(M3-MAIN) Unpacking The Self
(M3-MAIN) Unpacking The Self
(M3-MAIN) Unpacking The Self
Nowadays, people are so conscious with their physical features. While some
people become contented of who they are and how they look like, most
people are busy making themselves prettier, sexier, more handsome and
therefore, more acceptable.
• A crucial aspect of the self is one’s physical features including the face,
bodily structure, height and weight. However, people should also
consider their physical competencies, valuation of physical worth, and
perception of beauty.
• AM I BEAUTIFUL?
• DO PEOPLE FIND ME ATTRACTIVE?
• WHAT CAN I DO TO ENHANCE MY FEATURES?
THE BIOLOGICAL BLUEPRINT
However, the physical self is not only limited to what can be seen by the
naked eye; underneath the skin is a dynamic system of biological and
chemical processes that contribute to one’s physical features. Body
structure, weight, height, skin color, hair color, and other physical
characteristics do not just develop at random. These are triggered by
genetic transformations and biological development through heredity.
heredity
– is defined as the transmission of traits from parents to offspring. The
traits are made up of specific information embedded within one’s gene, the
basic unit of heredity.
Each individual carries 23 pairs of chromosomes. The 23rd pair is the sex
chromosomes, determines the sex of an individual.
FEMALES: MALES:
large eyes, large eyes,
a small nose, large chin,
a small chin, prominent cheekbones
prominent cheekbones and a big smile
narrow cheeks,
high eyebrows,
large pupils,
a big smile
What is attractive?
High attractiveness ratings were
associated with:
Michael Cunningham (1986)
•A self image problem happens when your looks doesn't match your beauty
standards. For example if you believed that attractive people are slim ones
and if you were not slim (but not obese) then you might believe that you are
unattractive even though others might believe that you are attractive.
• The problem here is with your own beauty standards and not with your
looks. In order to like your looks, you must fix your false beliefs about
physical attractiveness.
Body image, self-esteem and the
influence of society
• Society shapes us in many ways, possibly more than we realize – from our
interactions, to our personal development through to others’ perception of
our bodies as a reflection of self worth.
• We are social beings. Genetically, we rely on one another for the survival
of humanity. That primal connection makes our interactions physiologically
and psychologically important. So it’s not surprising that how society
perceives us affect us on many levels.
Body image is both internal
(personal) and external (society)
This includes:
• How we perceive our bodies visually
• How we feel about our physical appearance
• How we think and talk to ourselves about our bodies
• Our sense of how other people view our bodies
The more we look at perfect images of others and then look to find those
same idealized characteristics in ourselves and don’t find them, the worse
we feel about ourselves. It’s a cycle that breeds discontent. With such strong
societal scrutiny it’s easy to see how the focus on how we look can slide into
the dark side – negative body image.
Body image is both internal
(personal) and external (society)
The greater our discontent with how we measure up when compared to the
societal or media supported norms, the more negative our body image, and
the greater the risk for extreme weight or body control behaviours occurs.
We’re taking…
• Extreme dieting
• Extreme exercise compulsion
• Eating disorders
• Extreme or unnecessary plastic surgery
• Using steroids for muscle building
Prejudice - size
Intolerance of body diversity has a lot to do with prejudice of size and shape
in our culture. Being thin, toned and muscular has become associated with
the hard-working, successful, popular, beautiful, strong, and the disciplined.
• Being fat is associated with the lazy, ugly, weak, and lacking in
will-power.
• With this prejudice, fat isn’t a description like tall or redhead – it’s an
indication of moral character and we are conditioned to think that fat is bad.
Those closest to us –
family and friends
We learn from other people, particularly those closest to us about the things
that are considered important.
• Talk back to the media. All media and messages are developed or constructed
and are not reflections of reality. So shout back. Speak our dissatisfaction with
the focus on appearance and lack of size acceptance
• De-emphasize numbers. Kilograms on a scale don’t tell us anything
meaningful about the body as a whole or our health. Eating habits and activity
patterns are much more important
• Realize that we cannot change our body type: thin, large, short or tall, we
need to appreciate the uniqueness of what we have – and work with it
So how can we build a strong and
positive body image?
