Chapter 2

The Effect of Smart-shaming on the Academic Performance of Senior High
School Students at Tanza National Trade School
CHAPTER 2
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURES
This chapter contains the related literature and studies that were helpful in
this research study. All the data and information were founded and obtained from
online sources, journals, articles, and other materials that could give the right
information needed for the study.
Smart-shaming
Pieraz (2018) pointed out that the truth is most of us would deny it if
anyone asked and we might not even be conscious of it, but we all do smart-
shame. According to Biana (2019), in Philippine social media, anti-intellectualism
is evident through trendy phrases such as “Nosebleed”, or “Dami mong alam!”
The intention of these phrases is to shame the person who seemingly expresses a
trait of intellectualism whether it be deep insight or “smart content.” Biana (2019)
also elaborates that when one talks of matters on politics, philosophy, current
issues, these are considered as smart contents, and when one quotes or cites
experts and uses the English language to comment (be it in social media or
everyday conversations), one tends to be smart-shamed by anti-intellectuals.
Giving a strong opinion about whatever’s being discussed gets you stares from
across the table. Pieraz (2018) also discussed that correcting someone’s grammar
gets you called one of the worst labels in human history. And passing any bar or
board out there—law, medicine, engineering—is enough ammo for people to
attack you with. Nowadays, many students experience the phenomenon of smart-
shaming or anti-intellectualism, which involves mocking and distrusting
individuals who display intellectual pursuits. Those who deviate from the norm
are often ostracized and labeled as elitist or aloof. Unfortunately, there is a
growing trend of discouraging intellectual curiosity and valuing conformity over
learning, leading to the belief that seeking knowledge is futile and only the
privileged have access to wisdom.
Academic Performance
Khan et al., (2021) states that academic performance is among the several
components of academic success. Many factors, including socioeconomic status,
student temperament and motivation, peer, and parental support influence
academic performance. Tadese et al., (2022) said that education plays a pivotal
role in producing qualified human power that accelerates economic development
and solves the real problems of a community. Students are also expected to
spend much of their time on their education and need to graduate with good
academic results. It means that educational settings such as schools and
universities plays an important role in molding and improving students'
knowledge and behavior. According to Solon (2023), negative behaviors created
by being smart-shamed can create real problems for your fellow students and
yourself. Some students indeed are using sarcastic phrases to mock or smart-
shame their classmates without thinking of how it would affect their classmate's
overall being. Solon (2023) said that regardless if smart-shaming phrases are said
sarcastically or as a joke, their harmful effects on students cannot be overlooked.
Since smart-shaming commonly happens inside the school, it could influence a
student's academic performance. It's alright to correct other student's mistakes,
but Solon (2023) explains that some students have received vicious verbal attacks
and insults from their classmates. These attacks leave the victim feeling ashamed
and embarrassed. As a result, they become reluctant to express their opinions in
class and even avoid participating in group activities at school.
Mental Health
In the study, The Effect of Smart-Shaming to Grade 12 Humanities and Social

Science students in Arellano University - Jose Rizal Highschool by Bonita et al.,
(2019) concluded that majority of their respondents agreed that smart-shaming is
a form of bullying and can cause insecurities to students who have experienced it.
Another discussion made by Solon (2023) discusses that the smart-shaming
phenomenon takes on victims’ mental health cannot be understated. It can make
them question their abilities and believe they are stupid since other students
think they are silly. This type of self-doubt can lead to anxiety and depression,
affecting their performance in school and causing long-term mental problems.
This is why educating ourselves and others about the harmful effects of smart
shaming is essential to prevent it from affecting one's mental health status.
According to Lauren Castillo (2023), shaming others or devalue the person
prevents them from pursuing intellectual development and may lead into thinking
that what they say does not matter, or worse, they do not matter. Even if you
think it is, it is not just an expression.
Shaming
Rodriguez (2019) states that, the concept of hiya is a dominant Filipino

value. Expressions such as “mahiya ka naman” or “walang hiya ka” exhibit the
need for Filipinos to be conscious of showing too much confidence in something.
It is the act of publicly criticizing and drawing attention to someone, especially on
the internet. There are lots of shaming happening in our society, such as body
shaming, face shaming, online shaming, and of course, the topic of this study
which is smart-shaming or what others know as anti-intellectualism. In the study,
Common Smart Shaming Phrases: An Analysis of Origin and Causes by Cheza
Cantojos (2019), the researchers came up with an exclusive based comprehensive
analysis of the grassroots of smart-shaming and its effect on the society.
Educating as they are, these intelligent agreements are sometimes bluffed by
limiting blow to the intellect which is technically referred to as smart-shaming.
These smart-shaming phrases were used either as a joke or a form of sarcasm.
92% of the respondents confirmed that they are victims of smart shaming. Blows
to the intellect, may it be for humorous purposes or a form of sarcasm impedes
the flow of intellectual arguments the study revealed negative effects to the self-
esteem of students and a halt to the flow of information vital to achieving
understanding.
Synthesis
The related literature pertaining to smart-shaming, academic performance,

