NAVOTAS POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE

Office of the Academic Affairs

Bangus St., Corner Apahap St., NBBS, City of Navotas

Course Title: GE 4
Name of Faculty: Ms. Bernardita S. Solatorio
Module Number: 2 (Unit 1 – Lesson 2)
Lesson Title Topic: Sociological, Anthropological, Psychological & the Western & Eastern Perspective of The Self
Week Number: 4–5

Human persons will not develop as human persons without intervention. This story, which was supposed to be based on
real life, challenges the long-standing notion of human persons being special and being a particular kind of being in the
spectrum of living entities. We may be gifted with intellect and the capacity to rationalize things but at the end of the
day, our growth and development and consequently, our selves are truly products of our interaction with external
reality.

The Tarzan Story is a good example of this topic.

The little boy named TARZAN was left in the middle of the forest. Growing up, he never had an interaction with any
other human being but apes and other animals. Tarzan grew up acting strangely like apes and unlike human persons.
Tarzan became an animal, in effect. His sole interaction with them made him just like one of them.

At the end of this lesson, students should be able to:

1. Discuss the different representations and conceptualizations of the self from various disciplinal perspectives.
2. Explain the relationship between and among the self, society, and culture.
3. Describe and discuss the different ways by which society and culture shape the self.
4. Compare and contrast how the self can be influenced by the different institutions in the society.
5. Examine one’s self against the different views of self that were discussed in the class.
6. Demonstrate critical and reflective thought in analyzing the development of one’s self and identity by
developing a theory of the self

Module, PowerPoint presentation, worksheets, prescribe websites, pen & paper

A. The Self from a Sociological Perspective

The sociological perspective is an approach to understanding human behavior by placing it within its broader social
context. C. Wright Mills referred to the sociological perspective as the intersection of biography (the individual) and
history (social factors that influence the individual). It focuses on how social institutions and interactions influence self-
concept within society.

Sociological theories of the self attempt to explain how social processes such as socialization influence the development
of the self. Socialization is the whole lifetime process by which people learn the values, attitudes, and behaviors that are
appropriate and expected by their culture and community. It is the process of internalizing the norms of society which
influence one’s beliefs, actions and behavior. The process of socialization helps shape a person’s image.

What is the Self?

When it comes to understanding ourselves, social interaction plays a more important role than many of us
realize. According to sociologist Charles Horton Cooley, individuals develop their concept of self by
observing how they are perceived by others, a concept Cooley coined as the “looking-glass self Theory.”
This process, particularly when applied to the digital age, raises questions about the nature of identity,
socialization, and the changing landscape of self.

The looking-glass self describes the process wherein individuals base their sense of self on how they believe others view
them. Using social interaction as a type of “mirror,” people use the judgments they receive from others to measure their
own worth, values, and behavior. According to Self, Symbols, & Society, Cooley’s theory is notable because it suggests
that self-concept is built not in solitude, but rather within social settings. In this way, society and individuals are not
separate, but rather two complementary aspects of the same phenomenon.

Three steps in the formation of the looking glass self:

1. We imagine how we appear to others

2. We imagine how others judge our appearance
3. We develop feelings and responses to these judgements.

We are not influenced by other peoples’ opinion per se but by our own imaginations or perceptions on how others see
us. This means that we are actively engaged in defining our self-image or self-concept using our past experiences to aid
us in interpreting others’ responses.

Our sense of self is largely based on how I believe other people regard us.

Questions like: Does my teacher think I am competent in this activity? Do my parents believe that I am worthy of love?
What do my friends think That I am good at?
 When learners are accepted and valued by others, they tend to feel high self-esteem
 When they are rejected, they tend to feel the opposite
One of the most important sociological approaches to the self was developed by American sociologist George Herbert
Mead. He claims that the self is not there at birth. He presented the self and the mind in terms of a social process. This
means that the self is not based on inherited traits and other biological factors. Rather, the self is developed over time
from social experiences and activities. Other people play a significant role in how we view ourselves, however, Mead
explains that the influence is restricted only to a “significant other” and at certain periods. The significant others are the
people who play important roles in the life of a person such as parents, teachers, friends but their influence takes place
only at a certain period of time. For instance, younger children do not care what other people think of them and are
focused on their world but as they grow up, they get more socialized and learned to act on what society expects them.