• Stop comparing ourselves to others. We are unique and we can’t get a sense of
our own body’s needs and abilities by comparing it to someone else
• We need to move and enjoy our bodies not because we have to, but because it
makes us feel good. Walking, swimming, biking, dancing – there is something for
everyone
• Spend time with people who have a healthy relationship with food, activity,
and their bodies
• Question the degree to which self-esteem depends on our appearance. If we
base our happiness on how we look it is likely to lead to failure and frustration,
and may prevent us from finding true happiness
So how can we build a strong and
positive body image?
• Broaden our perspective about health and beauty by reading about body image, cultural
variances, or media influence. Check out a local art gallery paying particular attention to fine
art collections that show a variety of body types throughout the ages and in different cultures
• Each of us will have a positive body image when we have a realistic perception of our
bodies, when we enjoy, accept and celebrate how we are and let go of negative societal or
media perpetuated conditioning.
But the media and society in general, are not all bad.
As with most things, with the bad comes the potential for good and
increasingly, people the world over are waking up to the negativity and
conditioning that we are bombarded with daily.
References:
Orbeta, R. (2019). Unpacking the Self – Physical Self.
Slideshare. Retrieved from
https://www.slideshare.net/RubiOrbeta/physical-self
Development of Secondary
Sex Characteristics
Review
PRIMARY sexual characteristics are the organs that
make reproduction possible;
are present during birth
Secondary Sex Characteristics
Sexual organs and traits that develop at puberty
and are indirectly involved in human reproduction.
Female
Secondary Sex Characteristics
• Growth spurt
• Onset of the menstrual
cycle
• monthly shedding of the
blood and tissue that line
the uterus in preparation
for pregnancy when
conception does not occur
• Breast development
Female
Secondary Sex Characteristics
• Widening hips
• Pubic hair
• Fat deposits
• Further growth and
development of the
uterus, vagina, and
ovaries
Male
Secondary Sex Characteristics
• Enlarged larynx (Adam’s
apple)
• Deepening voice
• Facial and chest hair
• Pubic hair
• Coarser skin texture
• large height increase
Part 2
Anatomy
Chromosomes
Hormones
Gender
Sexuality
MALE STEREOTYPES
controlling
dominant
independent
manipulating the environment
assertive
competitive
FEMALE STEREOTYPES
relatively passive
nurturing
loving
sensitive
supportive in social relationships
active family roles as wife and mother
GENDER DIFFERENCES
Boys:
have greater visual-spatial ability beginning
around age 10,
also excel at mathematics beginning around
age 12
Cognitive
GENDER DIFFERENCES
Girls:
Superior in Conscientiousness:
Focused attention, responsibility,
dependability, delay of gratification;
strongly correlated with school
success
Social
GENDER DIFFERENCES
Boys:
more aggressive,
especially physical aggression and
direct verbal assault
(Girls use indirect forms of aggression
such as exclusion, negative gossip.)
Social
GENDER DIFFERENCES
Boys:
more into risk-taking and sensation
seeking;
curiosity and exploratory behavior;
attracted to physically dangerous
occupations
Social
GENDER DIFFERENCES
Girls:
more compliant with demands of
parents and teachers;
more nurturant and dependent;
more fearful of possible personal
threats and dangers
Gender Prejudice
Dopamine
Serotonin
Oxytocin
Endorphin
DOPAMINE
is the great feeling that a reward is
at hand.
DOPAMINE
releases energy for “the chase”
New “love” stimulates the
brain to produce a lot of
dopamine.
It drops once you get the
“reward.”
OXYTOCIN
is the “love and attachment” chemical; stimulated
by touch, trust, birth and sex
SEROTONIN
is the pleasure of social dominance
SEROTONIN
is not aggression, but a calm sense that
“I will get the reward ”
When you enjoy the attention of someone
important, it boosts your Serotonin.
