“Edi ikaw na matalino!” A Literary Review on a research article tackling smart-shaming in the philippines

The research entitled “E, di Ikaw na ang Matalino! Isang Pagsusuri sa Penomenon ng Smart-Shaming sa mga Pilipinong Gumagamit ng Facebook” discussed how the Filipinos embrace ignorance, wherein one is considered to be with the masses if they are not intellectual—resulting in smart-shaming. Although it was not explained thoroughly, crab mentality was used to explain smart-shaming. Crab mentality is a known negative Filipino trait, along with ningas kugon, mañana habit, and among others.

Another possible motivator of smart-shaming as noted by the researchers is fanaticism. This is a phenomenon wherein there is a lack of sobriety to those who have differing opinions. Oftentimes, those who are fanatics to a certain subject (politicians, religion, etc.) resort to smart-shaming those who have opposing ideals. This kind of behaviour observed by those who have experience being smart-shamed has been correlated with the concept of crab mentality.

Additionally, Asian values were considered to be a motivator in smart-shaming. These values are collectivistic in nature wherein Asians praise behaviour that is considered obedient and agreeable to the majority. Shaming is considered to be a manifestation of a collectivistic value where those who do not agree with the majority are ostracised. Taking into account that the Philippines is an Asian country, collectivistic in nature, shaming—or smart-shaming, to be precise—could be evident.With regards to indigenous concepts in Filipino Psychology, the researchers related the concept of kapwa to smart-shaming. Kapwa is a concept in Filipino psychology that guides the behaviour of Filipinos and values respect towards other people. Having individualistic thoughts separate from others would consider the person “walang kapwa-tao”, and would be noted as “Not One-of-Us” or “Ibang Tao”. Because of this, the researchers have given thought that smart-shaming is a manifestation of behaviour to those who are “not one-of-us”, considering that smart-shaming often happens to those who have ideals different from the majority.

It could be said that the published article would be categorised as a Filipino Psychology research because the primary focus of the paper is behaviour that is seen specifically in Filipinos. The study aims to understand the reason and motivation as to why some Filipino individuals resort to smart-shaming.The research also made use of indigenous concepts such as kapwa and hiya. The researchers deduced that there may be a link between these concepts and smart-shaming. With the use of indigenous concepts, we can say that this research would be classified under Filipino psychology.

Image from Rappler.com by Mara Elize Mercado

Reference

Rodriguez, R. D. (2017, November 16). E, di Ikaw na ang Matalino! Isang Pagsusuri sa Penomenon ng Smart-Shaming sa mga Pilipinong Gumagamit ng Facebook. Diwa E-Journal, 5. https://www.pssp.org.ph/diwa/diwa-e-journal-tomo-5-nobyembre-2017-e-di-ikaw-na-ang-matalino-isang-pagsusuri-sa-penomenon-ng-smart-shaming-sa-mga-pilipinong-gumagamit-ng-facebook/