Macro-psychology vs Micro-psychology

Macro-psychology versus Micro Psychology

Mimicking the microeconomics and macroeconomics perspective, psychology could also benefit from this perspective.  Macro-psychology connotes a perspective of looking at the bigger picture while Micro-psychology denotes the opposite spectrum of this paradigm and that is of looking at the details of a particular model.

Macro-psychology then in its simplest notion is about looking at the bigger picture while micro-psychology is the opposite.

Since economics is about looking at the allocation of limited resources of man versus the unlimited wants of man and the usage of macroeconomics and microeconomics pertains to economic factors and elements; macro-psychology is focused on the impact of a particular behavior to the overall scheme of things, micro-psychology is about details of a particular behavior.

Usage of this concept could be beneficial on topics causality and effect of a particular behavior to the overall direction of a behavioral equation.

This is not really an original idea, in fact, this is even a derivative notion but the usage and methods in the field of psychology could certainly benefit from the use of the above-mentioned theoretical model.

Davao

Davao (092919)

The last time I was in Davao was in 1995, and last week because of a convention held in this lovely city – I was back again in Davao after twenty-four (24) long years. 

I never really intended to be back in this city that ironically gave birth to the current Duterte presidency.  The fellow still has an ongoing martial law in effect in the entire island of Mindanao and for political reasons as well as for financial reasons, I made a promise to myself that I would only be returning to the land of my parents once it is rid of the martial law rule.

Life however has a different plan, a convention by the Psychological Association of the Philippines was held in Davao and though my attendance is not really that needed (for license renewal), an opportunity presented itself, a convention budget was won and made available and so, there I was in the epicenter of martial law rule in Mindanao.

A side story was that, even though the budget was already approved, and because of my reluctance to visit Davao, I even offered my slot to a co-faculty.  Fortunately or unfortunately, she declined the opportunity hence I had to option but to proceed and use the approved budget and off to the mouth of the wanna be dictator , I proceeded. 

Since I last remembered it, Davao have changed and ironically have not also changed.  The landscape has changed, there is a current construction boom – owning to the fact that the current occupant of the Malacanang Palace came from this city.  Twenty-four years ago, SM department store has yet to open a branch and now, SM has to malls operating inside Davao.

I stayed for three nights and four days in Davao, and since I lived for two years there previously, four days is obviously not enough to relive and re create by former stay in Davao.

I stayed at the Royal Mandaya Hotel, courtesy of RGO Review Center and it was a grand hotel in the process of renovating itself and still in the process of recapturing its lost glory years.  My stay however was pleasant and luxurious.  The hotel was in the middle of the city of Davao.  I was able to visit the site of the Philippine Eagle and the famous crocodile farm.  Between the two, the effort and the hassle of visiting the Philippine Eagle farm was worth the energy expended – the crocodile farm however was a big letdown.  It was no better than the Manila Zoo.

In my last day, I visited the San Pedro Church in the middle of the city and walked for a while revisiting the hustle and bustle of what life could have been had I stayed in Davao.  It is weird playing the what if game considering that it could really be an alternative life for me had life took another turn.  The possibilities really, are endless but the outcome would have been the same. 

I would be the same person but with a different credentials.  I really don’t think that I would be able to pursue my graduate studies and earned a doctorate degree had I stayed in Davao, but I think that I would be criminally richer.  Not that I am rich right now, but far wealthier had I stayed and gambled my luck in Davao.

092919

Judgments

Judgments

We make a hundred of decisions on a daily basis; some are important decisions while majority of them are done automatically (and most, if not all are unimportant decisions) with bias as a main driver.  Some are classified as unimportant because they are not life changing or life altering decisions. 

Taken as a whole judgement is an informed decision based on a collection of facts.  A judgement is based on reasoning; it could either be inductive reasoning or deductive reasoning.  Our reasoning could be swayed with prejudice and this prejudice could either be my side bias or confirmation bias.

Attitude can affect judgement.  And since attitude is the reaction of an individual on a certain person, place, thing or an event; an attitude is also subjective.  Hence, it is safe to assume that every judgement is also almost always subjective.  If you have a religious person as a head of government, then it is almost a certainty that most policies would be bent towards the spectrum of religious orientation.  If you have a gambler as a head of state, expect the blossoming of a gamblers mentality fused with governance.  Judgement would follow the bias, and the bias is determined by attitude.

My side bias shows how people can evaluate evidence in a way that is biased toward their own opinions and attitudes while confirmation bias occurs when people look for information that conforms to their hypothesis and ignore information that refutes it.