ENDORPHINS
mask pain so you can do what
it takes to survive.
ENDORPHINS
are “endogenous morphine” sources,
but it’s meant for EMERGENCIES
(not partying)
ENDORPHINS
are stimulated by pain, exercise,
crying and laughing
when lovers make each other laugh,
it’s a valuable chance to enjoy Endorphins.
Natural selection built a brain that
makes you feel good when you do
things that promote your genes.
Dopamine
Endorphin
Oxytocin
Serotonin
Part 6
SEXUAL
MOTIVATION:
nature’s way of
making people
procreate, enabling
our species to survive
Genetics and Sexual Motivation
Hormones and Sexual Motivation
Estrogen Testosterone
High Intelligence: Teens with higher intelligence are likely to delay sex, thinking of the consequences
Religiosity: Religious teens and adults often reserve sex for a marital commitment.
Father Presence: A father’s absence from home can contribute to higher teen sexual activity.
Learning Programs: Teens who volunteer and tutor in programs dedicated to reducing teen
pregnancy are less likely to engage in unsafe sex.
Altruistic Activities: Acts that are focused on helping others lessen self-centredness and sexual
preoccupation
Sexual Orientation
Sexual orientation refers to one’s preferences as
an object of sexual attraction.
may exist in the form of desires, interests, infatuations, and
fantasies
“Identity” as either heterosexual, bisexual, or exclusively
homosexual, emerges in puberty
Origins of Sexual Orientation
Theories suggesting that sexual preference is related to parenting behaviors or childhood abuse
are not supported by evidence.
Differences appear to begin at birth. This could be genetic, or it could be caused by exposure to
hormones or antigens in the womb.
The fraternal birth order effect:
being born after a brother increases the likelihood of being gay.
Origins of Sexual Orientation
GENDER IDENTITY GENDER ROLE
what our culture and
the sense of whether we “feel” environment imposes on us
like a male or a female
Human Values and Sex Research
Maternal Care
Sex
Education
So what’s the Problem?
the country will guarantee this
same right to unmarried
teenagers, since they are
"individuals"
✓ Stops ovulation
✓ Thins uterine lining
✓ Thickens cervical mucus
Benefits Side Effects
✓ Prevents pregnancy
✓ Eases menstrual ✓ Breast tenderness
cramps ✓ Nausea
✓ Shortens period ✓ headaches
✓ Regulates period
✓ Moodiness
✓ Prevents ovarian
and uterine cancer ✓ Weight change
✓ Decreases facial ✓ Spotting
acne
Injectables
Injectables
✓ shots given every three months to prevent
pregnancy
✓ 99.7% effective
✓ No daily pills to remember
✓ Side Effects: Extremely irregular menstrual
bleeding for 3-6 months; Amenorrhea after 3-
6 months; Weight change; Breast tenderness;
Mood change
Subdermal
Implants
Subdermal Implants
✓ Nexplanon / Implanon
✓ releases progestin: thickens cervical
mucus, stops eggs from leaving the ovaries
✓ can be easily removed by a doctor
✓ 99% Effective
Intra-uterine Devices
Intra-uterine Devices
✓ a tiny device made of flexible plastic,
inserted in a woman's uterus to prevent
pregnancy
✓ Copper IUD (non-hormonal): up to 10
years;
✓ Progestin IUD: up to 5 years
✓ more than 99% effective
Intra-uterine Devices
Estella, A. (2017). Your Complete Guide To Birth Control Methods In The Philippines.
