Filipino adolescents' thoughts, feelings and actions regarding stealing

• Main Author: Sison, Johanna Marie O.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2008
• Subjects: Theft; Adolescent psychology; Applied Behavior Analysis; Counseling
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/6475; https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=12997&context=etd_masteral
• Institution: De La Salle University

Stealing is taking another person’s property without his/ her knowing (Gale,2006b). The study was conducted for parents, teachers or school guidance counselors who might be confronted by such a situation that requires them to address this form of misbehavior. The study aimed to investigate how urban Filipino adolescents think, feel and act when confronted with a situation that tempts one to steal. The subjects of the study were composed of 10 students from two participating high schools (one private and one public). Using the selection criteria; five students were chosen from each school by the respective guidance coordinator: The student needs to be articulate, with no previous guidance record and who at least is considered an average student. They were presented with five hypothetical vignette stories developed by the researcher showing conditions that might tempt one to steal. The thoughts, feelings and action of this group of Filipino adolescents reflect the insight gained in dealing with a situation that tempts them to steal. The thoughts conveyed acknowledge that it was tempting to steal which made them think of what to do and made them voice their concern for the owner and its’ impact on others. The incident evoked range of feelings, from positive to conflicting to negative emotions. It was general consensus not to get the money or object. This group of Filipino adolescent’s final action of refraining themselves from taking things without permission is influenced much by the teachings gained from parental rules, school rules, the integration of one’s religious upbringing, the understanding of social conventions and norms, their expressed personal values and the influences of mass media.