Psychology Behind the K-Wave: Why Filipinos Are Hooked

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Over the past decade, a captivating phenomenon has taken the world by storm - the Korean Culture craze. From learning how to speak and read Hangul during the pandemic to obsessively following K-pop and K-drama, Filipinos have been drawn into this global cultural wave. Including myself!

The surge in interest isn't merely coincidental; it's deeply rooted in the psychology of human behavior. Why has K-Culture captured the hearts of millions worldwide, particularly in the Philippines?

Escapism and Fantasy

The allure of escapism and fantasy lies at the heart of the K-Culture craze. For Filipinos seeking an escape from the routine, K-dramas offer a captivating alternative that allows them to immerse themselves in a world of romance, adventure, and excitement.

According to a study conducted by Kircaburun et al. (2021), Mukbang watching has been found to have beneficial consequences. It seems to alleviate feelings of loneliness and social isolation by creating a virtual social community. 

Challenging the Societal Pressure to Get Married

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Have you ever wondered why there's so much pressure to get married, even though it's not a requirement?

It's like a weight that suddenly falls upon you the moment you hit 25 and enter the realm of adulthood. The quarter-life crisis hits you like a tidal wave, and you find yourself grappling with responsibilities you never thought much about before.

You're expected to secure a good job, earn a certain amount of money, and, of course, find a life partner. But let's be honest, getting married doesn't hold the same importance as building a successful career or creating a better life for yourself. Yet, those around you seem to believe that hitting a certain age automatically means it's time to settle down and start a family.

I've personally experienced this firsthand. I've been with my husband for 12 years, including our time as girlfriend and boyfriend. When I was single, I constantly faced relentless questioning about when I would settle down. Now that I'm in a committed relationship, I understand why people are curious about it, but I, too, had my own uncertainties. I had no clue when my partner would pop the question, and I eagerly anticipated that moment. Social gatherings became a breeding ground for constant pressure and interrogations.

But here's the thing: regardless of whether that proposal comes when expected or not, the lingering feeling of needing to get married takes a toll on your mental and emotional well-being. It becomes an additional burden amidst all the other significant responsibilities and pressures life throws at you.

Stop Feeling Guilty for Taking a Well-Deserved Break

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It's been a while since I've had the luxury of time to pour my thoughts out in an expressive post. You see, I needed to put a halt on blogging to focus on other important matters such as completing my graduate studies, professional website writing, and working full-time for an HR consulting firm.

"How many hours do you have in a day, Anna?" a friend of mine quipped. She was so boggled by how many tasks were on my plate. Her query made me realize that slowing down is not in my nature.

Whether I am taking on a new hobby or studying new things to grow professionally and personally, I always keep myself occupied. In the rare days that I get to embody a couch potato, I relish the time I spend with my favorite shows on Netflix. I indulge in those days when I can fully relax and not think of anything else.

However, not everyone delights in the idea of slowing down. Some people feel guilty about taking well-deserved breaks.


Ask yourself: "Am I prioritizing work or school over my health?"

Our society tends to put a greater importance on our careers and academic achievements than our physical health. Many of us do not stand and stretch our legs every half hour. We do not stretch our wrists before typing. Furthermore, we do not reduce our screen time, as recommended by health professionals. It is not just our physical health that is deteriorating!

Why Do We Love?

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As negativity infiltrate social media and as unfortunate events make noise, it takes conscious effort to highlight the goodness in the world. Hence, I steered my focus on love. Why do we love? 

 Love is addicting, beautiful, heart-breaking, and exciting! Often, these descriptions are felt at the same time. Why do we choose to put ourselves inside this emotional roller-coaster? Does love make our lives meaningful or does it help us to escape from existential loneliness? If romantic love serves a purpose, what is it exactly? 

 Not one law has been put to place regarding the reason why human beings fall in love. Nonetheless, here are some interesting theories. 

 #1: LOVE IS AN ARTISTIC EXPRESSION

 I have gathered the opinions of my Interior Designer and Photographer friends to elaborate the reason why love exists. To them, love is a form of self-expression that binds society. Acts of love are performative and creative. You perform the acts of service, time, and touch. On the other hand, you creatively express through giving gifts and words. There is a sense of fulfillment in receiving validation from your partner (or "audience"). 

 Much like art, love helps us to connect to our audience given our imperfections. It makes life worth living!
"We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for." 
- Dead Poets Society movie

Quarantine Survival Guide: How To Beat The Cabin Fever

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 Due to the worldwide pandemic of COVID-19, many countries have imposed community quarantine. As we are practicing social distancing and our abilities to go to outside are restricted, many of us have felt the "cabin fever" in one way or the other. What exactly is cabin fever?

 Cabin fever is not categorized as a Psychological disorder yet. However, its origins date back to the early 1800s when people were home bound due to the typhus fever. It is the unpleasant feeling experienced by a person in isolation for a period of time. It was recently described by Mr. Vaile Wright, who is a Psychologist and a Director of clinical research and quality at the American Psychological Association.

