
 They go to performances in cultural centres,
theaters
 They speak English (and other languages e.g.
European)
 They look down on the masa (the people on the
other side of the divide)

INDIGENOUS PERSONALITY MEASURES

1. Philippine Mental Abilities Test (PMAT)

a. Developed by Sinforoso Padilla in the 1950s
b. Considered as the first local test

2. Panukat ng Ugali at Pagkatao (PUP)

a. Developed by Enriquez and Guanzon
b. Present form has 160 items with Filipino and English translations
c. Respondents indicate their level of agreement using a 5-point bipolar scale:

3. Panukat ng Pagkataong Pilipino (PPP)

a. Developed by Annadaisy Carlota
b. Has 210 items with versions in Filipino, English, and three other Philippine languages
c. Has 3 forms:
i. Form K (Personality dimensions related to interpersonal relationships)
ii. Form S (Personal traits)
iii. Form KS (Intelligence and Creativity)

4. Panukat ng mga Katangian ng Personalidad (PKP)

a. Also known as Philippine Trait Rating Form
b. Developed by Timothy Church and colleagues
c. It is an adjective rating scale and measures seven dimensions that were supposed to be a complete
representation of Filipino personality

GUIDING PRINCIPLES IN THE USE OF INDIGENOUS RESEARCH METHODS

1. The level of interaction or relationship that exists between the researcher and the researched significantly
determines the quality of the data obtained in the research process. At least level of pakikipagpalagayang-loob
(level of mutual trust, understanding, and rapport) should be reached to assure good quality data.

2. Research participants should always be treated by researchers as equal.

3. The welfare of the research participants take precedence over the data obtained from them. The research
should not only be enlightening for the respondents, it should be empowering.

4. The method should be chosen on the basis of appropriateness to the population. Researchers cannot expect
people to adjust to the method; the method should adjust to the people.

5. The language of the people should be the language of research at all times.
Review Notes for Sikolohiyang Pilipino
INDIGENOUS RESEARCH METHODS

Iskala ng Mananaliksik
 Researcher/Method Scale
 These are methods used by the researcher in generating data that are tried and tested and are culturally
sensitive and appropriate in doing research with Filpinos.
 It includes research methods ranging from unobtrusive to the more obtrusive, research-participative.
 Other research methods included in this scale are:
o Pagmamatyag, pagsusubaybay, pakikialam, pakikilahok, pakikisangkot
o Pakapa-kapa (an approach characterized by groping, searching, probing into an unsystematized mass of
social and cultural data to be able to obtain order, meaning, and directions for research)
o Pakikipanuluyan, pakikipagkwentuhan, ginabayang talakayan

Iskala ng Mananaliksik
Pagmamasid Unobtrusive
(looking-around)
Unobtrusive
Pakikiramdam
(sensing, feeling what is happening)
Pagtatanong-tanong
(unstructured, informal questioning)
More obtrusive
Pagsubok
(start talking/working with respondents)
Pagdalaw-dalaw
(visit to respondents’ home) Highest levels of
Pakikisangkot research participation Obtrusive; high levels of
(deep involvement in the respondent’s activities) research participation

Iskala ng Pagtutunguhan ng Mananaliksik at Kalahok

 Researcher-Participant Relationship Scale
 This is based on the Filipino view of equality between the researcher and the respondents.
 The level of interaction between the researcher and the researchee significantly determines the quality of data
obtained.
 Eight levels of interaction ranging from relatively uninvolved civility of pakikitungo to the total sense of
idenfication in pakikiisa.
 These eight levels of interaction can be divided into two categories: the ibang tao (outsider) and the hindi-ibang-
tao (one-of-us)
 A researcher must aim to attain pakikipaglayang-loob because anything less intimate than this will lead to the
loss of importance of the research.

Iskala ng Pagtutunguhan ng Mananaliksik at Kalahok

Pakikitungo Uninvolved
(transaction civility)
Pakikisalamuha
(interaction)
Ibang tao
Pakikilahok
(not one of us or
(participating, joining)
outsider category)
Pakikibagay
(conforming with)
Pakikisama
(being along with)
Pakikipagpalagayang-loob
(understanding, acceptance)
Hindi-ibang-tao
Pakikisangkot
(one-of-us or insider
(getting involved)
category)
Pakikiisa
(being one with) Most involved

