Full Name: MUYUMBA M. JOEL.

Profession/ Current Position: STUDENT at the

University of South eastern Philippines, Tagum-
Mabini Campus

Current Workplace: N/A

Title of Report/Topic: REACTIONS TO CHANGE

Reason/s of Taking up MS ERM:

Well as an agriculturist, there are many reasons why I decided to take

up the program of MS ERM. First of all during my undergrad I realized that
there are many things that I needed to learn about the environment due
to my future plans so as a future entrepreneur and a farmer this program is
very important because agriculture and environment are related and for
that reason me seeing what is happening now with the climatic change I
think it is very important to learn about the environmental issues.

PENRO as Teacher:

First of all I want to thank Sir Bandiola for the great work he is doing
and the huge impact he is making in our student lives as a teacher. I
appreciate much more than just the ability to teach I learned a lot in the
class because Sir took extra time to explain things clearly by sharing with
us so many things that are happening in real life. Thank you for giving us
your time.
 Full Name: Gador, El aica P.

Profession/ Current Position:

Project/Research Assistant

Current Workplace: University of Southeastern

Philippines, Tagum-Mabini Campus

Title of Report/Topic: Barriers of Change

Reason/s of Taking up MS ERM:

As a language graduate, people frequently had asked me the reason

why I had enrolled this program. From an honest answer, I was enticed by
the scholarship proposed to me (DOST), hence my journey had begun.
However, as we almost finish the first semester, I learned to enjoy the
program and become even more interested, learning to love it. It gave me
another goal to achieve, in which to become a future environmentalist.

PENRO as Teacher:

Sir Bandiola is a direct teacher and loves to share every bits of his
knowledge to class. He teaches not only subject related topics, but as well
as real life tips and proper attitude as a worker, learning in the industry of
real life. He encourages his student the proper etiquette in regards to work
and how to act properly in order to survive real life pressure. He might be
strict but lenient enough to give us an ample of time for our projects.

He is a good teacher and knows how to fit himself in a class. I admire

his sincerity when teaching and I enjoy whenever he cracks jokes during
class hours. It liven up the sleepy ambiance and captures the attention of
the class.
 REACTIONS TO CHANGE

Objectives:

1. To know what are the stimulants of change;

2. To know what are the barriers of change;
3. To understand how people reacts to change;
4. To understand why people refuse some changes; and
5. To realize the significance of how change affects people.

Introduction:

The only constant is change. In this world full of mystery and full of possibility.
As the human intelligence increases as year passed, you might be wondering
maybe in the near future, you won’t recognize earth anymore. Plenty of things to
consider when it comes to change and it applies to everything. However, the most
influential to change is the modern technology, the ever change high technology.

Although people accepts changes and continue to propose changes,

reactions may differ. There might be those who think that such change will bring
betterment of the lives, there are also who thinks that it may only cause chaos
and disharmony. As such, reactions do differ and actions follows, either approve
or disapprove.

Here we found that Change is the law of nature: What is today shall be
different from what it would be tomorrow.

STIMULANTS AND REACTIONS TO CHANGE

Reporter: MUYUMBA M. JOEL.

Report:

The Meaning of Social Change

The word “change” denotes a difference in anything observed over

some period of time. Social change, therefore, would mean observable
differences in any social phenomena over any period of time. Social change
refers to any significant alteration over time in behaviour patterns and cultural
values and norms. By “significant” alteration, sociologists mean changes yielding
profound social consequences.
Nature of Social Change

1. Social change is a universal phenomenon:

By saying universal phenomenon we understand that Social change

occurs in all societies No society remains completely static. This is true of all
societies, primitive as well as civilized. Society exists in a universe of dynamic
influences but the speed and extent of change may differ from society to
society some change rapidly, others change slowly.

2. Social change is community change:

Social change does not refer to the change in the life of an individual or
the life patterns of several individuals. That’s mean It is a change which occurs in
the life of the entire community. In other words, only that change can be called
social change whose influence can be felt in a community form. Social change
is social and not individual.

