Over Power/Power Over

 

                                             (photo: inquirer.net)

Luhod lagi pag-paddle nako!

Fraternity members allegedly behind the death by hazing of 24-year-old Adamson University student John Matthew Salilig initially planned to burn the victim’s body instead of burying it, according to the police (inquirer.net).

This can be a reaction for self-preservation. But is this the mindset of the so-called brotherhood? You hurt someone and then dispose the body as if it is just a piece of dirt?

The need of affiliation is one of three acquired needs laid out by psychologist David McClelland in his theory on the motivations for human behavior. This particular need concerns the desire to be associated with specific people and groups, to have a greater sense of belonging and place.

This is the main psychology behind why people want to be affiliated with a group, a fraternity or any other clusters of people.

Since we are looking into McClelland’s theory, we must also NOT forget that he posited the Need for Power and Achievement. The individuals who are motivated by power have a strong urge to be influential and controlling. They want that their views and ideas should dominate and thus, they want to lead.

Dominate.

When you hold on to a blunt object to intentionally hurt someone, you are driven by the urge to dominate – to be in control.

Need for power can be expressed in behavior in many ways. One of these is the use of physical or psychological aggression to force others to comply with what one wants from them (Boneva, 2001).

Matthew Salilig probably just wanted to be accepted. Yet, he was able to encounter those whose need to dominate overpower. One of the “brothers” who drove the vehicle when they buried the body is reportedly dead due to suicide.

How many more lives are going to be wasted due to unprocessed psychological behaviors and motives?