Mead talks about our personality as the “I” and the “me.”
The “me” is the social self and the “I” is the response to the “me.”
In other words,
-the “I” is the response of an individual to the attitudes of others, while the “me” is the organized set of
attitudes of others which an individual assumes.
-The “me” is the accumulated understanding of the “generalized other,” i.e. how one thinks one’s group
perceives oneself.
-The “I” is the individual’s impulses. The “I” is self as subject; the “me” is self as object.
-The “I” is the knower, the “me” is the known.
The mind, or stream of thought, is the self-reflective movements of the interaction between the “I” and the “me. ”
These dynamics go beyond selfhood in a narrow sense, and form the basis of a theory of human cognition.
For Mead the thinking process is the internalized dialogue between the “I” and the “me.”
Understood as a combination of the “I” and the “me,” Mead’s self proves to be noticeably entwined within a sociological
existence. For Mead, existence in a community comes before individual consciousness. First one must participate in the
different social positions within society and only subsequently can one use that experience to take the perspective of
others and become self-conscious.
 Are you a predominantly “I” or a “Me” person?

Phases of self development:

1. Language – children tend to imitate the language used by people around them – preparatory stage
2. Play – role playing/pretend play – a child is able to internalize the view of others
3. Game – allows the child to understand the rules of the games which leads to the development

The full development of the self is attained when the “I” and the “Me” are united.
The “I” and “Me” makes you who you are.
Agents of Socialization Process in Self development:
1. Family
2. Mass Media
3. Peer group
4. Religion
5. Sports
6. School

In modern societies, the attainment and stability of the self identity is freely chosen. It is no longer restricted by customs
and traditions (Garry Lanuza).

In postmodern societies, self-identity continuously changes due to the demands of multitude of social contexts, new
information, technologies and globalization.

Is the Philippines postmodern?????

Self as a product of postmodernism:

 These freedom and changes offer opportunities for self-cultivation but problems may also arise (e.g., alienation
and dehumanization)
For instance, it limits the face to face, close relationships with others especially among family members.
Postmodern Self:
 According to Jean Baudrillard, individuals achieve self-identity through prestige symbols that they consume.
 The cultural practices of advertising and mass media greatly influence individuals to consume goods not for their
primary value and utility but to give them a feeling of goodness and power when compared with other

•Social Constructionist Perspective

–concerned about understanding the vibrant relationship between the self and external reality
–merged view of “the person” and “their social context” where the boundaries of one cannot easily be separated from
the boundaries of the other
–the self should not be seen as a static entity that stays constant through and through
–the self has to be seen as something that is in unceasing flux, in a constant struggle with external reality and is
malleable in its dealings with society
–the self is always in participation with social life and its identity subjected to influences here & there.
Example:
Consider a boy named Jon. Jon is a math professor at a Catholic university for more than a decade now. Jon has a
beautiful wife whom he met in college, Joan. Joan was Jon’s first and last girlfriend. Apart from being a husband, Jon is
also blessed with two doting kids, a son and a daughter. He also sometimes serves in the church too as a lector and a
commentator. As a man of different roles, one can expect Jon to change and adjust his behaviors, ways, and even
language depending on his social situation. When Jon is in the university, he conducts himself in a matter that befits his
title as a professor. As a husband, Jon can be intimate and touchy. Joan considers him sweet, something that his
students will never conceive him to be. His kids fear him. As a father, Jon can be stern. As a lector and commentator, on
the other hand, his church mates knew him as a guy who is calm, all-smiles, and always ready to lend a helping hand to
anyone in need.