Cosmopolitan. Retrieved from https://www.cosmo.ph/health/health-
report/contraceptives-available-philippines-kinds-prices-effectiveness-side-effects-
a1526-20170203-lfrm2
MATERIAL SELF
Theory of Meaning of Material Possessions
(Dittmar, 1992, 2004)
- suggests that material goods can fulfill a range of instrumental, social,
symbolic and affective functions
Economics
- defined as “the study of things that a person is lacking, of how people make use of
the things that they have, and of making the right decisions”
- the condition of the person, group or region as regards to material prosperity
Economic Self-Sufficiency
• Professional development
• Self-determination
• Motivational and value sphere of
his personality
SYMBOLIC MOTIVES
1. Status Motives
- The extent to which the people believe they can derive a sense of recognition or
achievement from owning and using the right kind of product, can be an important
motivator of behavior.
- Materialism is the importance ascribed to the ownership and acquisition of material
goods in achieving major life goals.
- In some cultures, a lady should wear expensive jewelry to attract a wealthy man into
marrying her.
- Status may increase consumption and can motivate behavior.
- For instance, one will buy a flat screen TV of a known brand, with latest features merely
because it is more expensive than other models.
SYMBOLIC MOTIVES
2. Affective Motives
- Affect (emotions) serves as a motivator of pro-environmental behavior.
- In relation to the economic self, affective motive: people buy the goods not only because
they think they need it but more so because of the joy/happiness (affect) buying the
goods provide through the mere acquisition of it.
Anticipated affect
- is when a person is expecting to feel good or guilty when doing something
- Anticipated positive affect (excitement, pride, happiness) and negative affect (anger,
sadness, and frustration) are important predicates of whether to buy or not to buy the
product.
- This can be a strong motivator or barrier for the buying behavior.
The Theory of Self
1. Its constituents;
2. The feelings and emotions they arouse (Self-
feelings)
3. The actions to which they prompt (Self-seeking
and Self-preservation)
The Self
William James (1890)
The Constituents of the Self:
It is our PSYCHOLOGICAL
OWNERSHIP of these materials which
constitute the material self.
The Material Self
William James (1890)
What makes something part of the extended self?
Do we respond to it in an emotional way?
Do we invest effort in enhancing or maintaining its
possession?
The Material Self
William James (1890)
The extended self has a positive valence
not by virtue of possessing material per
se; these possessions become a part of
us.
They serve symbolic functions.
The Material Self
William James (1890)
Express who
we are and how
we want to be
regarded
The Material Self
William James (1890)
Extend
ourselves in
time
(Immortality)
Constituents of
the Material Self
Our bodies
Clothes
Clothes
“The old saying that the human person is composed
of three parts—soul, body, and clothes—is more than
a joke.
We so appropriate our clothes and identify ourselves
with them that there are few of us who, if asked to
choose between having a beautiful body clad in
raiment perpetually shabby and unclean, and having
an ugly and blemished form always spotlessly attired,
would not hesitate a moment before making a
decisive reply.”
Immediate Family
Immediate Family
“Next, our immediate family is a part of
ourselves. Our father and mother, our wife
and babes, are bone of our bone and flesh of
our flesh. When they die, a part of our very
selves is gone. If they do anything wrong, it
is our shame. If they are insulted, our anger
flashes forth as readily as if we stood in their
place.”
Home
Our Home
“Its scenes are part of our life;
its aspects awaken the tenderest feelings of
affection; and we do not easily forgive the
stranger who, in visiting it, finds fault with its
arrangements or treats it with contempt”
The Material Self
William James (1890)
our bodies
clothes
immediate family
home
References:
Cortez, A. (2019). Written Report Lesson 3 THE Material OR Economic SELF.
StuDocu. Retrieved from https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/pamantasan-ng-
lungsod-ng-maynila/anatomy-and-physiology/other/written-report-lesson-3-the-
material-or-economic-self/6339827/view
1. Buddhism
2. Christianity
3. Hinduism
4. Islam
5. Judaism
Buddhism: basic beliefs
Four Noble Truths:
1. existence is suffering ( dukhka );
2. suffering has a cause, namely craving
and attachment ( trishna );
3. there is a cessation of suffering, which
is nirvana ;
4. and there is a path to the cessation of
suffering, the eightfold path of right
views, right resolve, right speech, right
action, right livelihood, right effort, right
mindfulness, and right concentration.