The ramification of a certain decision is felt for years.  If it was a good decision, people are glad for such a good decision, if it turns out to be a bad decision, people laments such an unfortunate decision.  In my experience, if you stretch a decision long enough; a good decision is actually bad in the long run, while a bad decision is actually a good one if the situation is stretch longer than what is expected.  In a series of events, pulled longer than usual, a protagonist becomes an antagonist while an antagonist could become a protagonist depending on the scenario, situation and perspective.

Not all languages are created equal

Not all languages are created equal

The mastery or usage of a language is never a determinant of a person’s intelligence but just like any normal individual, people commonly equate a language mastery with intellectual superiority.

Right or wrong, in the Philippines, English proficiency is unfairly equated with above-average intelligence; whenever an individual displays a certain mastery of the colonial English language, the unstated assumption always is that this person must be an intelligent person, hence must be treated differently.

To the common mind, usually operating under the Helmholz likelihood principle and unconscious inference might be true but for the uncommon mind with a complex uncommon sense, such an assumption does not necessary follows.  For the select few, they look at the content of the message, they examine the language, and more on the fallacy of logic used to argue a certain point.

The same argument in the same context and usage but delivered in either in English and Filipino yields different consideration and affirmation.  Depending on the recipient of the message, not all languages are created equal.  The common masses now tend to view Filipino as common while the English language as something that is a notch above.

The twist here is that value of English is deemed high though the impact on the intended recipients is lesser as opposed to the usage of the Filipino nomenclature.

Hence, if one wants to reach a broader audience, the use of Filipino is more effective while English appears more elitist.  Currently, the use of either English and Filipino and its effectiveness in the delivery of message is dependent on the recipient of the message.

And at the risk of being redundant, not all languages are created equal, some are just plainly more effective compared to others.  Besides, using “shit” is always better than using “tae”.

September 9, 2019

Perception

Perception

Philosophically, perception is just an image of something that is more tangible.  Psychologically, perception is an interpretation of a person, a place, a thing or even an event.  And since this is psychological, such is subjective and such is far from reality.  Perception might approximate reality but it will never be an equivalent of reality.

Herman von Helmholz (1821-1894) postulated that the human eye sees things differently, hence there is a multitude of version of what one is actually perceiving, the main reason that we are seeing things uniformly is because of the existence of likelihood principle and the process of unconscious inference.  Theoretically, perception could distort reality depending on the state of the senses and cognition of an individual.

One way of using and manipulating the concept of perception is the usage of words and language.  Joseph Goebbels once said that a lie oftentimes repeated becomes the truth.  So a practical application of perception would be to lie so as to distort reality and bending a reality according to what one would like it be.  Just like a painter, reality is your canvass.  According to the usage, manipulation and subtlety of reality bending lies being utilized.

A caveat for this perception bending design (i.e lying), though one could get away for a time, or even get away most of the time; one cannot get away with lying all the time.  Philosophically, the truth eventually comes out.  Reality eventually supersedes perception.

In the realm of cognitive psychology, for a time, perception could be distorted but eventually, reality exposes everything. 

September 7, 2019  

Fury

The God of Fury

Somewhere in the realm of Olympus, there is a god of fury.  Though there is much focus and stories expended on the exploits of Zeus, Athena, Loki or even Mercury, there is a god that is seldom mentioned and whispered only when necessary, among trusted friends.

He is the god of fury.  Now this god doesn’t even have a proper name but all of the named and famous Greek gods have played host and most assuredly played second fiddle to his ploys, whims and exploits.  Behind every godly tantrum, his signature is always found and established.  In fact, only a handful is aware that the first Great War in Olympus that eventually banished the titans bears the signature of this unknown god.

Yes, there is a god of intrigue, a god of deception and even a god of lies.  The god of fury however is very subtle.  He doesn’t take the credit but his creation is there to see for those who are willing to see and appreciate his tapestry of creation.

And now, in this era, time and age.  The age principally dedicated to the advancement of science, pleasure and comfort.  This god lives amongst us.  He is unknown, he is seldom noticed, but he is always lurking within the fringe of our psyche.

Crimes of passion are his usual handiworks, but the more subtle art of bearing grudges is his masterpiece.

Humans have committed crimes in his name.  Death, injury and chaos are the usual derivative of his work.  Sometimes, people wake up angry – sometimes, people sleep with anger in their hearts.  But regardless whether one is sleeping or waking up, one’s anger always lead to something regrettable later on.

So how do we control and contained this destructive god?  An effective mantra was devised to counter his influence.  “It is not right to be angry, if you are right – you do not have to, if you are wrong – you cannot afford to”.

