Kami (we) and tayo (us) are concepts intrinsic to the Filipino culture of kapwa, which includes others in the shared identity either through an inclusive identity that evolves with group and intergroup relations, or a superordinate identity, an identity shift from an ingroup towards an identity that supersedes the existing ingroup-outgroup relationship.In the studies concerning superordinate goals, the effects of common fate, a coincidence of outcomes among two or more persons that arises because they have all been subjected to the same external forces or decision rules, becomes central. Although Brewer (in Capozza & Brown, 2000) found that shared fate does not necessarily entail any interdependence among the groups, common fate was perceived to provide one potentially powerful basis for common identity because subjecting groups to the same external forces and decision rules creates a social category boundary that highlights the difference between those affected and unaffected. Brewer found that shared fate will have to be complemented by trust and argued that some shared identity is prerequisite to recognition and achievement of cooperative interdependence.
The study of Sto. Domingo (1991) illustrates how fisherfolks in Laguna Lake view themselves as the major stakeholders of the outcomes in the Napindan Channel (the ingroup) as against the residents of Metro Manila who will benefit from the MWSS Project (the first outgroup). The fisherfolk of Laguna Lake were also found to have contradictory opinions regarding the status of the lake with the scientist-technicians (the second outgroup). Typical to the Filipinos’ oneness with humanity, however, they recognize the need to share the natural resource with the Metro Manila residents and the scientist-technicians. Hence, they engage in cooperation among themselves, do not engage in direct confrontation with the scientist-technicians and in fact demonstrated openness to cooperate with these outgroups- proving that common fate is significant in the concept of pakikipag-kapwa.
Ingroup-outgroup identification in Filipino psychology can be observed in terms of simple intergroup relations (kami and kayo) or in terms of superordinate identity (kami and tayo). An interesting area for investigation in Filipino psychology regarding superordinate identity lies in the interplay of ethnic and national identity.