3. Speed of social change is not uniform:

Here while social change occurs in all societies according to books its
speed is not uniform in every society and In most societies it occurs so slowly that
it is often not noticed by those who live in them. So it is says that Even in modern
societies there seems to be little or no change in many areas. Social change in
urban areas is faster than in rural areas.

4. Nature and speed of social change is affected by and related to time factor:

As said before in the previous part the speed of social change is not
uniform in each age or period in the same society so in modern times the speed
of social change is faster today than before 1947 according to researchers. Thus,
the speed of social change differs from age to age.

5. Social change shows chain-reaction sequence:

A society’s pattern of living is a dynamic system of inter-related parts.

Therefore, change in one of these parts usually reacts on others and those on
additional ones until they bring a change in the whole mode of life of many
people.
SOCIAL STIMULANTS

This is some factors we need to consider that influence the rate of change
and facilitate the acceptance of an innovation. The ones that play an
important role in stimulating change include:

-The desire for prestige,

-Contact with other peoples,

-Friendship obligations,

-Social class,

-Authority,

- Problems of “fit,” timing,

-Degree of participation in decision making, and competition.

Here are Some Different ways in which we react to change

As human we need to understand that change is there either bad or

good we can’t stop it to happen so the best way of reacting to change as
human is to embrace it and to figure out ways of getting used to it However,
handling change is not easy for all. Some reactions are:

Panic: The most common reaction to change is panic because as human we

don’t know what the change is going to bring.

Confusion: Confusion is another very common reaction. People are confused

whether the change is for good or bad or whether they should remain and
accept the new regime.

Joy: This reaction occurs when people are excited and handle change
positively

Denial: Some people who are set in their ways and do not like to alter their
routine live in denial of the changing surroundings. With this kind of attitude
towards change, these people do no good to themselves or to others.
Refusing to change: in s society with different people of change is normal but it’s
says to be bad especially in an organization but refusal to change is dangerous.
A lot of people refuse to change when they are faced with a transitional phase.

Helplessness: There are people who feel totally helpless when they face change.
Some experience a mix of emotions some people may feel panic, fear,
insecurity and other negative feelings.

Gossip: Gossip, always an organizational challenge, often escalates during

periods of change.

Definition of Terms:

Social change

(I) Jones. “Social change is a term used to describe variations in, or

modifications of, any aspect of social processes, social patterns,
social interaction or social organisation.”
(II) Mazumdar, H. T. “Social change may be defined as a new fashion
or mode, either modifying or replacing the old, in the life of a
people, or in the operation of a society.”
(III) M. D. Jenson. “Social change may be defined as modification in
ways of doing and thinking of people.”
(IV) Modern society or modernity: is defined as people living together in
the current time.

BARRIERS OF CHANGE
Reporter: ELAICA P. GADOR

Report:

Each individual or group have this distinct reactions towards change, either
they accept it or not. People might adopt changes, but there are really some
factions or group of people who rebels and strongly refuses to accept such
changes. This is because of their different self-interests which may vary based on
their social, cultural, psychological and economic preferences.
 One common reason why people resist to change is because of the Social
Barriers. For the first category of social barriers, it is called the Vested Interest. In a
society, no one would want to suffer a loss in every aspect, specifically in regards
with power. Anything that would hinder or strip off their certain power, or even just
lessen the power is seen negatively without realizing the bright and positive effect
of such. However, because of the selfish interests, this bright side is covered with
only the negative impact of the affected group or individual only. An example for
this is the emergence (professional doctors) of new group that might endanger
the latter version (witch doctors) of such group. Moreover, just to defend their
status and power, these latter version tend to create false rumors in order to stain
and make these new versions of them to be unreliable.

Another classification of social barriers is called Status Interests. Since the

implementation of hierarchy until the recent governing, every company and
business groups would preferably hire capable workers. Added with the fact that,
as time goes everything upgrades. Hence, past experience and status are quickly
replaced by the present achievements. This is also a conflict encountered by the
old generations, since most of them are left behind due to the fast upgradation
of technologies that affected the environment and work practices.

