This document summarizes a study presented at the 10th Biennial Conference of the Asian Association of Social Psychology in Yogyakarta, Indonesia in August 2013. The study examined the levels of individualism and collectivism, as well as motivational functions, among medical, psychosocial, and relief volunteers who assisted after Typhoon Sendong in the Philippines. It found differences in individualism/collectivism orientations and motivations between the volunteer groups. The document concludes with recommendations to foster volunteerism, including providing incentives, training to enhance collective tendencies, promoting civic responsibility, and conducting debriefing seminars.

1. Photos (1) retrieved from http://ph.news.yahoo.com/photos/typhoon-sendong-aftermath-1324268907-slideshow/
Photos (2) Retrieved from http://www.annalyn.net/2011/12/18/storm-sendong-aftermath-photos/
Photos (3) Retrieved from http://rdrrac.wordpress.com/2011/12/21/35-braved-to-volunteer/
Photos (4) Retrieved from http://www.bountyfreshchicken.com/bounty-fresh-and-chooks-to-go-in-operation-sendong-2/
Photos (5) Retrieved from http://www.msuiit.edu.ph/news/news-detail.php?id=318
Photos (6) Retrieved from http://www.goodshepherdsisters.org.ph/news/sendong-update

2. 10th Biennial Conference of
Asian Association of
Social Psychology
Yogyakarta, Indonesia
August 21-24, 2013
by: Dr. Alma G. Maranda
Ms. Karen J. Saladaga
Department of Psychology, CASS
MSU-IIT, Iligan City,
Philippines

3. INDIVIDUALISM
Hofstede (1980) – focus on rights above duties, concern
for oneself and immediate family
Waterman (1984) – focus on personal responsibility and
freedom of choice
Schwartz (1990) – consist of narrow primary groups with
specific obligations

4. Self Determination Theory (SDT) – seek challenges and strive for
excellence (Dece, 2002)
Theories On Collectivism
Social Identity ( Hogg and Abrams) - a person’s knowledge that
he or she belongs to a social category or group”
Identity Theory ( Burke and Tully) - categorization of the self as an
occupant of a role, and the incorporation into the self, and the
meanings and expectations associated with that role and its
performance
Role Identity – carrying out behavior to perform the expectations

5. Oyserman (2a002) – groups bind and mutually obligate
individuals
Schwartz (1990) – characterized by diffuse and mutual
obligations and expectations based on
ascribed statuses
Triandis (1995) – oriented towards in – groups and away
from the out-groups

6. Functional Approach ( Gil and Synyder) – people are
purposeful, planful and goal-directed.
Theory of Altruism ( Bar-Tal, Karylowski) – altruistic behavior
must benefit another person, must be performed
voluntarily, must be performed intentionally.
Escape Theory ( Baumeister) - individuals indulge in
activities that may help them got away from their
lives or characters with which they are not happy.

7. Social Impact Theory ( Latane et al.)- states that the
likelihood that a person will respond to social
influence will increase with
Situated Learning Theory ( Lave and Wenger)- learning is
embedded within the activity, context and culture
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs - people need to engage
themselves to gain recognition and have an activity
that give the person a sense of contribution

8. 2. To what extent are the Sendong Volunteers motivated to function as
volunteers?
a.Values function d. Career function
b.Understanding function e. Social function
c.Enhancement function f. Protective Function
1. What is the level of individualism and collectivism experienced by the
Medical, Psychosocial and the Relief Volunteers in terms of :
a. Horizontal
b. vertical

9. 3. Is there a significance difference in the level of Individualism and
Collectivism among the Medical, Psychosocial and Relief
volunteers?
4. Is there a significant difference in the motivational function of
the Medical, Psychosocial, and the Relief Volunteers?
5. Is there a significant interaction in the personal orientation and
motivation functions of the Medical, Psychosocial and the Belief
Volunteer?

10. SENDONG
VOLUNTEERS
Relief-volunteers
Medical volunteers
Psychosocial
volunteers
Personal
Orientation
Value
Motivational
Functions
Career
Social
Understanding
Enhancement
Protective
Individualism
Collectivism
Horizontal
Vertical
Uniqueness
Self-Reliance
Competition
Achievement
Harmony
Relatedness
In-group
Preferences
Role
Emphasis
Vertical
Horizontal

11. Individualism Medical Psychosocial Relief
Uniqueness Low HIGH Low
Self- Reliance HIGH Low HIGH
Competition HIGH Low Low
Achievement Low HIGH HIGH
Personal Orientation

12. Collectivism Medical Psychosocial Relief
Harmony HIGH HIGH Low
Relatedness Low Low HIGH
In- Group
Preference
Low Low Low
Role Emphasis HIGH HIGH HIGH

13. Functions Medical Team Psychosocial Relief
Career Somewhat Important Important Somewhat
Important
Social VERY IMPORTANT VERY IMPORTANT Important
Values Less Important Important VERY
IMPORTANT
Understanding Somewhat Important Somewhat Important VERY
IMPORTANT
Enhancing Important Important Important
Protective Somewhat Important VERY IMPORTANT Less Important

14. 1. Since findings suggest that Individualistic orientations are good
predictors for volunteering in the future, this study recommends
that although volunteering implies free service, there should be
some kind of incentives for the volunteers such as proper
recognition
For Horizontal Individualists – Self – reliance is as much
needed source for those who want to volunteer since
volunteerism requires a great amount of resolve and effort.
For Vertical Collectivists – achievement is a greater
motivator for most people, institutions, and organizations
that foster volunteerism should be able to utilize rewards

15. 2. Collectivism has been found to be an important aspect of
effective volunteers. This study suggests that institutions and
organizations as well as government units that ADVOCATE
VOLUNTEERISM should conduct trainings that could enhance these
collective tendencies
3. Motivational Functions
This study found out that social pressures are important
motivation for volunteers. This study suggests that a call for
volunteerism through seminars and trainings are needed to
foster a life long commitment to service and build awareness
of civic responsibility.

16. Since it was found out that values is a very important
motivator but was given less importance by the
volunteers, it is recommended that volunteering
organizations conduct seminars and trainings about the
native of volunteerism and how it is beneficial to humanity.
Although understanding function is regarded as only
somewhat important it is regarded as second most
important motivator across literatures about volunteer
motivation. Volunteering organizations should also help out
those who are interested in volunteering by spreading
information on how to volunteer

17. The protective function is one of those motivations which is
not very much explored. This study suggest to include
debriefing seminar towards volunteer every after they finish
a mission. This is to evaluate whether volunteering has
indeed helped them or how it is worsened whatever
negative feelings they have.
Prepared by:
Rufino Rego G. Sanchez
BS Psychology IV
MSU-IIT, Iligan City
Philippines
Thank You Very Much!