Unit 1: Concepts and Perspectives of Community

Lesson 1.4

Shared Identity and the Common Good

Contents

Introduction 1

Learning Objectives 2

Let’s Connect 2

Discover 4
Shared Identity 4
Facets in the Formation of Collective Identity 5
Cognitive Definition 5
Active Relationship 5
Emotional Investment 5
Benefits of a Shared Identity 6
The Common Good 6
The Characteristics of a Good Citizen 7

Wrap-Up 10

Try This! 10

Challenge Yourself 13

Reflect on This 15

Bibliography 16
Unit 1: Concepts and Perspectives of Community

Lesson 1.4

Shared Identity and the Common

Good

Introduction
Have you ever paid attention to the homeless people you see on the streets? How about the
sales clerks in department stores? Have you ever thought how similar you are to them
despite the differences in what you do? Observe your community’s environment. Notice the
roads, parks, museums, libraries, hospitals, schools, and other public establishments. What
purpose do you think they serve to the public?

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We may not be as conscious of other people as we are of ourselves. We do not notice the
similarities we share with them. At times, we also fail to pay attention to how the things we
do today may impact society in the general scheme of things. In this lesson, you will learn
how we are all interrelated as human beings and how our actions can create small but
significant effects to the community.

Learning Objectives DepEd Learning Competency

At the end of this lesson, you should be able to
In this lesson, you should be able to do the develop or affirm a sense of shared identity and
following: willingness to contribute to the attainment of the
common good (HUMSS_CSC-12-IIIa-c-3).
● Understand the concept of shared
identity, its characteristics, and its
benefits.
● Explain the concept of the
common good and its
characteristics.
● Recognize the characteristics of a
good citizen contributing to the
common good.

Let’s Connect

The Same But Different 20 minutes

This activity will allow the students to encourage understanding and acceptance by looking
for commonalities between people.

Instructions
1. Pair up with a classmate.
2. Talk about your differences from one another. Use the following questions as a guide
for your discussion.

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a. What are the similarities and differences in our beliefs?

b. How are our political views the same and different?
c. What are your life experiences that I may have or have not experienced?
d. In what ways are our personalities similar and dissimilar?
3. List the differences and commonalities that you have discovered about yourself and
your partner.
4. The guide questions below will be used for reflection.

Guide Questions
1. How did the activity make you see your classmate from a new perspective?
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2. In your opinion, are you more similar than different from your classmate? Explain
your answer briefly.
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3. Why do you think it is important to know the differences and similarities we share
with other people?
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Discover
Do you think a random act of kindness toward one person or one community can create a
significant effect on society? Social commentators believe that social problems occur and
spread because of people’s lack of commitment to the common good while pursuing
individual interests. The question now is, “How do we contribute to the common good?”

Through shared identity, communities can unite to attain the common good, where
everyone gets to enjoy and benefit from equal opportunities. Let us explore how having a
shared identity creates positive outcomes for the whole community and society in general.

How can we develop a sense of shared identity and

willingness to achieve the common good?

Shared Identity
Shared identity or collective identity is defined as a sense of belonging common to a
group or a community. Collective identity is formed by individuals within groups by
interacting and sharing beliefs with other members of the group. Social psychologists
believe that there is a significant relationship between individual identity and the society.
Collective identity can also be defined as “an individual’s cognitive, moral, and emotional
connections with a broader community, category, practice, or institution” (Polletta & Jasper
2001, 286).

From its different perspectives, shared identity can be described as the sameness or the
“we-ness” that allows people to create connections, social bonds, and common
understanding through shared beliefs, morals, and goals. It affects an individual’s
perception through which they experience the world as they interact with other people. For
instance, political views on shared identity can be related to the Marxist concepts of class
consciousness. It suggests that a class’ identity can be attributed to its values and interests,
and that it entails solidarity.

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An example of a shared identity is national identity, which can be referred to as the sense
of belongingness to a state or a nation. It influences how a person shares feelings with a
group of people, becomes aware of their differences from other nationalities, and
recognizes their similarities with people of the same nationality. National identity is
expressed by being patriotic, having national pride and love for one’s country, engaging in
active civic participation, and adhering to national beliefs and values.

Facets in the Formation of Collective Identity

The following facets are involved in the process of forming collective identity: cognitive
definition, active relationship, and emotional investment.

Cognitive Definition
Cognitive definition sets the framework for individual and group goals, means, and
environment of action. In forming collective identity, shared goals and objectives are
necessary to unite the community towards community development. The community
organizes activities that enable its members to participate and benefit from it.

Active Relationship
An active relationship is a relationship created between individuals and groups involved. In
this facet, the community leaders and members create a healthy and functional relationship
with each other. This allows the community to delegate tasks, attain goals, and provide
feedback to evaluate activities. Having an active relationship may also be extended to other
neighboring communities and organizations that can become partners in the
implementation of plans and activities.