In line with this, the laws are also changing. The third social barrier now comes
in, which is called Social Class. Of course, each country is governed with different
laws and rules, however it is unavoidable to have many changes just for the
betterment and improvement of the country. In this social barrier, the upper class
tend to accept such innovations while the lower class tend to resist it. Such rules
portrays the huge distinction of each class, in which distinguished the fortunate
and the less valued, hence the source of disagreement of the lower class.

As Filipinos were marked as slave people before, through time, it imprinted on

every Filipino’s mind set. That Americans tend to colonize countries in a silent and
‘friendly’ way. With this, strong religious groups and individuals opposes some
ideology or proposed practices to the Filipino. This is called ideological resistance,
in which, individuals or groups feared to be influenced more by the Westerns and
worrying about the “Americanization” of their country. This is the reason why
Filipino catholic churches opposes birth control and abortion, in which proposed
by the western society.
 You might also think that changes also affects the companionship of a small
group of ladies. In the Latin American villages, women tend to wash clothes
beside the lakes and rivers together. Through this, they can fulfill their one of daily
house chores and the same time, building companionship and strong sense of
bond with their small circle of friendship. It was even reported that the emergence
of faucet to their respective houses was opposed by them and was not successful
because it is only a hindrance for them to socialize with their formed group. This
type of social change barrier is called Group Solidarity.

Another social barrier that might hinder change is called Authority. In a certain
group or association, there is always one leader that call the shots, in which it gives
him or her an authority to manage everything. If given such power, who would
want to surrender it easily? However, there are instances that needs reformation
of the roles in a certain group. One example is the convergence of two or more
groups or associations, hence a need to reselect one new leader. No one would
surrender their authority easily, especially when it gives them comfortable life in
gaining such power. This then result to resistance to change.

Unfamiliarity also plays a role on why people resist to change. It is like, lost in
an unfamiliar place, no one would like that. This is why people resist to change
due to Fear of the Unfamiliar. When you are used to doing things and accept such
things, you cannot easily move to another ways. Just as how you are so familiar
and attached to a person, that your daily life includes that person, when it one
day actually vanish, you will be feeling lost and does cannot “move on”. That is
also how it applies to any changes in some practices in the society. As an example
is the Soggie Bill proposed in the Philippines. People tend to reject the proposed
new law because simply they are not used to it and uses different type of
unreliable excuses just to resist the change. This type of social barrier also inflicts
question to the people lie, “is it going to work?”; “is it helpful? Reliable?”, “worthy?”
and many other questions that arises from their curiosity. Although they are curious
enough, they are not courageous enough to risk and experience the proposed
change.
 The second major barrier why people resist to change is because of the
Psychological Barriers. These barriers are Habit, Motivation, Ignorance, Selective
Perception and Ineffective Communication.

When a habit is established, it becomes a satisfying practice to an individual,

hence this habit being change is not favorable to the affected individual.
Motivation also plays a role in affecting the psychological barrier. According to
Clark Kerr and his associates (1964), the five sectors that causes to the stagnant
status quo is due to the extended family system, class and race, religion and
ethical evaluations, legal concepts, and the concept of the nation-state.
Ignorance also psychologically resist change due to the fear of the new and
denial to the facts. They deny the fact is because they already have their own
truth, hence they are ignorant about the real truth. In Peru, the people in their
believed that once disease originate from lack of harmonious body and soul, and
its relationship to the environment and community. Hence, they never accepted
the proposed remedy in which boiling the contaminated water. Another barrier
that people tend to possess is the Selective Perception. Once a repeated situation
fruits the same reaction or result, it becomes a law to people that cannot be
changed even without proper references. Sample for this is when hospitals are
perceived where people will eventually die, gifts are suspected as has malicious
intent as it may be harmful or a reject, and the Indians who are hesitating to call
priests for the last rites for a sick relative, as they believe this patient will surely die
if the priest will arrive. Lastly, for the psychological barriers, here comes the
Ineffective communication. It might sound like can be ignored, but not. As
language is the main source of communication, and language is very diverse.
One cannot comprehend all the different languages present in the world,
especially the gestures, in which also may mean differently. Without the proper
language, there won’t be effective communication, and without that, change
cannot be fully explained. Hence, change is resisted due to misunderstanding.