Buddhism: basic beliefs
Experience is analyzed into five
aggregates ( skandhas ).
1. form ( rupa ), refers to material
existence
2. sensations ( vedana )
3. perceptions ( samjna )
4. psychic constructs ( samskara )
5. consciousness ( vijnana ), refer to
psychological processes.
https://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/religion/eastern/buddhism/buddhism/basic-beliefs-and-practices
Christianity: basic beliefs
Christians believe that Jesus Christ was
the Son of God – fully human and fully
divine – and that through believing in him
and following his teachings they can
inherit eternal life.
Trinity
Christians believe in the , or the
three parts of God:
1. God the Father or Creator,
2. God the Son (Jesus) or Redeemer, and
3. God the Holy Spirit or Sanctifier.
Hindus acknowledge that, at the most fundamental level, God is the One without
a second — the absolute, formless, and only Reality known as Brahman, the
Supreme, Universal Soul. Brahman is the universe and everything in it.
Brahman has no form and no limits; it is Reality and Truth.
Thus Hinduism is a pantheistic religion: It equates God with the universe. Yet
Hindu religion is also polytheistic: populated with myriad gods and goddesses
who personify aspects of the one true God, allowing individuals an infinite
number of ways to worship based on family tradition, community and regional
practices, and other considerations.
Hinduism: basic beliefs
Here are just some of the many
Hindu gods and goddesses:
Brahma, the Creator
Vishnu, the Preserver
Shiva, the Destroyer
Ganapati, the Remover of Obstacles
Saraswati, the Goddess of Learning
Lakshmi, Goddess of good fortune, wealth, and well-being
Indra, the King of Heaven and lord of the gods
Surya, the sun
Agni, the fire god
Hanuman, the monkey king and devoted servant
https://www.dummies.com/religion/hinduism/hindu-gods-and-goddesses/
Islam: basic beliefs
https://uri.org/kids/world-religions/muslim-beliefs
Judaism: basic beliefs
https://uri.org/kids/world-religions/jewish-beliefs
Religious groups
Identity and in the Philippines
Self-concept
Estimate of Adherents
Group
[year reported]
1. Roman Catholic - 80% of the pop. (1998)
2. Other Christian Denominations Combined - 8.7% of the pop. (1990)
3. Muslim/Islamic - 7% of the pop. (2001)
4. Indigenous Religions - 1.2% of the pop. (1990)
5. Buddhists - 0.1 % of the pop (1990)
6. Atheists (did not identify religion) - 0.3 % of the pop. (1990)
Protestants - 8% of the pop. (1990)
El Shaddai - 5 million (2001)
Church of the Nazarene - 14,081 (1998)
Church of Jesus Christ and the Latter Day Saints - 389,000 (1999)
Seventh-Day Adventists (Central Phil. Union
- 181,241 (2000)
Conf.)
Chinese - 1% of the pop (1996)
Hindu - unknown
Mennonites - 1,365 (1998)
Philippine Episcopal Church - unknown
United Church of Christ in the Philippines - unknown
Evangelical - 5.1% (1995)
Baptist World Alliance - 212,643 (1998)
http://www.seasite.niu.edu/Tagalog/Modules/Modules/PhilippineReligions/religious_groups.htm
Religious groups
Identity and in the Philippines
Self-concept
Estimate of Adherents
Group
[year reported]
Methodist - unknown
Judaism - 250 (1998)
Ang Dating Daan - unknown
Worldwide Church of God - 25,000 (2002)
Jehovah's Witnesses - 128,134 (1999)
Unitarian - 1,000 (1998)
Assemblies of God (Ilocos Norte) - 277 (1990)
God World Missions Church - unknown
Presbyterian - unknown
Lutheran Church in the Philippines - unknown
Mount Banahaw Holy Confederation - unknown
Rizalistas - unknown
13% of the pop (1918);
Aglipayan (Philippine Independence Church) -
2,574,000 (1998)
3,000,000 (1999);
Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ) - at least 2 million in Metro Manila
(2000)
Philippine Benevolent Missionary Association
- 60,000 (2002)
(PBMA)
http://www.seasite.niu.edu/Tagalog/Modules/Modules/PhilippineReligions/religious_groups.htm
But spirituality is more than just
religion
What Is Spirituality?