 According to him, cabin fever: "involves a range of negative emotions and distress related to restricted movement: irritability, boredom, some hopelessness and even, behaviorally, restlessness and difficulty concentrating. Those would be the constellation of symptoms one might expect if they were feeling that way."

 Many people can perceive being in a quarantine as being trapped in an isolation chamber created to protect us. Boredom, irritability, and hopelessness are some of the most common emotions you see on social media platforms these days. It is perfectly normal to be scared when faced with this serious pandemic that has taken many lives. Know that your feelings are valid.

Why Is It So Hard To Trust?

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It is difficult to encapsulate the true meaning of the word TRUST.

 Generally speaking, trust is the firm belief on someone or something. You may also attach "vulnerability" to the act of trust. Vulnerability in terms of showing someone's unwavering strengths and hidden weaknesses. It is so interesting to see how a single word carries a different weight from one person to another. What's more? There are two types of trust according to the Social Psychologists.

 THE TWO POLES

 When it comes to the game of love, there is a reason why your closest friends advice you to think with your head and not with your heart. You see, these divisions have roots in the way we trust others. Social Psychology states that the two types of trust are Cognitive and Affective Trust. 

 As the name suggests, Cognitive Trust is based on one's existing knowledge and exposure to evidence. This is also called as "trusting with your head". On the other hand, Affective Trust exists due to the emotional ties we build with others. It is the confidence we place on others based on our intersections with them. 

How To Interact With Needy Individuals (Including Yourself)

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Before we get down to business, I must define what neediness and being needy really is.

 Neediness is considered as a condition of indigence. People with low socioeconomic status feel this condition. On the other hand, a needy person is insecure and codependent. He or she usually uses tactics to gain approval, attention, or both. 

 As with everything, there are two sides of the story. There are those who deal with the needy individuals and those who deal with their emotional conflicts. Continue reading on to know more!

Does A Paid Cup Of Coffee Taste Better Than A Free One?

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Paying for our purchases with cold, hard cash hurts!

Why is this so? Let us look at how one cup of coffee led to a revealing discovery in consumer science.

Avni Shah, an assistant marketing professor, relies on a latte for a morning fix. Her routine is simple. She walks into a coffee shop, orders her usual cup of joe, and swipes her card.

These steps were automatically embedded into her daily regimen - as if her morning was on repeat. However, she forgot her debit card one day. Forced to take a break from her routine, she paid for her coffee by counting her cash. As she sipped her warm cup of coffee, she felt a significant difference. The cup that she paid for cash seemingly tasted better!

How Does The "Beauty Premium" Affect Your Salary

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We have all got that one friend who seems to have it all – conventionally possessing good looks and a well-paying job. Not to mention, the countless romances that come their way. At least in the professional sense, physical appearance is a huge factor.  

 Economists have long studied the “beauty premium”, a phenomenon which posits that those who are relatively more attractive are paid more. This is regardless if the physical appearance is irrelevant to their line of work or performance. Nevertheless, looks can only take you so far as specific qualities help to bring a bigger pay check back home. 

Debunking Popular Myths Surrounding Introverts

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Open your eyes and observe diverse human interactions. Notice how many people make countless assumptions about introverts. I have to be honest with you. Most of these assumptions are unpleasant and negative. Introverts are portrayed by the media as aloof, snob, weird, or odd individuals. They carry these assumptions without justification. I, for one, am tired of this narrow-minded way of thinking. 

 In behalf of my fellow introverts, here is a PSA. May it shed a glistening light on the subject at hand.

 MYTH #1: INTROVERTS DO NOT LIKE OTHER PEOPLE.

 There is an abundance of stereotypes posed on introverts. For starters, they are perceived to be socially anxious and judgmental. This may sound shocking to you, but introverts like other people. They simply favor the quality over the quantity of relationships. Introverts prefer cultivating a small group of trusted friends rather than exploring the possibilities of having a larger network of acquaintances. 

 Picture a company Christmas party where all employees are mandated to come. You will most likely catch an introvert from the sidelines. The extroverted boss may interpret this as not wanting to join in the fun, but observation is enjoyable for an introvert. Some people may misinterpret the act of observation as the act of judgment. 

What Is The Root Of Selfishness?

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In this day and age, the noble act of selflessness is hard to come by. Let me prove this with a single task. Can you name six genuinely selfless people aside from Saint Teresa of Calcutta? It is more difficult than you think, huh?  

 Most of us are characterized by the tiny hints of selfishness. However, some people are more consumed by this trait. 

Let me begin by defining what being "selfish" is. There are two main points according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary. A selfish individual is concerned with his or her own advantage, pleasure, or well-being. Furthermore, he or she does not have any regard for others.


2016 COUNTDOWN: BEST MISS PSYCHOBABBLE ARTICLES OF THE YEAR

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Describing the Year 2016 as "surprising" is an understatement!

 Several significant events happened throughout the globe. Syrian War caused tremendous devastation especially to innocent young children. Reality star and business mogul Donald Trump won the United States presidential election. Renowned celebrities such as Prince, Carrie Fisher, and Alan Rickman passed away.