Cultural Barrier is the third subgroup that causes resistance to change. In

most cases, resistance to change is due to their cultural values and beliefs to
protect their identities. People tend to stick to their culture, as this is the basis for
their true identity.
 One category of cultural barrier is the Fatalism. In which a culture believes
that there is always a divine intervention I every circumstances in life. That no
human being is in control, but only the God or gods they believe in. Another is
called Ethnocentrism, as such, each culture always believe that what they are
believing is the absolute truth and superior, everything else are frauds. Culture
barrier also has this one unique barrier called Norms of Modesty. This Modesty
describes how to be decent and proper in each culture. Due to the differences
of the Norms of Modesty in each culture, each culture tend to have conflicts and
cannot accept the kind of modesty from other culture, hence result to resistance
of change. An example is the resistance of other Filipino to accept the clothing of
the Americans, like short shorts and sleeveless shirts. Another interesting difference
of the norms of modesty is the cultural belief of the women in Yap in Micronesia.
Women tend to recognize their body parts as their natural power and equipment
to attract men, and their female organ holds the most importance for them.
Hence, when in gynecological examination happens, they prefer male physician
rather than female. As they also treat other women as their rival, they cannot let
their rival see their ultimate weapon.

For some reason, there is also groups or culture that cannot be influenced due to
they are highly integrated to their own culture. They only embrace their own
culture, hence they reject everything else. One example is the Sentinelese Tribe
(see image 1.)

Image 1. Sentinelese Tribe

Next cultural barrier is called Incompatibility. It is known that cultures are

divided by having either monotheistic and a polytheistic religion. As such, if one
tries to accept the other and accept change, they have to disregard their original
belief, hence they cannot merge two beliefs and accept changes. Unless, they
dramatically change and completely change their perspective about divine
beings.
 Culture also influence how an individual move or affects their Motor Patterns.
In such way, how they sleep, walk, sit, stand or relax are influenced to their cultural
ways. An example for this is how Most Koreans, Chinese or Japanese sit while
eating. They do not use chairs, hence they refuse to accept changes and adopt
to using chairs while eating. Another weird cultural barriers to change is called
Superstitions. Beliefs in a culture that science cannot comprehend or connect to
reality at all. These are beliefs and practices that were built a long time ago, and
the origins are not even clearly known. Filipino culture is rich in superstitions that
even until today, still persist to exist. Examples are Siblings should not marry within
the same year, serve pancit (noodles) at celebrations, especially birthdays for the
longevity of life, and elementals should be respected by saying “tabi-tabi po”.

The last major barrier to change is the Economic barrier. As we all believe,
financial status also affects the ability of something to change. Simply as because
a proposed change Cost too much, it cannot be accepted. Another economic
barrier is the Perceived profitability. Such change is only accepted if it influence
a huge change or a spectacular positive change. The Limited Economic
Resources also hinders change to the economy. These economic characteristics
in underdeveloped countries tend to hinder capital formation, which, in turn, is
considered a principal obstacle to change.

Definition of Terms:

Sentinelese Tribe – The Sentinelese are the most isolated tribe in the world and
living on their own small forested island called North Sentinel. This island is
approximately the size of Manhattan. This tribe resists all interactions with outsiders
and attacks anyone who tries to get close to them.

Tabi-tabi po – For English is, “excuse me”, in which old Filipino tradition uses to
excuse oneself when in someone else’s home, even those of the supernatural.

Pancit – In Filipino cuisine, pancit or pansit are noodles. Noodles were introduced
into the Philippines by the Chinese and have since been adopted into local
cuisine. The term pancit is derived from the Hokkienpian i sit ( or ) which literally
means "convenient food."

Rival – It is a person, group, or organization competing with others for the same
thing or in the same area.

Divine Intervention – A miracle or act of god (or gods) that causes something
good to happen or stops something bad from happening. It usually happens
because it is controlled by the God.

Soggie Bill - The SOGIE Equality Bill is meant to protect the LGBTQ+ community from
gender-based violence and discrimination, especially when gays and trans
women are being barred from entering public spaces, among other acts. It
wasn’t created to step on other people’s freedom of expression or religion.
References

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and-why-it-matters

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https://www.yourdictionary.com/divine-intervention

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