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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

This chapter presents the data that answer the objectives of the study.

The presentation is in accordance with the sequence of the objectives of the

study. The first part discussed the classification of toxic positivity statements.

The second part discussed the categories of illocutionary act are present in

toxic positivity. The third part discussed the predominant verbal intervention

strategies employ in the process of reconstructing toxic language.

Classification of Toxic Positivity Statements

We define toxic positivity as the excessive and ineffective

overgeneralization of a happy, optimistic state across all situations. The process

of toxic positivity results in the denial, minimization, and invalidation of the

authentic human emotional experience. In the students of University of

Southern Mindanao (USM) who always active on social media especially in

Facebook, their posts in connection with toxic positivity was analyzed through

speech act categorization, the Locutionary Act, Illocutionary Act and

Perlocutionary Act.

Table 1 presents the frequency of the distribution of the number of posts

according to the classification of toxic positivity. According to Tauchid and

Rukimini (2016) speech act theory seeks to explain speakers' language to fulfill

the hearer's intended actions and how hearers interpret the meaning from what
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the speaker said. The conclusion is that speech acts theory focuses on the

meaning behind speaker utterance, affected by the hearer. In this study

Illocutionary act were used.

Table 1. Classification of Toxic Positivity Statements

Classification of F %
Illocutionary Act
Assertive 48 32%

Directive 37 25%

Commissive 17 11%

Declarative 18 12%

Expressive 30 20%

Total 150 100

Table 1 shows the classification of toxic positivity according to their

Facebook posts or comments. In the posts or comments gathered a total of 50

were analyzed. It was found out that the most dominant posts/comments were

assertive with a frequency of 48 or 32%. An assertive is an illocutionary act that

represents a situation. Example: stating, claiming, hypothesizing, describing,

telling, insisting, suggesting, asserting, or swearing that something is the case..

Here are sample posts: (1) “ Ako na ang susunod na gagradweyt” (2) “Have

faith not all people like you”

Based on the results it was found out that 37 or 25% of posts/comments

are directive. Directive is an illocutionary act for getting the addressee to do

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something. E.g. ordering, commanding, daring, defying, challenging. Here are

some of examples: (1) “Thank God it’s Friday” (2) “Walang papasok bukas!!”

Furthermore, there were 30 or 20% of expressive is an illocutionary act

that expresses the mental state of the speaker about an event presumed to be

true. Example: (1) “Dili naman siguro ko ani ka graduate” (2) “Wala najud koy

Pag-asa”

On the other hand, findings revealed that 11% or 17 are commissive and

12% or 18 are declarative. Commissive is an illocutionary act for getting the

speaker (i.e. the one performing the speech act). Example: (1) “Di na nako

kaya ☹” (2) “Makapasa pa kaha ko?”.

Lastly, declarative is an illocutionary act that brings into existence the

state of affairs to which it refers. Example: (1) “Gikapoy nako” (2) “I’m so

blessed!”.

Categories of Illocutionary Act present in Toxic Positivity

Assertive

A type of illocutionary act in which the speaker expresses belief about

the truth of a proposition. Some examples of assertive are suggesting, putting

forward, swearing, boasting, and concluding.

Example of Assertive posts/comments

1. “…tinu-turn ko lahat ng mga negative into positive,”

2. “…I swear kakayanin ko lahat ☹.”

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3. “…Okay lang ‘yan, may next time pa naman,” parang iniisip mo na pa’no

kung next time mas bumaba, or wala na palang next time.”

4. “...if you want to be helped, help yourself.”

5. “Karaniwan ko pong mino-motivate ‘yong sarili in terms of mga academic

works po talaga,”

6. “Kapag sobra ko nang kailangan, sinasabihan ko ‘yong sarili ko na, “Kaya mo

‘yan,”

7. “…‘yong mga requirements na ‘yon, parang nagiging pagsubok sa’kin.”

8. “...‘yong problema ko, ako lang talaga nagh-handle, sa ngayon.”

9. “…ako kasi ‘yong tao na mas gugustuhin kong piliin ‘yong positibo kaysa sa

negatibo.”