We really have to control our fury, because if we don’t?  We will always be under the influence of this crafty god.

There is a battle for supremacy that is being waged in his name.  We really ought to triumph over this challenge or we will be forever under his rule and whims.  He who controls his anger wins. He may gnash his teeth, beat his chest or even shout inside your mind – but if you don’t give in to his impulse and influence, one is usually able to tame him.  And he might leave you alone.  But such is no guarantee that he wouldn’t be back later.

If you listen hard enough, you might even hear the whisper of his name…  He goes by the name of Temper…

Displacement

Displacement

In the field of psychology, displacement denotes an emotion that is directed to somebody else.  It is a type of defense mechanism, where the ego feels threatened and as a defense, displaces the object of the said action from A to B. 

More commonly, the emotion is anger.  The person, for one reason or another, cannot expressed the anger for subject A, and since emotions needs expression, such anger was finally directed to subject B. 

Now, there is a variety of emotions.  It could be joy, fear, disgust, desire and sorrow (there are many more emotions, but for the sake of simplicity, we are just limiting ourselves in the enumerated emotions).  Displacement is a close relative of compensation theory.  This happens when a person makes up for something that is perceived to be lacking.  Grandparents tend to spoil their grandchildren to make up for the perceived shortcomings that they committed (or did not commit) with their children.

Desire is also an unexplored topic in displacement.  Men turned on by other women turn their desires to their better half.   Indirectly, a desire for other women led to a happy sexual life for married women. The sexual stimulation for men needs an outlet, and usually, the nearest and the most convenient outlet is the wife (and/or girlfriend).

May 8, 2019

Government Bureaucracy

Government Bureaucracy

It is a common knowledge that government by its very nature is an inefficient entity.  Never let a government agency run anything or operate anything, it will always be hounded by inefficient system and redundant processes.  Nobody wants to take responsibility and its personnel have the tendency to be lazy.  Delay is always inevitable and mindless procedures and protocols are the constant rulers.

Stupidity, like a moon, is always hovering around when there is scent of irrationality in any government transaction.  Except for some notable exceptions, such is the very state of Philippine bureaucracy.

The Philippine educational system, which is supposed to be the bastion of hope and intelligence, is also not immune to this mindless monster.  It is supposed to educate students, but instead – the reverse is transpiring and defeating the very source of its existence.  While there are over 100 state universities and colleges, only handfuls are worth mentioning, the rest are mediocre and downright corrupt.

The same is true for the other branches or agencies of the government.  I stay clear of government offices and institutions.  They are greedy, they are ridden with corruption, and they are stupid and downright inefficient.

Last week, I had a brush in with a government entity.  I was supposed to deliver a check payment for an affiliation fee.  The check is in the name of the agency, and surprisingly, the government hospital refuses to accept the check since we cannot establish the name of the student.  From the billing department, I was told to go to the accounting office, and from the accounting office, I was told to go to the psychiatric office and from the psychiatric office, I was told to proceed to the administration office and all to no avail.  At the end of the day, the check was not accepted and I was told to go back when I already know the identity of the student.

Now this is wrong on so many levels.  I was bearing a check which is potential revenue for the government hospital.  But I was pointed to proceed to different offices and ended up wasting time with my transaction still not satisfied.  Here you are, with a check on hand and still refused the simple service of accepting the customary payment for a simple service.

If the transaction was with private organization, it would have been a simple deal.  But since it was with the government, trust them to make it complicated and a waste of time procedure.

All in all, it was a classical government transaction that is inherent in all government agencies and offices.  Inefficient and full of bureaucratic redundancies.  I am supposed to go back this week and I do not relish the thought of towing their line of stupidity.

May 7, 2019

San Miguel Beermen (April 26, 2019)

San Miguel Beermen

For the 5^th consecutive years, SMB have always competed for the finals of the All Filipino Conference in the local Philippine Basketball Association.  They have already won it four times straight and this year, they are gunning for their 5^th all Filipino title.

The anchor of course, is the once in a generation player in the person of their center position.  The ever dominant player, Junemar Fajardo.  Winning the MVP for the fourth time, the fellow is still not done in writing and re-writing PBA history.

Added to the mix is a cast of superlative players who are by themselves are also great players and you have in the mix, right before your very eyes, one of the greatest basketball team assembled (locally, that is). 

Aside from the first five players, you also have a second five players, who would definitely play a first five position in another team – but since SMB is packed with talented players, a second five playing position will just have to suffice.  The team is laden with so many talents that winning championships is just simply a normal thing for them.  The reinforced conference where there is an import is 80% dependent on the quality of import hired, but the local players remain and play a pivotal role when the import is having an off night.

