Good morning, this is Psychology 101, I’m Professor Jose Sero. For the first two weeks of this course we’ll explore case studies in behaviorism using the textbook Why Am I Like This? by Dr. Headley Shrenk.  

You’ll become familiar with cognitive, behavioral, psychodynamic, and biological perspectives on how personality traits develop. Any questions, so far?

Our first case is “Sara Duterte: Nature or Nurture.” Biology or upbringing? Yes, Mr…

“Dessie Dido Sicopante, sir. Sir, are we politicizing this course?!”

Absolutely! You may have noticed Vice President Sara Duterte has earned lots of criticism as a public official. We will be analyzing why she is like that. 

Do her personality traits come from her “nature,” from genetic or biological predispositions, or are they learned from her environment and conditioning — from “nurture”?

Let’s first review her observed behavioral pattern. Who wants to start? Yes…

“Toby Tunay, sir. She says senators don’t have to be honest because the law does not require public officials to have a good moral character.”

Okay. Let’s see…Miss…Paz Serena Pacifica? 

“Well, she punched a local sheriff in the face in public over a disagreement. It’s like Hey, I’m the Mayor of Davao and a Duterte. I can do what I want, I’m the boss here, understand? And yet, she likes to post smiley and demure photos.” 

Yes, Mr…

“Christian Laquingpuso, sir. During the last typhoon and floods she flew to Germany just like that for a Taylor Swift concert. That’s not very sensitive of her as a public official. She just doesn’t seem to care about anybody.” 

Yes, Mr. Sicopante, you look very irritated.

“Sir, EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM IS BIAS AGAINST HER!”

That’s “biased,” Mr. Sicopante, not “bias.” Anyway, let’s continue.

You raised your hand, Mr.…Justo Mabilangin?

“She tried to make the government pay ten million pesos for her self-promoting children’s book that looks plagiarized and then attacked Senator Risa Hontiveros for questioning her. Previously, she called opponents of her multimillion-peso confidential fund request as enemies of peace. She acts like she’s entitled to anything she wants.” 

Any more? Yes, Miss…let’s see here, Mae Pacundangan? 

“Yes, sir. I’ve never seen an elected official act unapologetically like that. Perhaps she can do that in a small city where people are very afraid of her family, but she can’t do that in the national government and expect not to be challenged.”

Mr. Sicopante, you’re violently shaking your head again. You disagree with your colleagues.

“Sir, THAT JUST SHOWS MA’AM SARA IS NOT FAKE! She says it like it is. She’s not plastic. She’s popular because she’s very authentic, like her father who’s really authentic. If you ask me, enough of hypocrisy in elected office. LET SARA BE SARA, no holds barred!”

Class, before we consider his proposal’s potential impact on civilization, how would you summarize VP Sara Duterte’s behavioral pattern? Does it fit a specific psychological category? 

Yes, Miss Franca Masinop, I see your card says you’re the only Psych major in this class. What do you think?

“Well, sir, being pugnacious, self-centered, quick to anger and acting entitled like a spoiled brat, defying rules and bending the law for self-interest, as well as lack of empathy, compassion, and remorse­­  I’m afraid these are signs of uh…uh…”

Go ahead, don’t worry, this is satire.

“Sociopathy, sir, ASPD or anti-social personality disorder, according to the textbook’s American Psychological Association citation. She could be a, uh, a sociopath.”

Authentic ones

And why is she like that, Miss Masinop? Is it genetic or the result of conditioning?

“Psychologists say having a seriously flawed moral compass could be the result of both. But in VP Sara’s case, I think it’s mainly from her upbringing. Growing up in the entitled confines of unquestioned political power and privilege. Conditioned to be assertive and independent but for the wrong reasons. Instead of becoming a feminist warrior princess, she’s a warlord princess.”

So your categorical behavioristic conclusion is that she’s a textbook case of sociopathy…

“…As a result of being raised by a father who is definitely a sociopath…Actually, sir, errmm, sociopathy and psychopathy can overlap. Experts say psychopaths are sociopaths who are more dangerous, like mass murderers.” 

Uh, Mr. Sicopante, you obviously don’t agree?

“VEHEMENTLY, sir. Say what you will guys! You say Ma’am Sara and Tatay Digong are sociopaths? Fine! But the Filipino people love them because THEY ARE AUTHENTIC ONES!”

Alright, class, that’s all for today. Next week’s case study is “Harry Roque: Anxiety Disordered or Pogo Multimillionaire?” – Rappler.com

Rene Ciria Cruz is an editor at PositivelyFilipino.com. He edited the book A Time to Rise: Collective Memoirs of the Union of Democratic Filipinos (KDP), (UP Press), and was Inquirer.net’s US Bureau Chief 2013-2023. He has written for the San Francisco Examiner, San Francisco Chronicle, Pacific News Service, and California Lawyer Magazine.