THE BIG FIVE PERSONALITY IN PHILIPPINE CONTEXT

 Studies have shown some evidence for the relevance of the Big Five dimensions in the Philippine context
 Some scales in Filipino indigenous tests of personality may tap in the 5 personality dimensions as seen in the
table below:
Review Notes for Sikolohiyang Pilipino

Big Five Dimension Filipino Scales

Extraversion / Surgency
 Excitability, sociability,
talkativeness, assertiveness,
emotional expressiveness
 “retiring vs. sociable”; “quiet
vs. talkative”; “inhibited vs.
spontaneous”
Agreeableness
 Trust, kindness, affection,
altruism, and other prosocial
behaviors
Conscientiousness
 Good impulse control and
goal-directed behaviors
 High in conscientiousness,
tend to be organized and
mindful of details
 “careless vs. careful”;
“undependable vs. reliable”;
“negligent vs. conscientious”
Neuroticism / Emotional
Stability
 High in this trait, tend to
experience emotional
instability, anxiety,
moodiness, irritability, and
sadness
 “calm vs. worrying”; “hardy
vs. vulnerable”; “secure vs.
insecure”
 PUP: Lakas ng loob (guts and daring); pagkamahiyain (shyness or timidity); ambisyon
(ambition); pagkasunud-sunuran (excessive conformity)
 PPP: Pagkamadaldal (social curiosity); pagkapalakaibigan (sociability)
 PKP: Pagiging kalog (gregariousness); Tiwala sa Sarili (Self-assurance)
 Student Rating Form: Social potency
 PUP: pagkamagalang (respectfulness); pagkamatulungin (helpfulness);
pagkamapagkumbaba (humility); pagkamapagbigay (generosity); pagkapalaaway
(aggression); hirap kausapin (unapproachability); pagkamapunahin (criticalness)
 PPP: pagkamaalalahanin (thoughtfulness); pagkamagalang (respectfulness);
pagkamatulungin (helpfulness); pagkamapagkumbaba (humility); pagkamatapat
(honesty); pagkamaunawain (capacity for understanding)
 PKP: makakapwa vs. makasarili (concern for others vs. egotistical)
 Student Rating Form: Concern for others
 PUP: pagkaresponsable (responsibleness); pagkamatiyaga (perseverance);
pagkasigurista (non-risk taking); tigas ng ulo (stubbornness); katipiran (thriftiness);
pagkasalawahan (ficklemindedness)
 PPP: pagkamatiyaga (patience); pagkamapagsapalaran (risk taking); pagkamasunurin
(obedience); pagkaresponsable (responsibleness); pagkamasikap (achievement
orientation); pagkamaayos (orderliness)
 PKP: disiplinado (conscientious)
 Student Rating Form: responsibility
 PUP: pagkamapagtimpi (self-control or restraint); pagkamaramdamin (sensitiveness);
pagkapikon (low tolerance for teasing); sumpong (mood)
 PPP: pagkamahinahon (emotional stability); pagkamaramdamin (sensitiveness);
pagkamasayahin (cheerfulness)
 PKP: sumpungin (temperamental) scale
 Student Rating Form: Emotional control and Affective well-being scales

Openness to Experience /  PUP: pagkamausisa (inquisitiveness); pagkapalaisip (reflectiveness); pagkamalikhain

Intellect (creativity)
 Imagination and insight  PPP: pagkamatalino (intelligence); pagkamalikhain (creativity)
 High in this trait, tend to  PKP: matalino (intellect)
have broad range of interests  Student Rating Form: broadmindedness
 “conventional vs. original”;
“conservative vs. liberal”;
“concrete-thinking vs.
abstract thinking”; “less
intelligent vs. more
intelligent”

STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF THE FILIPINO CHARACTER

 Ambivalence characterizes Filipino characters
 It means Filipinos tolerate a double standard mentality
 “Filipino values are ambivalent in the sense that they are potential for good or evil” (Gorospe, 1969)

Strengths
1. Pakikipagkapwa-tao
 Demonstrated in Filipino’s ability to empathize, help and become generous to others in times of need
(pakikiramay)
 Practicing mutual assistance (bayanihan)
 Pakikiramdam, pagtitiwala, and utang na loob are also aspects of pakikipagkapwa-tao
2. Family orientation
 Filipinos possess a deep love for the family
 Their concern for family is manifested in honor and respect given to parents and elders, care given to
children, generosity towards kin in need, and in sacrifices they endure
3. Joy and humor
Review Notes for Sikolohiyang Pilipino
 Filipinos have a cheerful and fun-loving approach to life and its ups and downs
4. Flexibility, adaptability, and creativity
 Filipinos have a great capacity to adjust, and to adapt to circumstances and to the surrounding
environment
 Ability to adapt to life in any part of the world; Ability to make new things out of scrap etc.
5. Hard work and industry
 Filipinos have the capacity for hard work, given proper conditions
 Desire to socially mobilize + opportunities = stimulate Filipinos to work very hard
6. Faith and religiosity
 We have deep faith  thus, tragedy and bad fortune are accepted and we remain optimistic even when
we’re poor
7. Ability to survive
 We have the capacity to endure difficult times and to get by even with what little we have
 We have a survival instinct