 I shall bring the lenses closer to home! An observable political shift swept the Philippines and the international authorities. We cannot predict what will happen next.

 Zooming in further will give you a glimpse of the holistic summation of my year. I reached potent milestones in my adult life. These achievements were made possible by using "goal setting". I will share more about its power in the succeeding article. 

Odd Is The New Normal: Why You Shall Accept Your Inner Weirdness

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"In nature, nothing is perfect and everything is perfect. Trees can be contorted, bent in weird ways, and they're still beautiful." ~ Poet Alice Walker

Whether you chew like you are eating robust nails or you cannot sleep without your smelly childhood pillow, we all have characteristics that make us extraordinary. I am not referring to the abnormal deviance from the norm! I am simply talking about the humble quirks that makes us special. I think there is nothing wrong with being "weird"! In fact, weirdness can be one of your powerful strengths.

Psychology Behind Our Fascination Over The Brangelina Split

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When the news broke that Hollywood’s powerhouse couple Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt (better known as #Brangelina) were parting ways due to “irreconcilable differences”, my social media feed went wild! I bet that the same thing happened to most of us.

Humanity processed the imminent doom of Brangelina’s relationship. Digital and physical publications were filled with the de-Brangelization headlines, which caused outbreaks of sadness and anger from the avid fans of these said celebrities. People all over the world were mourning. However, there were some people who cared less. My seemingly cool hippie cousin was one of them. 

 As I was observing the reactions of most netizens, it made me ponder about the existence of the public’s fascination over celebrities and their relationships. Why do we care so much about the Brangelina split? 

Grief And Loss: 3 Ways To Positively Express Your Condolences

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By: Suzie Kolber | Edited by: Anna Agoncillo

One of the most difficult things for a person to express is the feelings of empathy, sympathy, and condolences to someone who has lost a family member, a friend, a co-worker, or a significant someone.

Searching for the "right" words to say can be a serious struggle! This is why Suzie Kolber collated three tips to make this situation easier for both you and the person you want to comfort.

#1: BE GENUINE AND SINCERE.

It may not be intentional yet, you can come across as insecure when you say something that you do not mean. "I understand exactly how you feel!" is a prime example of this. 

Although you went through the similar situation, you cannot fully know how the other person actually feels. Everyone has a distinct personality and so are their emotions and actions. It is much better to say: "I cannot fully measure how you feel right now, but I am here for you."

Social Psychology And Attraction: Dogs Can Make You More Attractive Instantly

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Forget designer suits and flashy vehicles because a furry wingman might just be your secret weapon to find a lovely date!

 According to a recent study of 2,000 Brits, the biggest turn-on apart from physical attraction is someone who owns a pet dog. In fact, 1 in 5 women found a man with a dog more attractive. This showed that a dog is twice as appealing as having a hefty salary or a huge house. 

Love And Attraction: Which Type Of Infidelity Will Anger You The Most?

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As overly dramatized by the media, the society clamors for a good story about public personalities who had messy affairs. This influenced the shift towards the acceptance of affairs. Nowadays, some people see affairs as an option for men or women to gain the excitement and intimacy that they otherwise lack in their dull marriages.

7 Surefire Ways To Make People Like You

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Tired of being #ForeverAlone?

 Win the hearts of many and influence others by using these Psychology-based tips to make yourself more likable:

 1. MIRRORING

 According to my counseling classes, one of the easiest ways to make people like you is to mimic them. This enables you to validate the feelings and behavior of the person you are interacting with. In fact, studies have shown that people who were mimicked felt happier, more confident, and more agreeable. So copy one's mannerisms, speech patterns, tone, and behaviors and act as naturally as possible. 

4 "Short" Psychology Videos Everyone Must Watch

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By: Anna Agoncillo

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Say you have less than ten minutes to spare. Instead of waiting for that clock to turn fast, get engrossed with these profound and entertaining Psychology videos…

 1. STANFORD PRISON EXPERIMENT 

 Length: 6.47 minutes

 The Stanford Prison Experiment is one of the most controversial experiments of all time. Led by psychologist Philip Zimbardo in 1971, this behavioral experiment showed how healthy university students can transform into unstable prisoners and cruel prison guards. Within days, the unhealthy power of the situation consumed most of the students' minds. 

 Watch as the events unfold on this short footage:

Social Psychology: Why Do Mistresses Exist?

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By: Anna Agoncillo
Image Credits: pixabay.com (CC0 Public Domain)
As much as people despise the "other woman" or the "other man", they are there for a reason. History suggests that powerful men tend to gather great numbers of women and as we all know, history can repeat itself. Modern times cannot escape the existence of mistresses.
Let me start by discussing why married men are deemed to be attractive by some. 

1. MATE POACHING

 In the game of love, does the statement: "Monkey see, Monkey do" apply?

 Well, it just may. 

 A study found that people take cues from others on deciding who is attractive. For instance, the findings showed that women who are single were more attracted to the photographs of men who were said to be "in a relationship". 

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