10. “Bakit pa mag-aaral kung ano na, kung may job naman na?”

In statement number 1 and 9, the speaker expresses conclusion that he

can turn all the negatives into positive. Statement number 2 it expresses

swearing where the speaker swear that he can handle everything. In terms of

suggesting, statement number 3 is one of the example, the speaker here is

suggesting that it is okay to failed because there is always next time. However,

statement number 4 the speaker expresses putting forward statement where he

posted “if you want to be helped, helped yourself”. In statement number 5, it

expresses boasting because the speaker said that the only thing that he

motivates his self is in terms of academic works.

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Furthermore, statement number 6 expresses suggestions, the speaker

suggesting to his self that if he can’t handle anymore, he always motivate

himself. The expression in number 7 signifies putting forward, because the

speaker said that his school requirements is only just a test of his daily

experiences. Moreover, statement number 8 and 10 expresses conclusions

because in number 8 the speaker said that he is the one who handle his

problems and number 10 the speaker said that studying is useless if you have

already a work.

Directive

A type of illocutionary act in which the speaker tries to make the

addressee perform an action. Some examples are asking, ordering, requesting,

inviting, advising, and begging.

Example of Directive posts/comments

1. “pinapasa-Diyos ko na lang, “Lord kayo na pong bahala,”

2. “tanawin mo ‘yong positibong bagay sa negatibong sitwasyon.”

3. “Ngano man Nov? Laban lang ta Ninyo ☹”

4. “Have faith not all people are the same hehe”

5. “’Wag mong problemahin ang acads, hayaan mung ang acads ang

mamroblema sayo”

6. “Ngano man invalidate ang feelings sa uban?”

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7. “be positive lang always, tapos siguro kapag sinabi ‘yon, parang pa’no ‘ko

titigil sa pag-iyak?”

8. “Bakit may sad dahil back to work na?”

9. “Bakit pa mag-aaral kung ano na, kung may job naman na?”

10. “Mas okay kasi kung tatayo ka sa sarili mo. Hindi ka magsstay doon sa part

na lagi ka na lang umiiyak, mas okay kung nagm-move forward ka rin.”

In the first statement, the speakers expresses begging to God, where he

gave up all his worries in Him. The second statement, the speaker is advising

that we should look for the positivity not in the negativity. Moreover, the third

statement, the speaker is asking and advising to the addressee if why or what is

the reason and he motivates the addressee. For the fourth statement, the

speaker is advising that we should have faith because not all people are the

same. In the fifth statement, it is also an advising form of directive act, because

the speaker advices that we should not worry about the academics, the

academics should be worried to us.

Further, in statement 6, 7, 8 and 9 it is an asking form of directive act. In

number 6, the speaker asked if why are the feeling invalidate, in number 7 the

speaker asked and advised that we should think positive and asking how we

can stop crying, also in number 8 the speaker asked if why there are sad when

it is back to work while number 9 the speaker asked why we should study if we

already have a job. Lastly, in statement number 10, it is an advising form

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because the speaker advises that it is okay to stand with our own feet and stay

in the part of your life that you always cry and moved on.

Commissive

A type of illocutionary act in which commits the speaker to doing

something in the future. Example are promising, planning, vowing, and betting.

Example of Commissive posts/comments

1. “mag-pofocus na lang tlaga ako sa positive.”

2. “murag di naman jud ko pagradweyton sa panahon oy ☹..”

3. “hindi na talaga kami makakahabol sa pasko…”

4. “hahaha atleast nakagraduate.. US or CS same lang ng sahod pagdating ng

panahon na mag work na…”

5. “unt ate, kay kung wala, back to zero jud ang gawas…”

6. “You’re going to face the new normal, kaya mo ‘yan, kaya mo ‘yan,” pero

deep inside umiiyak ka na. ‘Yong parang pinipilit mo sabihin na, “Kaya mo ‘yan,

kaya mo ‘yan,”

7. “ib-bottle up na lang siguro ‘to, okay na ‘yan, maghihintay na lang ako sa

taong makakaintindi sa’kin, gano’n.”