Emotional Investment
Emotional investments are the recognition of emotions expressed among participants. A
community is built on shared sentiments and emotions of its leaders and members. Their
emotional investment contributes to creating meaningful and significant plans and activities
for the betterment of the community. Once the leaders and members are emotionally
invested in their community, they become passionate about their participation in plans and
activities.

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Benefits of a Shared Identity

Shared identity contributes to social unity and group cohesion among communities.
Mutually recognizing similarities can lead to people sharing a similar worldview resulting in
cooperation.

Shared identity encourages generosity by finding commonalities with other people. Sharing
an identity with others shapes the helping behavior and increases their commitment to
future actions. This increased commitment to future goals also builds a sense of unity and
cooperation, or what we call, collective agency among members of a community, allowing
them to contribute towards achieving the common goal. The experience of volunteering
encourages one’s motivation and well-being due to its associated fulfillment.

Shared identity allows communities to effectively communicate and to collectively respond

to the challenges that affect them. Collective behavior as a result of shared identity
enhances group empowerment and collective efficacy. Empowerment results in heightened
community resilience and collective well-being. These changes can result in social
transformation.

Check Your Progress

In your own words, how would you explain the benefits of a shared
identity?
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The Common Good

In various social science disciplines, the term common good has many variations. General
welfare, commonwealth, or public benefit are just some of the other terms associated with
the common good. Aristotle refers to the common good as “good proper to, and attainable
only by, the community, yet individually shared by its members” (Dupré 2009, 687).

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Fundamentally, the common good is a shared benefit received by most or all community
members. These benefits can either be material, cultural, or institutional. For example, road
systems and infrastructure are material forms of common good, which all the members of a
community benefit from. Museums that preserve the community’s heritage are examples of
cultural common good. Universal healthcare (i.e., Philhealth) and public education are some
institutional common good from which most members of the community benefit as well.

Fig. 1. Members of a community should look after one another.

The common good is also based on the belief that people should care about the virtue of
sharing relationships with others. Common good can be achieved through collective action,
active participation in politics, public service, and active citizenship.

In summary, to know whether a certain act or resource is for the common good, it must be
rooted in a mutual concern and basic moral standards that serve the common interest of
everyone in the community.

The Characteristics of a Good Citizen

A good citizen is often dedicated to the common good of the community. The collective or
shared identity among citizens can push them to contribute to the common good. The
following are characteristics of individuals committed to the attainment of the common
good:

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1. They are willing to volunteer, help, or teach others especially those who have little
access to education and information.
2. They promote the welfare of minorities and marginalized groups.
3. They show political morality by having the willingness to challenge and demand
change from the leaders and the government.
4. They show solidarity when their fellow citizens’ interests are similar to their own.
5. They treat people equally and protect others’ rights against violation.
6. They advocate for freedom from any form of stigma and discrimination.
7. They choose to do their part in the community instead of being free riders, or those
who just benefit without contributing.
8. They are communitarian rather than individualistic in their goals and beliefs.
9. They are willing to bear costs and carry unequal burdens for the sake of the common
good.
10. They are willing to extend social support when a fellow group member experiences
adversity.
11. They help in protecting the environment, preventing climate change, and developing
sustainable energy sources.

Check Your Progress

What is the common good, and how can one contribute to its
attainment?
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In Philippine Context
During the initial phase of the enhanced community quarantine due to the COVID-19
pandemic, a lot of families struggled to provide food for their family members. The
government’s initiative to distribute food packs to each household seemed to be
insufficient, particularly for poor and homeless families. Lack of employment and
livelihood made everyday living uncertain for the underprivileged.

During this crisis, the Filipinos’ community spirit of bayanihan has been remarkable, as
evidenced by the emergence of various food relief networks, especially in Metro Manila.
One initiative after another gave rise to a lot of people calling for donations and support.
Social media as a platform also helped in campaigning for this initiative. For instance, food
supplies were sourced from local farmers whose businesses were also affected by the
pandemic. Rice, vegetables, and canned goods were donated to institutions or community
kitchens who volunteered to prepare hot meals for health workers and street dwellers.
Other private groups volunteered to distribute them. Despite the crises and uncertainties
affecting everyone, these acts of helping and kindness show how having a shared identity
leads to developing actions and coordinated responses that contribute to the common
good.

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Wrap-Up
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
● Shared identity or collective identity is defined as a sense of belonging common to a
group or a community.
● The following facets are involved in the process of forming a collective identity:
cognitive definition, active relationship, and emotional investments.
● National identity is the sense of belonging to a state or a nation. It influences how a
person shares feelings with a group of people, becomes aware of their differences
from other nationalities, and recognizes their similarities with people of the same
nationality.
● Some of the benefits of having a shared identity include generosity within the
community, members' commitment to shared goals, a sense of unity and collective
agency, improved communication, and empowerment.
● The common good is a shared benefit received by most or all community members,
which can either be material, cultural, or institutional.
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Try This!
A. True or False. Identify whether the concepts being described are true or false. Write
your answer on the space provided.