 We ourselves play different roles, act in different ways depending on our circumstances. Are we conscious of
our shifting selves? The self is capable of changing and fitting itself into any circumstances it finds itself in.
 B. The Self and Culture: ANTHROPOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE
An Anthropological Perspective considers the genetic and cultural origins of self, the role that self plays in socialization
and language, and the types of selves we generate in our individual journeys to and through adulthood. The self of
which we are aware is not something innate within us, it is a model of our self-produced as a response to the models
offered to us by others. Quinn refers to the self as the totality of what an organism is physically, biologically,
psychologically, socially and culturally. The physical characteristics of people affect their culture, there way of life and
vice versa. Example:

 because we have two legs and two feet we walk upright. We don’t crawl or move like the quadrupedal.
 The tattoos of the Kalinga’s of Cordillera on their body is influenced by their culture.

Anthropology

 The study of human societies and cultures and their development

 it is concerned with how cultural and biological processes interact to shape human experience.
 the hallmark of anthropology is their concern with human universals as well as human variety.

Culture is a concept that encompasses the social behavior, institutions, and norms found in human societies, as well as
the knowledge, beliefs, arts, laws, customs, capabilities, and habits of the individuals in these groups. Culture is often
originated from or attributed to a specific region or location.

Understanding the Self from anthropological point of view necessarily includes a study of culture. Culture is the set of
unwritten norms of conduct that guide the behavior of a group. It is integrated system of learned patterns of behavior,
ideas and products characteristic of a society. A person’s culture influences his/her physical being. Thus, people mold
their bodies to fit their taste and build/make their culture fit to their physical being.
Culture has such a greater influence on an individual’s life contributing majorly to the self-concept of an individual. The
influence might either be negative or positive depending on the type of culture that one has been brought up in. It is
important that individual’s study and appreciate their culture and its contribution in shaping their individual
personalities.

Two Anthropological Perspectives of the Self:

Egocentric and Sociocentric views of self

Sociocentric View: focuses on one’s social group; socially oriented; other –centered
ex. Japanese – membership of a particular social group defines the boundaries of the self
Chinese – prioritize kin ties, cooperation and put importance to compliance and subordination of one’s will
to the authority figures in the family.
Self-identification may be attained by:
- kinship family membership gender age language religion ethnicity
personal appearance socioeconomic status
Changes in one’s identity usually involve rites of passage that prepares individuals for new from one stage of life to
another.
Three-paced rite of passage:
1. separation – detaching from their former identity to another – ex. Giving away of the bride
2. liminality/transition – transition from one identity to another – ex. From singlehood to married life
3. incorporation – the change in one’s status – ex. Change towards husband and wife and join the family

Egocentric View: focuses on individual self; self-centered ex. Americans

Sociologists describe two interrelated aspects of human culture:
 Material culture refers to the physical objects, resources, and spaces that people use to define their culture.
These include homes, neighborhoods, cities, schools, churches, synagogues, temples, mosques, offices, factories
and plants, tools, means of production, goods and products, stores, and so forth. All of these physical aspects of
culture help to define its members' behaviors and perceptions.
 Non‐material culture refers to the nonphysical ideas that people have about their culture, including beliefs,
values, rules, norms, morals, language, organizations, and institutions. Four of the most important of these are
symbols, language, values, and norms.

What about the Filipinos?

What about the Filipinos, are we egocentric or sociocentric?
What do you think of some Filipinos who are like this?
What are the consequences if you deviate from the culture that you are living in?

Self as Embedded in Culture

Remaining the same person and turning chameleon by adapting to one’s context seems paradoxical (untrue). However,
the French Anthropologist Marcel Mauss has an explanation for this phenomenon.

Every self has two faces: Moi and Personne

 Moi –a person’s sense of who he is, his body and his basic identity, his biological givenness
–a person’s basic identity

 Personne –composed of the social concepts of what it means to be who he is

–has much to do with what it means to live in a particular institution, a particular family, a particular
religion, a particular nationality, and how to behave given expectations and influences from others.

In the story, Jon might have a “moi” but certainly, he has to shift “personne” from time to time to adapt to his social
situation. He knows who he is and more or less, he is confident that he has a unified, coherent self. However, at some
point, he has to sport his stern professional look. Another day, he has to be doting but strict father that he is. Inside his
bedroom, he can play goofy with his wife, Joan. In all this and more, Jon retains who he is, his being Jon –his moi–that
part of him that is stable and static all throughout.