Regardless of the opponent for the championship, SMB will certainly dominate and I even predict boldly, would win their 5^th consecutive all Filipino title.  On the opposite side of the spectrum, ROS and Magnolia are still contesting the right to fight SMB for the crown.  And it really doesn’t matter; both teams are inferior to SMB in terms of talent and destiny.

It will not be a sweep, SMB will lose a game or two in the finals, but make no mistake, SMB will win the all Filipino cup.  That is a certainty, as certain as the sun rising in the east and setting on the west.  It will be a conference dominated by SMB.

The coach is underrated, but he is a winner.  SMB was already a powerhouse long before the entry of its coach, Leo Austria.  But Mr. Austria transformed SMB from a contender into a champion.  And surprisingly, he is just what the team needed.

At any rate, SMB will dominate the all Filipino cup for a very long time, as long as the team in infused with new blood, and with the anchor of great players still playing to their form, I will have a long year ahead of me as a winner. 

Psychology has a relative concept for this.  It is called BIRG-ing (or basking in reflected glory) and admittedly, I am in such a state.  The opposite of this concept is CORF-ing (or cutting off reflected failure).  There is nothing wrong with BIRG-ing, in fact, I am just enjoying the time where my chosen team is victorious. Because truth be told, life is a series of ups and downs, and in basketball, such is also true.  SMB cannot sustain this championship run for a long time and I am just enjoying the moment.

April 26, 2019

PRRD and China (April 25, 2019)

PRRD and China

China have been at the receiving end of history and while America is still the dominant power, China is an emerging power.  History will teach us that whenever there is a face-off between the dominant power versus the emerging power, the dominant power will always prevail but only at a certain level - over time, as more conflict and confrontation arises, the dominant power loses its edge and the emerging power eventually assumes the leadership position.

America is still the dominant and the only true superpower left in the planet, bus such a position is not forever.  Sooner or later, China will take over and that would be the end of that political equation. 

As of this date, China is starting to challenge and flex its muscle.  Testing the resolve of the dominant power whether it would yield its hold on contested geopolitical footholds or grudgingly let go and face the inevitable.

Somewhere in the middle of this geopolitical Olympics is the Philippines.  Traditionally, the Philippines is an ally of America but in its last presidential elections, the country elected an unusual president in the person of Rodrigo R. Duterte.  What makes his election unusual is that PRDD is currently pivoting his foreign affairs policies from a pro-US stance to a pro-China stance.

While the country was always accused of being a lapdog or a client state of USA, now the same country is changing its master.  From a US western direction, to an eastern China stance. 

China is on the threshold of replacing USA as a dominant power and the struggle is currently afoot.  Realistically, it would still be around 2050 before China could really claim its billing, but challenges are now being faced head on.

While the presidential victory of PRRD was no surprise, his pivot towards China was totally unexpected and was never politically predicted.  The ramifications of his win is still being digested and the political results are still in the process of re-shaping RP-US relations as well as RP-China relations.

PRRD is the oldest elected Philippine president and the most vocal one, in terms of juvenile delinquency.  His tirades and cussing were once directed at the US president, the Pope, the UN Secretary General or anyone who is considered to be a western player.

At the opposing end, PRRD is all praises for China.  Though the previous administration won a historic legal victory against China, PRRD is suspending or watering down the legal victory by dancing to the tune of Chinese beat.

To this date, he is currently in China, in a state visit, soliciting funds and loans to make up for the loans that he rejected from the west since they carry a string that is politically and philosophically against his dictatorial tendencies.

The common regret now of the electors is that they voted for someone who is morally and philosophically unqualified to run the country from the presidential office.  They elected someone who takes a short-cut in curing criminality, poverty, and judicial cases.

Someone who instead of filing cases will just simply resort to extra judicial killings, someone who would borrow the future – to ease the current hardship and someone who bullies people rather than command and earn their respect.   

Such is the irony of PRRD and China.

April 25, 2019

Endgame (April 24, 2019)

Endgame

For some, it is the beginning that matters, while for others, it is the current status or middle part that counts while for the shrewd, it is always about the ending (or for the purpose of this writing, the endgame).  This article is about this writer’s musing about the epilogue.  The prologue might be interesting; it explains the origin of what and whom.  The epilogue however shows the summation of all events leading to such and such.

The film of the year or the most anticipated film of the year starts its screening today, April 24, 2019.  Ironically, the story centers on a juvenile plotline of people with extraordinary powers against villains with exceptional powers as well.  Biblically, it is a classic tale of good versus evil and normally, after an initial failure and downfall – the good always trumps over evil.