In the statement number 1, the speaker shows expression that is vowing,

he said that he will only focus in the positivity. On the other hand, statement

number 2, expresses the planning form of commissive illocutionary act because

the speaker is planning that he can’t join with the graduation. Statement number
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3, the speaker vowing that he can’t join the Christmas celebration. In number 4,

the speaker planning that the important thing in college is to graduate because

in the future they will have the same salary. However, in number 5, the speaker

vow that if he can’t do any action, it will result that he will going back in

beginning. Moreover, in number 6 statement, the speaker bet that in the new

normal , you can handle everything and adjust easily. Lastly, in statement

number 7, the speaker is vowing that there will be someone who will

understand him someday.

Declarative

A type of illocutionary act that in which brings a change in the external

situation. Simply put, declarations bring into existence or cause the state of

affairs which they refer to. Examples are blessing, firing, baptizing, bidding,

passing a sentence, and excommunicating.

Example of Declarative posts/comments

1. “This is the first time I've given a 2.0 grade in ALGEBRA...”

2. “I’m ENGAGED”

3. “gusto ko ng Malaya”

4. “I will feel more down.”

5. “I quit.”

In the statement number 1, it expresses a blessing for the speaker

because he is so blessed to have 2.0 grade in Algebra. Also, in number 2

statement, the speaker is also expresses how blessed he is to be engaged. The

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number 3 statement shows a passing a sentence form of declarative because

the speaker wanted to show how he want to be free to those who can see his

post. Moreover, in number 4 statement, has the same form in statement

number 3. The speaker wants also to express his feeling and wan to pass his

feeling to other people through posting in social media. Lastly, statement

number 5, is like firing form of declarative, the speaker want to quit maybe on

his job or in study.

Expressive

A type of illocutionary act in which the speaker expresses his/her feelings

or emotional reactions. Some examples are thanking, apologizing, welcoming,

and deploring.

Example of Expressive posts/comments

1. “nawawalan kami ng motivation makagawa ng gano’ng activity, sorry mam

☹”

2. “Good luck girls. It's an honour to be here”

3. “ang ganda ko, pero iniiwan pa rin ako”

4. “Ang ganda ni ma’am, beke nemen ma’am 😊”

5. “Congrats guys outline defended”

6. “GRRRR! I hate you”

7. “Meresi nimo!”
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8. “Ka gwapo sa akong crush nga CRIM.”

9. “Salamat nalang sa tanan!”

10. “Hi ma’am, strikta kayo ka… ayaw pd mi e pressure oyy!”

In the first statement, the speaker is apologizing to his/her professor or

teacher that they lose their motivation to do their activity. Statement number 2, it

shows an expression of honor because the speaker was honor to be here. For

the statement number 3, this is praising form where the speaker is praising

him/herself as beautiful. In fourth statement, it is also a praising form, the

speaker praised his/her teacher as beautiful that he/she have something to ask.

Moreover, in statement number 5, it also a praising form but the speaker is

congratulating their group for the success of their outline defend.

Further, in statement number 6, the speaker shows his/her feelings that

he/she is hating someone. In seventh statement, the speaker is angry with

someone else. For the eight statement, the speaker is praising to his/her crush

that is handsome and his/her crush is a criminology student. However, in ninth

statement, the speaker is thanking for everyone. Lastly, for the tenth statement,

the speaker is expressing his/her feeling that is so mad to his/her teacher. The

speaker is begging that hi/her teacher will be kind and their teacher will not

pressure them.

In summary, table 2 shows the number of the posts/comments in social

media categorized as assertive, directive, commissive, declarative, and

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expressive. It stated in table 2 that in assertive there are 48 posts/comments,

directive 37 posts/comments, commissive 17 posts/comments, declarative 18

posts/comments, and expressive 30 posts/comments respectively. Tauchid and

Rukimini (2016) said speech act theory seeks to explain speakers' language to

fulfill the hearer's intended actions and how hearers interpret the meaning from

what the speaker said. The conclusion is that speech acts theory focuses on

the meaning behind speaker utterance, affected by the hearer.