Weaknesses

1. Extreme personalism
 We always take things personally  no separation between objective task and emotional involvement
 Pakiusap, palakasan (power and influence), extreme personalism leads to graft and corruption
2. Extreme family centeredness
 We are loyal to our families to the extent that we ignore the common good
 Using our office and power to promote family interest (e.g. political dynasty)
3. Lack of discipline
 We have “Filipino time” , palusot syndrome, “pwede na yan” syndrome,
 We are guilty of ningas cogon  starting out projects with full vigor and interest which die down,
leaving things unfinished
 Mañana habit  we put off what we need to do
 Our lack of discipline results in inefficient and wasteful work systems, violation of rules leads to
transgressions, and carelessness and lack of follow through
4. Passivity and lack of initiative
 We wait to be told what has to be done
 Strong reliance on others to do things for us
 We are complacent, we have high tolerance for inefficiency, poor service, and even violations of one’s
basic rights
5. Colonial mentality
 Lack of patriotism and preference for things that are foreign
6. Kanya-kanya syndrome
 Filipinos have selfish, self-serving attitude that generates a feeling of envy and competitiveness
 “crab mentality”  we have the propensity to put others down through tsismis, unconstructive criticism
to bring others down
7. Lack of self-analysis and self-reflection
 Even when we encounter serious problems, we lack analysis and reflection  preventing us from
looking deeply into the problem
 We are satisfied with superficial explanations and superficial solutions to problems
 We have a tendency to emphasize form (maporma) rather than substance  as long as the right things
are said, as long as proper reports exist, etc.

Strengths Weaknesses
Pakikipagkapwa-tao Extreme personalism
Family orientation Extreme family centeredness
Joy and humor Lack of discipline
Flexibility, adaptability, and creativity Passivity and lack of initiative
Hard work and industry Colonial mentality
Faith and religiosity Kanya-kanya syndrome
Ability to survive Lack of self-analysis and self-reflection
Review Notes for Sikolohiyang Pilipino
Some Filipino Terms/Concepts related to Psychopathology and Psychomedicine

Amok Person suddenly loses control of himself and goes into a killing frenzy, after which he/she is going
to hallucinate and falls into a trance. After he/she wakes up, he has no absolute memory of the
event.
Bangungot A relatively common occurrence in which a person suddenly loses control of his respiration and
digestion, and falls into a coma and ultimately to death. The person is believed to dream of falling
into a deep abyss at the onset of his death.
Kulam The use of voodoo of a mambabarang to conjure up a spell, which she is to recite while piercing
the body of a ragdoll, supposedly representing that of the person she is to cause sickness.
Lihi Intense craving from something or someone during pregnancy. Faith healers or manghihilot testify
that if the craving was not followed, abnormality of the child may result.
Pasma The concept of init (heat) and lamig (cold) and how the blending of these two can result in
illnesses, especially rheumatism. It is attributed to the sudden interaction of hot and cold in the
body, as when you wash your hands after ironing your clothes or cooking.
Naalimpungata Naalimpungatan describes that moment when you wake up suddenly and go back to sleep right
n after. It’s also used to describe that state of being half-asleep or half-awake.
Nakatuwaan People who were harmed by interactions with diwata are euphemistically described as having
been "greeted" (Visayan: gibati, Tagalog: nabati) or "played with" (Visayan gidulaan,
Tagalog: napaglaruan or nakatuwaan) by diwata.
Namaligno Namaligno is a term used by Filipinos for someone being affected by something magical or
supernatural. Maligno are spirits that haunt places or people. They can also disguise themselves as
regular people. If the Maligno takes a liking to a certain individual, it can cause harm to them.
Namatanda It means you have disturbed old spirits/entities who are now out to get back at you.
Usog A concept in which a baby who has been greeted by a stranger will acquire a mysterious illness.
Gabâ The Cebuano concept of negative Karma