mental health, and shaming has significant value to the present research study as
it touches on the similarities and different aspects of related variables.
Rodriguez (2019) and Biana (2019) both dropped example expressions or phrases
that people usually say when they want to criticize or smart-shame someone.
These expressions are commonly seen in social media, especially in today's
generation. On the other hand, both Pieraz (2018) and Biana (2019) said that
giving strong opinions and correction about something that is being discussed
gets you stares from across the tables because people might think that you are
being perfectionist and acts with superiority.
The researcher of this study observed that students who smart-shame others
always say “joke” after criticizing them, and according to Cheza Cantojos (2019),
Lauren Castillo (2023), and Solon (2023), people indeed do smart-shame for
humorous purposes or as a form of sarcasm, thinking that it's just an expression,
but it is not. However, Solon (2023) emphasized that regardless if smart-shaming
phrases are said sarcastically, their effect on students cannot be overlooked. It
could create a more serious problems to students such as embarrassment to
participate and may be blaming themselves because they might think that
something's working with them, like how the study of Bonita et al., (2019)
revealed that majority of their respondents agreed that smart-shaming can cause
insecurities and can be distinguish as a form of bullying.
Khan et al., (2021) and Tadese et al., (2022) both states that education is an
important ingredient to attain academic success, which is also tackled in the
present study because if you are experiencing good education without being
smart-shamed by someone, your academic performance will be good as well—
leading to academic success. Students tend to put lots of effort in studying just to
graduate with good grades, therefore, a safe and good environment is really
important for them to improve their academic performance, an environment
where smart-shaming should not happen.
References
Cantojos, C. (2019). Common Smart Shaming Phrases: An analysis of Origin and

Causes. Ascendens Asia Journal of Multidisciplinary Research Abstracts.
https://ojs.aaresearchindex.com/index.php/AAJMRA/article/view/11775
Biana, H. (2019). Configuring Smart-Shaming Culture in the Philippines. Routledge.

https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003348382-11/
configuring-smart-shaming-culture-philippines-hazel-biana
Tadese, M., Yeshaneh, A. & Mulu, G.B. (2022). Determinants of good academic
performance among university students in Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study. BMC
Med Educ 22, 395. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-022-03461-0
Khan, S., Ahmed, K.R., Hadrami, A.A., Islam, R., Hossain, S., Shahjahan, M. (2021).
Factors influencing poor academic performance among urban university students
in Bangladesh. International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education. pp.
1140~1148
Pieraz, A. (2018). Pinoy Culture: Why Do We Smart Shame? Wonder Mag PH.
https://wonder.ph/popculture/smart-shaming/
Bonita, J., Gesolgani, K., Judar, A., Layson, F., Lopera, J., Marucut, J., Mortel, R.,
Sanchez, K., Santiago, N., Rafols, A., Vallejos, M. (2019). The Effect of Smart-
Shaming to Grade 12 Humanities and Social Science students in Arellano
University - Jose Rizal Highschool. Scribd.
https://www.scribd.com/document/431321583/HUMSS-1A-RESEARCH-FINAL-
REVISED-docx Solon, K.G., (2023) Smart Shaming: A Threat to our Collective
Intelligence. Humanist Alliance Philippines, International.
https://hapihumanist.org/2023/03/18/smart-shaming-is-a-threat/
Rodriguez, R. (2018). Eh ‘di Ikaw Na Matalino!” – 3 Reasons Why You Should STOP
Smart-Shaming. The Breaker's Archives. https://icanbreakthrough.com/eh-di-
ikaw-namatalino-3-reasons-why-you-should-stop-smart-shaming/

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The Effect of Smart-shaming on the Academic Performance of Senior High

School Students at Tanza National Trade School

In the study, The Effect of Smart-Shaming to Grade 12 Humanities and Social

Rodriguez (2019) states that, the concept of hiya is a dominant Filipino

The related literature pertaining to smart-shaming, academic performance,

Cantojos, C. (2019). Common Smart Shaming Phrases: An analysis of Origin and

Biana, H. (2019). Configuring Smart-Shaming Culture in the Philippines. Routledge.

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