Table 2. Categories of Illocutionary Act

Categories of Illocutionary Act F

Assertive 48

Directive 37

Commissive 17

Declarative 18

Expressive 30

Total 150

Predominant Verbal Intervention Strategies Employ in the Process of

Reconstructing Toxic Language.

One of the counselling techniques that could be used to reduce social

media usage intensity is cognitive restructuring technique. Young (2010) stated

that cognitive restructuring counselling approach is effective in solving the

problem regarding high social media usage intensity. Cognitive restructuring

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technique helps students to change their irrational mindset of using social

media two hours a day and accessing seven times a day into more rational

mindset when using social media.

In Figure 1, shows the cognitive restructuring technique in addressing

the process of discursively reconstructing toxic language into non-toxic

language. It stated below that there are 3 interventions that the researcher will

used to address the problem, first, Behavior (Record the situation, thoughts,

and feelings); second, Thought (Pick one automatic thought from the list you

created); and third, Feelings (Develop different points of view about the

situation), respectively.

Record the situation, thoughts, and feelings on your cognitive

restructuring thought record. Just as instructed in the last chapter, choose a

situation that triggered negative thoughts and feelings, and break it into its

component parts. What is important in cognitive restructuring is that you identify

as many thoughts associated with the negative emotions as possible. Don’t just

stop at one thought.

Pick one automatic thought from the list you created, the one that feels

most responsible for your negative emotion. Focus on the thought that seems to

be associated with the most distress. If that’s difficult to determine, it may be

helpful to identify the strongest emotion, then figure out which thought provokes

the majority of that emotion

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Develop different points of view about the situation, think about the

situation and the automatic thought from as many angles as you need in order

to start to think and feel differently. There are countless ways to do this, but

here it’s better to work smart, not hard. There are several probing questions you

can ask yourself that are bound to help you discover new perspectives on the

situation.

Figure 1. Cognitive Restructuring Technique

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

This chapter presents the findings of the study based on Speech Act

Theory of Searle (1969) to determine the illocutionary acts of toxic positivity

posts on Facebook. This study will use a qualitative method where the

researchers themselves are the key instrument, it will also include a systematic

and concurrent data collection and data analysis procedures to determine how

predominant verbal intervention strategies employed in the process of

discursively reconstructing toxic language into non-toxic language.

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Summary of the Findings

The summarized findings of the study are as follows:

1. The researcher used the five categories of illocutionary act which is the

assertive, directive, commissive, declarative, and expressive. The result shows

that the most illocutionary act used was assertive.

2. The predominant verbal intervention strategies employ in the process of

reconstructing toxic language was cognitive restructuring technique. There are

3 interventions that the researcher will used to address the problem, first,

Behavior (Record the situation, thoughts, and feelings); second, Thought (Pick

one automatic thought from the list you created); and third, Feelings (Develop

different points of view about the situation), respectively.

Conclusion

After considering the analysis and determining Illocutionary acts which

found on posts and comments, the following conclusions was made:

1. There are five categories of illocutionary acts: Assertive, Directives,

Commissives, Expressives, and Declaratives.

2. Assertive is the most dominant type found in posts and comments of the

student in University of southern Mindanao.

3. The predominant verbal intervention strategies employ in the process of

reconstructing toxic language was cognitive restructuring technique.

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Recommendation

After analyzing categories of illocutionary acts on posts and comments of

the students in University of Southern Mindanao, the researcher would like to

recommend:

1. University of Southern Mindanao consider hosting webinars for teachers and

students to raise awareness of toxic positivity. University can use this to

educate students and staff about toxic positivity and its consequences. This

could also serve as a wake-up call to a far better academic atmosphere.

2. Filipino mental health advocates be more vocal about it. Since people spend

more time online owing to work and school obligations during this pandemic,

they might consider using various social media platforms such as Facebook,

Twitter, Instagram, and/or Pinterest to promote awareness about toxic positivity

in the form of text, images, and/or short videos. This is not only about raising

awareness among Filipino mental health advocates; it is also about educating

parents, friends, mentors, and social media users about toxic positivity and its

subtle effects on people.

3. The future or other researchers who interested in concluding the research

about pragmatics especially in illocutionary acts, this research can be used as

the references in conducting the research about illocutionary act.

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