Self as representation

The self-concept seems like a very private phenomenon. After all, people’s
thoughts about themselves are hidden and are often highly personal. Yet the self-
concept is also very much a social phenomenon. It has social roots (e.g., reflected
appraisals, social comparison), it includes social identities and roles, and it guides our
perception of others and our behavior in social settings.

Self-presentation is not only a prevalent aspect of our lives, it is also a very

important one. Our success at leading others to believe we possess various
characteristics has a profound influence on our outcomes in life (Hogan & Briggs,
1986). Who we marry, who our friends are, whether we get ahead at work, and many
other outcomes depend, to a great extent, on our ability to convince people that we
are worthy of their love, their friendship, their trust, and their respect. Undoubtedly,
this need to create a positive impression is one reason that people spend billions of
dollars a year on cosmetics and other personal-appearance products. Self-
presentational concerns also lead people to engage in behaviors that enhance their
appearance to others but simultaneously jeopardize their own physical well-being
(e.g., overexposure to the sun; excessive dieting) (Leary, Tchividijian, &Kraxberger,
1994). Self- presentational concerns can even underlie selfdestructive behaviors,
such as cigarette smoking and substance abuse (Sharp & Getz, 1996).

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Source:https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/802133383613095985/

The Self-Embedded in Culture

Clifford Geertz (1973) American Anthropologist Aim of most of his work is to

provide an understanding and acknowledgement of “thick description” that exists
within cultures; understanding other people’s understandings of things.

Cognitive Anthropology sees that culture is made of “psychological structures

by means of which individuals or groups guide their behavior” Culture is public
because the meaning behind the actions is public Culture is a context, where the
behaviors that occur can be described thickly Geertz supported a semiotic approach
that would aim to connect and gain access into other forms of cultures He ultimately
wanted to try and make thick description possible
2|Page Understanding the Self: Week 1-9
 Let’s Evaluate!

A. True or False. Write T on the blank if the statement is true

and write F if it is false.

_________ 1. Dynamism, characterized having vigorous

activity and progress. Everything is subject to
change, and changes happen much more
rapidly than ever before in human history.
_________
2. Anorganic group is naturally occurring and its
_________ highly influenced by your family.

3. Rationalgroups occur in modern societies and

formed as a matter of grouped- interest
_________
_________ 4. Mead's work focuses on the way in which the
self is not develop.
5. Cognitive Anthropology sees that culture is made of
“psychological structures by means of which individuals or groups guide their
behavior” Culture is public because the meaning behind the actions is public

B. Check whether you agree or disagree with the following statements:

Statement Agree Disagree

1. I believe everyone has control over their

lives.
2. I believe that we cannot be continued by
society.
3. I believe that we are fully aware of our
behaviors.
4. I think all people are good

5. I believe that everyone can be a saint.

Rank the following social institutions according to what you value the most (1) to the one you
value the least (5). Explain your ranking below.

technology

government

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 church

family

school

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5|Page Understanding the Self: Week 1-9
 Let’s Analyze!

Consider Mead’s concept of the I and Me self. Using

graphic organizer below, make a list of your characteristics for each of
these two categories. Which one better describes your social self?

MySocial Self

I Self
MeSelf

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 Let’s Reflect!

Make a short essay on how society, specifically your relationships with your
family, friends, and others, influences who are you today. Write it in the space
provided below.

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Your Turn. What are the three things you have discovered about your social self?

Which of the anthropological views of the self relates to your own belief? Explain how
each view impact your self-understanding.

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 Q & A List

This section is a place for you to raise your questions and queries that you fell the instructor should
give
attention to. Feel free to ask relevant questions related from the course here. This Q & A
portion helps the review of concepts and essential knowledge.
Questions/Issues Answers

7.

8.

3.

4.

9|Page Understanding the Self: Week 1-9

 5.

Do you have any questions for clarification?

Keywords Index

This section lists down the keywords for easy recall of concepts.

Capitalism Industrialism Dynamism

Play Language Modernization
“me” “I” Social Group
Anthropology Culture

b. Big Picture in Focus: ULOb.Define and describe the different psychological

concepts as well as the comparison of eastern and western views of the
self.

Metalanguage

a. For you to demonstrate ULOb, Define and describe the different psychological
concepts as well as the comparison of eastern and western views of the self.