What Is Spirituality?
1. What was your “peak experience?” What has been the most
transcendent or happy moment in your life so far?
2. What accomplishment are you most proud of?
3. What do you want people to say about your life when it is over?
4. What kind of community would you build if you had infinite
resources and time?
film viewing
PK (2014)
ReferenceS:
http://factsanddetails.com/southeast-asia/Philippines/sub5_6f/entry-3904.html
Relationship of values and politics
http://factsanddetails.com/southeast-asia/Philippines/sub5_6f/entry-3904.html
Relationship of values and politics
Relationship of values and politics
http://factsanddetails.com/southeast-asia/Philippines/sub5_6f/entry-3904.html
• What are your thoughts? Insights?
• What is your stand?
How to be a good Filipino?
• Alata, E.P., Caslib Jr., B.N., Serafica, J.J. & Pawilen, R.A.
(2018). Understanding the self. Rex Bookstore.
• Pinoy Life: 8 Classic Filipino Traits and Characteristics.
(2016, June 9). Owlcation. Retrieved from
https://owlcation.com/social-sciences/Filipino-Traits-
and-Characteristics
• Abello, J. (2014). 14 Bad Habits that Filipinos should
Break to Achieve Progress. Retrieved from
https://faq.ph/14-bad-habits-that-filipinos-should-
break-to-achieve-progress/
DIGITAL SELF
INTRODUCTION
Online Dating
Chat rooms
Social Media
Mobile phones
Online Shopping
Extended Self (Digital)
In 1988 Russell Belk observed that our material
possessions constitute an extension of our inner
selves. We project emotions onto material
objects that affect our state of being, often in
an effort to enhance our self-construction,
“…knowingly or unknowingly, intentionally or
unintentionally, we regard our possessions as
parts of ourselves.”
Extended Self (Digital)
As with everything gobbled and regurgitated by digital life,
those material possessions take on a different form – one that
according to Belk involves de-materialization:
“created to protect
“instinctive core the "true self"
of our personality” from insult and
danger”
Winnicott, D. W. (1960)
Critical Reflection
“knowingly or unknowingly,
intentionally or unintentionally,
we regard our possessions
as parts of ourselves”
GUILTY OR
NOT GUILTY?
GUILTY OR
FOODSTAGRAMMING
NOT GUILTY?
Posting aesthetic snapshots of gourmet
dishes is also a part of our visual self-
presentation: polished photos show us in a
positive light to others. Approval and
validation seeking are other strong motives:
22% of food photos show self-cooked meals,
of which their creators are particularly
proud.
GUILTY OR
MEMEING
NOT GUILTY?
Memeing is an internet slang verb that means
to create or spread a meme. In 2013, the verb
evolved to also mean communicating through
memes.
Atanasova, A. (2016, November 9). The Psychology of Foodstagramming. Social Media Today. Retrieved from
https://www.socialmediatoday.com/social-networks/psychology-foodstagramming
Dela Cruz, I. (n.d.). Smart Shaming: The Filipino Culture of Anti-Intellectualism. Change.org. Retrieved from
https://www.change.org/p/web-surfers-smart-shaming-the-filipino-culture-of-anti-intellectualism
Oversharing and Social Media. (2020, January 7). Retrieved from https://apps.il-work-
net.com/ArticleViewer/Article/Index/257/%7Blink%7D#:~:text=Oversharing%20is%20when%20people%20share,%22putting%20yours
elf%20online%22%20easy.