This dynamics and capacity for different personne can be illustrated better cross-culturally.
 An overseas Filipino worker (OFW) adjusting to life in another country is a very good case study.
 In the Philippines, many people unabashedly violate jaywalking rules. In another country, however, the Filipino
recognizes that he is in a foreign territory where nothing technically belongs to him. He has to follow the rules
or else he will be apprehended.
 When the same Filipino visits another country with strict traffic rules, say Singapore, you will notice how
suddenly law-abiding the said Filipino becomes. A lot of Filipinos have anecdotally confirmed this observation.
 The same malleability can be seen in how some men easily transform into sweet, docile guys when trying to woe
and court a particular woman and suddenly just change rapidly after hearing a sweet “yes”. The self simply
changed according to the circumstances and contexts.
 In the Philippines, Filipinos tend to consider their territory as a part of who they are. This includes considering
their immediate surrounding as a part of them, thus the perennial “tapat ko, linis ko”

Self-concept refers to all understanding and knowledge of oneself. The components of self-concepts include:
psychological, physical and social attitudes, ideas and beliefs that one has. The most influence in terms of self-concept is
family’s history, basically referring to the culture one has been brought up in, and the experiences he or she has
undergone.
Self in culture
- Shared, symbolic, natural, learned, Integrated, Encompassing. Adaptive and maladaptive (rigid and inflexible)
- Culture has a great influence on the individual’s self-concept (negative or positive)
- Individuals must study and appreciate their culture and its contribution in shaping their individual personalities
Aspects of Human Culture:
1. Material Culture – refers to the physical objects, resources, and spaces that people use to define their culture.
2. Non-material Culture – refers to the nonphysical ideas that people have about their culture

Cultural Relativism, Ethnocentrism and Xenocentrism

Cultural Relativism is the idea that a person’s beliefs, values, and practices should be understood based on that person’s
own culture, rather than be judged against the criteria of another. What is considered moral in one society may be
considered immoral in another. There is no universal standard of morality so no one has the right to judge customs of
another.

Ethnocentrism is the belief that one’s culture is superior to that of others.

Xenocentrism is the thinking that others’ culture is superior to one’s culture.

Never judge others’ culture based on one’s own culture but rather see other’s cultural practice and belief in the
light of their culture.

The Self from Psychological Perspective

In psychology, the sense of self is described as

 the way a person thinks about and views his or her traits, beliefs, and purpose within the world.
 In constant change as one grows up
 A multilevel system not simply reducible to genes or neurons that emerges from multifaceted interactions of
mechanisms operating at neural, psychological and social levels.
Psychology is the study of mind and behavior. Its subject matter includes the behavior of humans and nonhumans, both
conscious and unconscious phenomena, and mental processes such as thoughts, feelings, and motives.

SELF, IDENTITY AND PERSONALITY

It is the development of self-understanding particularly in adolescence. Theories about the self give way for the
identification of which characteristics are related to each other.

Seven Psychologists:

1) Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) – The Importance of the Unconscious

The human mind/psyche is divided into:

1. Id – the completely unconscious, impulsive, child-like portion of the psyche that operates on the pleasure
principle and is the source of basic impulses and drives. It seeks immediate pleasure and gratification.
2. Ego – acts on the “reality” principle. The sole region of the mind that is in contact with the external world. It is
the decision-making or executive branch of the self. It constantly tries to reconcile the blind, irrational claims of
the id and super ego with the realistic demands of the external world.
3. Super ego – represents the moral and ideal aspects of personality. It aims for perfection acts on moralistic and
idealistic principles. It has no contact with the outside world and therefore is unrealistic in its demands for
perfection.

Freud claimed that “The ego is not master in its own house.”

THREE LEVELS OF AWARENESS

1. CONSCIOUS: The conscious consists of whatever one is aware of at a particular point in time.
example, the current train of thought in this text and a dim awareness in the back of your mind that your eyes
are getting tired and you’re beginning to get hungry.
2. PRECONSCIOUS: The preconscious contains material just beneath the surface of awareness that can be easily
retrieved.
Examples might include your middle name, what you had for supper last night, or an argument you had with a
friend yesterday.
3. UNCONSCIOUS: The unconscious contains thoughts, memories, and desires that are well below the surface of
conscious awareness but that nonetheless exert great influence on one’s behavior. Material that might be found
in your unconscious would include a forgotten trauma from childhood or hidden feelings of hostility toward a
parent.