The same is true for this latest Avengers installment aptly entitled “Endgame”.  While it is a mini tradition now in my family to watch this film on its opening day, for the first time this day, I skipped work in the morning to view the film first thing in the morning (around 8 AM at SM Fairview) so as to finally settle the nagging issue in my mind; about what happens after the first part/installment of the film titled “Infinity War”.

And true to form, the film does not disappoint, issues were settled and plotlines were closed.  I was just looking at the entire SM Cinemas in the entire archipelago and not surprisingly, all of them will show nothing but the latest Avengers installment.  That is a nationwide showing for only one film, not counting the other smaller movie houses in the country.

Sociologically, the significance of this is that people are again going to the movies, this proves the theory that the practice of movie watching is still alive and that if there is a quality film about and around, people would line up – spend hard earned money, just to see and enjoy them.  People are again with one another, going in line, braving the summer heat, just to be together with someone who is important to them personally and watch movies.  People are again spending time with one another to bond and to enjoy each other’s company.  People again are relating and are renewing their relationship and ironically; this film is making it all happen.  The good and the just will always win in the end.

Economically, good and great movies still deliver blockbuster revenues which in turn illuminate and inspire moviegoers.  The producers will make a killing, in terms of revenues and this in turn will give them more courage to create films that is inherently good and not just commercially viable.  Short of being heroic, the creators, the doers, the people who made this particular film possible deserves a pat on the shoulder.  A pat for a job well done and timely done as well.

Psychologically, people still long for the ideal men.  Men who are inherently good; men who are able to do extraordinary things; to right a wrong; to defend the weak and to be godlike in the dispensation of justice. 

No life is certain (April 23, 2019)

No life is certain

Yesterday, a mediocre earthquake shook Metro Manila, it was measured are around 5.7 in terms of intensity and locality and 6.1 from the Richter scale in terms of magnitude.

The epicenter was in Zambales and the result was a supermarket collapse in Porac, Pampanga, resulting in 8 deaths (at least) and a score of injuries.  Classes were suspended, government offices in Metro Manila were also suspended pending the necessary clearances from the government to move on with life and their respective operations.

Personally, I was on the road when the earthquake happened and I did not notice it.  What I noticed was the reaction of the masses to the event.  Clearly, the government is not ready for such an eventuality and all preparation were for naught when an actual earthquake transpired.

With the benefit of hindsight, just imagine if a higher magnitude happens and the epicenter is in the Metro Manila.  For certain, the death toll would be higher, the injuries would be higher, and the damages to property and infrastructure would be more massive.  The lack of preparation would be more evident. 

Economically, this would translate to more hardships for the poor and an exploitation opportunity for the craven.  The economy would fluctuate and the poor would carry and endure the burden of such an act of god.  Even the term an act of god is a misnomer since why would we attribute a normal phenomenon to god?  Because an earthquake is a natural phenomenon, as of 6:00 AM, this very morning, 608 aftershocks were already recorded and counting and there would still be more movement since daily, the world literally spins on its axis.

Psychologically, the death resulting from this recent earthquake reminds us that no life is certain.  Rich or poor, high or low, we are all subject to the whims of tide.  Just as every tide kissing the shore is unique, just as every grain of sand is unique, every life and its resulting outcome are not certain.  One could plot and scheme his way in life but life would naturally take its course well beyond the planning and scheming expended.

Death is certain, life is not.  Hard work and its parallel expenditure are tangible but the result is still intangible, it is still not a certainty whether the result would be according to one’s desire and design. In general, life is a disappointment and acceptance (or its level of acceptance) determines the level of happiness one extracts from life.

And speaking of extraction, philosophically, the age old wisdom of time being fleeting is never truer.  At any given time, life could be gone.  Everyone wishes to die on their own terms, but the reality is that only few are accorded from such a request.  Our time ticks whether we spend it wisely or waste it stupidly.  They say that youth is wasted on the young, and that the old are perpetually jealous of the young because of the energy and time that the young possesses.  The irony here is that the old were once young and they too; wasted their youth.

And so, the cycle of jealousy begins and never ceases.  Ironically, yesterday was also declared of the official Earth Day for the year.  The jest is that Earth once again proves that it dances to the beat of its own tune.

Comparatively, the death toll extracted by this recent earthquake pales in comparison to the death toll extracted from Sri Lanka by some still unnamed terrorist group.  The death toll was 290 and the number of hurt is around 500 and still counting.

April 23, 2019