_______________ 1. Cognitive definition is the relationship created between individuals and

groups involved.

_______________ 2. Emotional investments are the recognition of emotions expressed

among members of a group.

_______________ 3. Shared identity is formed by individuals and groups through

interaction and sharing of beliefs.

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_______________ 4. National identity is expressed by being patriotic, having national pride

and love for one’s country, actively engaging in civic participation, and
adhering to national beliefs and values.

_______________ 5. Shared identity encourages generosity by finding differences with

other people.

_______________ 6. Shared identity allows communities to effectively communicate and

collectively respond to the challenges that affect them.

_______________ 7. The experience of volunteering decreases one’s motivation and overall

well-being because of its lack of associated fulfillment.

_______________ 8. Shared identity increases the collective agency of communities.

_______________ 9. The common good means that mutual concern and basic moral
standards exist, and the common interests of people are served.

_______________ 10. One can contribute to the common good by simply being a free rider.

B. Short-Response Essay. Answer the following questions briefly and coherently.

1. How does studying shared identity and common good help you as a citizen?
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2. How is shared identity developed in a community?

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3. How does having a shared identity ensure the development of a community?

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4. In your opinion, do you think you can be considered as a youth contributing to the
common good? Explain your answer.
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5. How can shared identity result in the attainment of the common good?
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Challenge Yourself
Short-Response Essay. Write a short essay that expresses your insights on the given
questions below.

1. Assess your community in terms of the material, cultural, and institutional resources
or facilities present (e.g., schools, libraries, hospitals). Explain whether they function
to serve the common good.
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2. Choose one Filipino trait considered part of our national identity. Discuss how this
shared trait affects Filipinos as a community.
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Suggested Rubric for Grading

The rubric below is a suggested one. Your teacher may modify the rubric based on your
needs. Consult your teacher for the final rubric.

Performance Levels

1 2 3 Suggested
Criteria Score
Beginning Proficient Advanced Weight
Proficiency Proficiency

Content Less than half of the More than half of All of the answers
answers are coherent the answers are are coherent and
and plausible. plausible.
×3
coherent and
plausible.

Completeness Less than half of the More than half of All the required
concepts are stated the concepts are concepts are stated ×2
accurately. stated accurately. accurately.

Language Less than half of the More than half of All answers are
answers are the answers are grammatically
grammatically correct grammatically correct correct and free ×1
and free from spelling and free from spelling from spelling errors.
errors. errors.

Total Possible Score 18

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Reflect on This
Short-Response Essay. Write a short essay that expresses your insights on the given
question below.

Considering the shared identity of Filipinos, what can you say about our actions and its
ability to contribute to the common good? Provide situations to support your answer.
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Bibliography
Andre, Claire, and Manuel Velasquez. “The Common Good vs. Individualism.” Santa Clara
University Markkula Center for Applied Ethics. 1992.
https://www.scu.edu/mcae/publications/iie/v5n1/common.html.

Ashmore, Richard, Lee Jussim, and David Wilder, eds. Social Identity, Intergroup Conflict, and
Conflict Reduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2001.

Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis. “Common Good and Community.” Accessed
March 19, 2021.
http://www.cctwincities.org/education-advocacy/catholic-social-teaching/notable-qu
otations/common-good-and-community/.

Dupré, Louis. “The Common Good and the Open Society.” The Review of Politics 55, no. 4
(2009): 687–712.
https://doi.org/10.1017/S0034670500018052.

Gray, Debra, and Clifford Stevenson. “How Can ‘We’ Help? Exploring the Role of Shared
Social Identity in the Experiences and Benefits of Volunteering.” Journal of
Community and Applied Social Psychology Vol. 30, no. 4 (2020): 341–353.
https://doi.org/10.1002/casp.2448.

Guibernau, Montserrat. Nationalisms. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, 2013.

Hussain, Waheed. "The Common Good." The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. February
26, 2018.
https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/spr2018/entries/common-good/.

Maritain, Jacques, and John J. FitzGerald. “The Person and the Common Good.” The Review of
Politics 8, no. 4 (1946): 419–455. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0034670500045101.

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Polletta, Francesca, and James Jasper. “Collective Identity and Social Movements.” Annual
Review of Sociology 27 (2001): 283–305.
https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.soc.27.1.283.

Snow, David. “Collective Identity and Expressive Forms.” UC Irvine: Center for the Study of
Democracy. 2001.
https://escholarship.org/uc/item/2zn1t7bj.

Vatican. “Catechism of the Catholic Church.” Accessed March 19, 2021.

https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM.

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