Defense Mechanisms are unconscious protective behaviors that work to reduce anxiety.
-is a tactic developed by the ego to protect against anxiety.
-are thought to safeguard the mind against feelings and thoughts that are too difficult for the conscious mind to
cope with.

2.) William James (1842-1910)

James Theory of the Self: The Self Concept - The self is the totality of all that a person can call his or hers.

Divides the self into “I” and “Me”

The "I" self – refers to self that knows who he or she is which is also called the Thinking self.
- Reflects the soul of a person or the mind which is also called the Pure Ego
The "Me" self - The empirical self which refers to the person’s experience

Self-as-subject self-as-object
Does the thinking the material self, social and spiritual self
Knows who he is and what he has done in his life referred to when describing his personal
Experiences
is the one who knows how something feels is that feeling itself

Example: I know I am hurt when I am cheated; I (i.e., ‘Me’ or my social self) get hurt because I have learned (from
society) that when cheated, one must feel hurt. Thus - ‘I’ is the self as subject; ‘Me’ is the self as object.
 William James “SELF” is an object that can be observed and a subject that does the observing.
SUB-CATEGORIES:

 Material Self - is attributed to an individual's physical attributes and material possessions that contribute to
one's self-image.
-The core is the body and associated with it are clothes, family, home and material possessions.
 When someone in the family dies, a part of one’s self is gone, too.
 One’s memory of home awakens in any one the tenderness feeling of affection or
aversion.
 Oneself is changed when the hard-earned wealth/money or property is gone.
 Social Self - refers to who a person is and how he or she acts in social situations.
-It is how one presents himself/herself in public.
-acts differently in different situations and has an innate desire to get himself/herself noticed
favorably by others.
-may be contradictory, depending how other persons view you. Their concept of you(social self)
not your image of yourself.

William James asserts that losing one’s nature as a being-for-others can be more of a condemnation than any
Imprisonment.

 Spiritual Self - refers to the most intimate and important part of the self that includes the person's purpose,
core values, conscience and moral behavior.
Example: A layman can leave a place infected by corona virus; but a priest, a mayor or doctor
would think that an act is incompatible with his honor and would stay to serve the
people.
-is a person’s subjective and most intimate self; who a person is at its core.
-it is more permanent.
-dwells on introspection and asks spiritual, moral, or intellectual questions.
He asserts that achieving a high level of understanding of our spiritual selves is more rewarding than satisfying
the needs of the social and material selves.

3) David Lister – Multiple vs. Unified Self

 The construction of multiple selves varies across different roles and relationships
 Coping with different selves constitutes a formidable task among adolescents.
 These challenges contribute heavily to the young person’s struggle for a unified self

4) Donald Winnicott – True vs. False Self

 The function of the true self is to hide and protect the true self.
 People tend to display a false self to impress others.
5) CARL ROGERS – Self Theory

Two categories of Self:

 Real/True Self - is what you really are. Based on actual experiences

-how we really see ourselves
 Ideal Self - is the person you would like to be.
-how we would like to see ourselves

Carl Rogers:
 Believed in the inherent goodness of people
 Emphasized the importance of free will and psychological growth
 Suggested that the actualizing tendency is the driving force behind human behavior
 Believed that human beings are always striving for self-fulfillment or self-actualization
 Believed that the needs of the self are denied severe anxiety may result.

Self Concept – refers to the image of oneself

- Defined the self as a flexible and changing perception of personal identity
- Self develops from interaction with significant people and self-awareness

In Roger’s view, the closer the ideal self to the real/true self, the more fulfilled an refers to the most intimate and
important part of the self that includes the person's purpose, core values, conscience and moral behavior, the happy the
individual becomes. When the ideal self is far from the real/true self, the person becomes unhappy and dissatisfied.