KEY TERMS

 Psychology - the scientific study of the mind and behavior

 Cognitive Development - is the emergence of the ability to
think and understand
 Assimilation - using an existing schema to deal with a new object or
situation
 Accommodation - the existing schema (knowledge) does not
work and needs to be changed to deal with a new object or
situation
 false self - hide and protect the true self

10 | P a g e U n d e r s t a n d i n g t h e S e l f : W e e k 1 - 9
 SELF-HELP:You can also refer to the sources below to help you further
understand the lesson:

1. Blaisdell, A. (2009). A biological definition of self-psychology. Principles

of Gestalt Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0052629
2. Ghallager, S. (2002). Philosophical conceptions of the self: Implications
for cognitive science.
Trends in Cognitive Sciences, pp. 14-21. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1364-
6613(99)01417-5
3. https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?
article=1003&context=ojur
4. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/
ad90/386c365d2b46acb89493efc82ad98c5ff1e8.pdf

Let’s Evaluate!

A. Fill in the Blanks.

1. The term refers to the scientific study of how

people behave, think, and feel.
2. The self flourishes in if the mother is
positively responsive to the child’s
expressions.
3. is the application of previous concepts to new
concepts.
4. is the essential characteristic that never ever
changes and shapes who you are.
5. The is a psychological perspective that
emphasizes the active role in the individuals
in shaping their internal and external worlds.
6. is the tendency to see reality as an aggregate
of parts.
7. is the principal of cosmic order.
8. The means having the right to practice
propriety in all that you do.
9. means wisdom.
10. The is the Arabic word for “self”.

B. Answer the following essay questions.

11 | P a g e U n d e r s t a n d i n g t h e S e l f : W e e k 1 - 9
 1. Which of the basic concepts described in the preceding theories do you
think applies to you the most?

2. Did the theories of the self-lead you to recognize your strengths and
weaknesses?

.
3. How does the lesson foster self-understanding and development?

C. True or False. Write T on the blank if the statement is true and write F if it
is false.
1. Eastern thought is pluralistic
2. There is a separation between philosophy and religion in Eastern
thought.
3. The Eastern way of thinking is analytic-deductive.
4. The Western concept of individual freedom is seen as a double-
edged sword.
5. The primary source of knowledge in Western philosophy is faith.

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 Let’s Assess!
A Portrait of Yourself
A. Sentence Completion Test:
• The best thing(s) I ever did was (were)

• I wish I could lose my fear of

• I know I have the talent to

• I enjoy people who

• I admire

• I feel most productive when

• I am motivated by

• I almost never

• My idea of fun is

• Work is exciting when

• The best advice I ever got was

• The thing I value most is

• If money were no object, I would

• It is easy for me to focus on

13 | P a g e U n d e r s t a n d i n g t h e S e l f : W e e k 1 - 9
• My idea of a perfect life is

• My best days are

• My dream is

• I always wanted to

• I look forward to

• I spent too much time

• The thing my friends like about me is

• When I try to change something

• In a group I like to

• If I ever win a prize it will be for

Let’s Reflect!

The Strengths and weaknesses of the Filipino character have their roots in
Western and Eastern Traditions. Write an introspection essay about your
character as a Filipino, using the following guide questions.

1. What are your Western, Eastern, and a Filipino characteristic that can help
you succeed in life?
2. Are you happy for having this combination?
3. How do you appreciate your uniqueness as Filipino? How do you feel as a
Filipino?

My Reflection

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 .

15 | P a g e U n d e r s t a n d i n g t h e S e l f : W e e k 1 - 9
Your Turn.“What If” - What would you do and why?

• What if you won a million dollars? What would you do with the windfall?

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• What if you could travel to any place in the world? Where would you go, why
would you go there, and who would you invite along?

• What If you were granted three wishes? What would you wish for?

• What if you had the power to give yourself a special ability? What talent or
ability would you give yourself and why?

• What if you had the chance to spend a day with anyone in the world? Who
would you choose and why?

17 | P a g e U n d e r s t a n d i n g t h e S e l f : W e e k 1 - 9
 Q & A List

This section is a place for you to raise your questions and queries that you fell the instructor should
give
attention to. Feel free to ask relevant questions related from the course here. This Q & A
portion helps the review of concepts and essential knowledge.

Do you have any questions for clarification?

Questions/Issues Answers
1.

2.

3.

18 | P a g e U n d e r s t a n d i n g t h e S e l f : W e e k 1 - 9
4.

5.

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