Indonesia as a nation that has been independent for more than 60 years up until now has not achieved satisfactory progress. In the most fundamental problems, such as economy and education, Indonesia is still unable to compete with neighboring countries. Indonesia Human Development Index in 2007 (0.697) is the lowest among ASEAN countries (average 0.8). "This position has been stable since 2002. It means that over a period of five years there has been no significant change in the nation’s quality of life," said Drs. Bagus Riyono, M.A, in his doctoral examination at the UGM Faculty of Psychology on Monday (23/5). Bagus manages to maintain his dissertation entitled Reaching the "ANCHORS" Basic Motivational Strength to Offset Human Helplessness.
To look further in the economic indicators, Indonesia’s profiles were more of concern. This country inflation rates in 2007 was recorded 13%, while the average of all ASEAN countries was 5.9%. In this inflation rate issue, the Indonesia’s rate is more severe. Philippine which is one level above Indonesia, has its inflation rate at only 6.2%, very much different from Indonesia’s. "The time of crisis might be used an excuse, but even before the crisis Indonesia’s inflation rates had also reached double digits frequently," added the lecturer of the Faculty of Psychology.
With this condition, Bagus in the dissertation tries to raise a theory to be used as a force for Indonesia to keep pace with other nations. Bagus’s research concludes the fundamental dynamics of the motivational force is ‘In Search for Anchors’. The meaning of ‘in search’ is a phrase that indicates something that is active and ongoing, which is a search process. The next component is the ‘Anchors’, which is an objective that indicates stability or a mainstay for stability. "So the meaning of in search for anchors is the dynamics that have the paradox between freedom dynamic, with a tendency to reach stability," said the man born in Surakarta, 12 June 1963.
Furthermore, Bagus explained the paradox between freedom and stability occurs because behind the other side of human freedom there is the hidden form of the ‘risk avoidance’, ‘uncertainty tolerance’, and ‘hope reliance’ (RUH) dynamics. The RUH later can be used as an energy source or motivational forces that push someone to reach stability (Anchors).
The advantages of applying the theory of RUH can be felt in various contexts, such as in the case of parenting, education, industrial management and national education. In the realm of parenting, the application of this theory provides confirmation that the “all ok” parenting or the “all prohibited” parenting is not an effective practice because both would hamper "motivated behavior". The recommended parenting which is always tries to grow confidence in the future for children with the awareness of the existence of things to be cautious for in later life.
While for the national education, it is suggested to consider the element of "meaning", "challenge", and "incentive" to build a spirit of Indonesian patriotism. We can learn from Americans who have managed to instill national pride with the jargon of "this is a free country". "This concept could be applied in Indonesia, for example by raising and encouraging the jargon as an unyielding nation or a nation that upholds freedom. These jargons could at least encourage the Indonesian people’s motivation to go forward and dare to take an active role for humanity," Bagus explained.
In the doctoral examination that was attended by examiner team Prof. Dr. Faturochman, M.A., Dr. Fathul Himam, M. Psi., M.A., Dr. Subandi, M.A., Prof. Dr. Saifuddin Azwar, M.A., Dr. IJK Sito Meiyanto, Dr. Achmad Sobirin, MBA, and Kwartarini Wahyu Y., M.Med.Sc., Ph.D., Bagus Riyono graduated with honors. With that result, Bagus Riyono became the 1392 doctoral graduate from UGM.