6) Abert Bandura – Self as Proactive and Agentic

 Humans are producers of their life circumstance not just products of them.
 Views people as agents (originators) of experience not just reactive
 Suggest that human have the ability to act and make things happen
  Emphasized the importance of social learning or learning through observation.
 Emphasized the role conscious thoughts including self efficacy or our own beliefs in our abilities.

7) Carl Jung – Self as the Central Archetype

Archetypes are innate universal pre-conscious psychic dispositions, allowing humans to react in a human manner as they
form the substrate from which the basic themes of human life emerge. The archetypes are components of the collective
unconscious and serve to organize, direct and inform human thought and behavior.
Four major Jungian Archetypes:
1) The self
2) The Persona
3) The Shadow
4) The Anima/Animus

The Self in Western and Oriental Thought:

The idea of the separation of body and mind has been ingrained in the Western thought. Western philosophers give
more attention to dualism between the body and soul. For the Westerner, a human being has an individualistic nature
and is an independent part of the universe and the society. Individualism is a strong feature of Western culture.
Westerners take pride in having their own distinct identities. They embrace autonomy and like to think for themselves.

For the Oriental, the human person lives as Shenti, not just a body or a mind but both body and mind. The Chinese
believes that everything is a combination of the yin and yang. Chinese philosophy subscribes to the belief that a
human person is composed of body, soul and spirit. It is clear that the Oriental concept of a human person is one
integrated whole. He/she is also one with society and the universe. Everything that happens to the universe affects man
and everything that man does affect the universe. Persons are fundamentally connected and collectivism is strong.

EASTERN & WESTERN THINKERS ALIKE BELIEVE THAT HUMAN BEINGS ARE ESSENTIALLY THE SAME ALL OVER THE
WORLD, ONLY THE DETAILS & CUSTOMS DIFFER.
We, Filipinos, have been Westernized and associates the body with the physical, anatomical body, separate from the
mind, its spiritual or psycho-emotional aspect.
 Lets’ Check!

Follow up Questions:

1. In everyday life, a complete fusion on the “I” and the “Me” of Mead may not be a good thing. Do you agree?
Why or why not?
2. We are influenced by our ow imaginations or perceptions or opinions on how others see us. This means that we
are actively engaged in defining our self-image or self-concept using our past experiences to aid us in
interpreting others responses. How can you help others develop positive self-image or positive self-concept?
3. Based on Cooley’s looking-glass self theory, it is how we perceive others see us that influence our self-concept.
What should be done to ensure that your self-perception is really how others perceive you? Will communicating
more with others help? Elaborate your answer.
4. Cite some implications of the concepts learned about sociological self to personal development.
5. What is your dominant behavior with your sociocentric self? Egocentric self?
 6. Kung-fu-tsu once said: All men are pretty much alike: it is by culture that they are apart. Do you agree? Why or
why not?
7. The clothes you wear is one way to express who you are. Do you agree? Support your answer.
8. Is having a different social self to different groups not tantamount to developing split personality or
inconsistency? Why?
9. Filipino words kagandahang loob, utang na loob, sakit ng loob speak of the unity of body and spirit. List down
other words in the mother tongue that imply unity of body and spirit.
10. What is sustainable development? Is this easier done with the oriental thinking? Explain your thought on this.
11. Two sides of the Same Planet. Write top five differences between Western and Eastern Society, culture and
individuals.

SELF HELP: Refer to the sources below:

1. Macayan, J.V., Pinagu, J.N., Castillo, J.C. D. (2018) Understanding the Self: Outcome-Based Module Courseware.
Q.C.: C. E. Publishing Inc.
2. Copuz, B. B., Lucas, M. R. D., Andas, C. D., Dayagbil, F. T., Gacasan, E. M. P. (2020) Understanding the Self: OBE-
Based: Lorimar Publishing Inc.
3. https://lesley.edu/article/perception-is-reality-the-looking-glass-self
4. https://www.sociologyguide.com/george-herbert-mead/me-i.php
5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAUELNMI640&t=1919s
6. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3tZ-VAOnPU
7. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXTrMNSk91w
8. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7sldVziVss
9. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukSScFhVrBM
10. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5o7zwKhkl0