17 Module 2 - Unpacking the Self: The Many Sides of Me

Module 2
Lesson 4- Material Self
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
In this lesson, you will be able to:
1. differentiate needs from wants;
2. develop understanding about the material self;
3. discuss the influence of media in people’s acquisition of material possessions;
4. learn qualities of a wise buyer
5. compare the value of saving over spending; and
6. assess one’s material self.

PRE-ASSESSMENT
Instruction: Define the following terms in your own words/understanding.

1. Materialism

2. Consumerism

3. Possessions

4. Materialistic Person

5. Compulsive Buying Disorder (CBD)

6. Wants

7. Needs

8. Expenses

9. Overspending

10. Social Status

17 Module 2 - Unpacking the Self: The Many Sides of Me

LESSON MAP

MATERIAL
SELF

Material
Possessions

NEEDS WANTS

Cars Gadgets House Pets

Things that he or she considers as his/her
possessions

SELF
IDENTITY

Materialism/Materialistic Balanced View of Money/

Person/Consumerism Material Possessions

Compulsive Buying
Contentment, Happiness,
Disorder, Anxiety,
Personal Growth
Depression
17 Module 2 - Unpacking the Self: The Many Sides of Me

CORE CONTENT

ENGAGE MANAGING YOUR MONEY

17 Module 2 - Unpacking the Self: The Many Sides of Me

EXPLORE DISCOVERING MY KNOWLEDGE ABOUT MATERIAL SELF

Material Self
A person’s tangible possessions like his or her phone, car, house, clothes, shoes, jewelries, make up
his or her material self. Regardless of how much or how little a person owns materially, he or she will always
strive to acquire more because material possessions are usually what the world depicts as a reflection of a
person’s success of failure. This lesson will tackle the material self, including its components. The motives for
acquiring material possessions are explained, as well as the key roles that media can play in a person’s desire
to acquire material possessions.

The self is everything that an individual considers to be his or hers, not only his or her body and material
possessions but also his or her reputation and beliefs (William James, 1980). The self, therefore, is composed
of the material self, which is the manifestation of one’s identity through his material possessions.

Body- the basic component of the material self; one of the tasks of adolescents is to accept and appreciate the
physical characteristics of their body. Perceptions about what makes a body beautiful are usually influenced
by the media as shown in television and the internet as we have discussed in lesson 1.

Clothes- another component of material self that people wear that represents the self. the style and brand of
clothes become significant symbols, perticularly among adolescents. The clothes they tend to wear are greatly
influenced by their peer groups because adolescents are anxious to conform to what their peer groups find
fashionable and attractive.
Other material components of the self includes:
✓ House
✓ Car
✓ Gadgets
✓ Pets (could also symbolically define a person’s identity, could be an expression of one’s social status,
pride, and prestige, as in owning a dog or cat of a very expensive breed)
✓ Things that he or she considers as his/her possessions
✓ People- an individual has relationships with such as one’s immediate and extended family members as
well as close friends with whom one feels psychologically connected. These people are likely to shape
and influence the development of one’s self and identity.

The Role of Material Possessions on the Sense of Self and Identity

Regardless of how much or how little material possessions people have, they remain valuable because
these possessions are symbolic of one’s social status. Cars, houses, gadgets, and clothes are to some the
most valuable possessions because they are the most visible in the eyes of others. The more expensive they
are, the more other people are impressed. Material possessions can be a reflection of hard work and success
to most people. Normally, people tend to measure success through the amount of their material possessions.
17 Module 2 - Unpacking the Self: The Many Sides of Me

Owning material possessions becomes a driving force in urging individual to seek high level of achievement in
order to be able to acquire more possessions.
People tend to judge others through their material possessions. Thus, the greater the material
possessions, the more likely one will be accepted and regarded well by other people. The important point is
that these components of the material self become asignificant reference to one’s sense of self and identity.
Effects of acquiring material possessions:
1. Can contribute to a feeling of well being including a sense of personal growth and fulfillment to some
people.
2. The desire for material possessions also has negative effects on one’s sense of self and identity.

Materialism- refers to giving more importance to material possessions than intangible values.
Materialistic person- one who is excessively concerned with the acquisition of material possessions.
Compulsive Buying Disorder (CBD)- psychological dysfunction or impairment in functioning which is
characterized by an obsession with shopping and buying behaviors that can cause adverse consequences
(example, debts). This can result from stong desire for material possessions.
People are exposed to images in television, the internet, and magazines that brag about the importance
of material possessions such as branded clothes, mobile phones, cars, and the like. Lack or loss of these
material possessions could lead to anxiety, insecurity, and depression in people who are overly materialistic.
Thus, when a person is about to make a puchase, he or she should ask himself/herself a very important
question: DO I REALLY NEED THIS?

Consumer Culture
Consumer culture- a social system in which consumption is dominated by the consumption of commercial
products (Arnold, 2010). This is focused on the consumption of market-made commodities and desire-inducing
marketing (Arnold & Craig, 2005).
Consumerism- is the consumption of material goods and services in excess of one’s basic needs. It is closely
tied to materialism. Both heavily influence the way individuals view the self.
Effects of consumerism and or materialism to individuals:
1. People tend to be happier for a while and more motivated when their wants and needs are met
2. It encourages people to buy products and services that they DO NOT really need or afford
3. The state of wants tend to be endless, and thus could cause negative effects such as dissatisfaction,
unhappiness and buying behaviors.

How can I manage my money?

Here’s how to take control of your spending before your spending takes control of you.
1. Keep a record. For at least one month, record the amount of money you receive and the date you receive
it. Describe each item you buy and the amount it costs. At the end of the month, add up the amount received
and the amount spent.
17 Module 2 - Unpacking the Self: The Many Sides of Me

2. Make a budget. List all income you expect to receive in a month, list how you plan to spend your money.
As the month progresses, write the amount you actually spend on each of the planned expenses. Also, record
all unplanned spending.
3. Adjust your habits. If you’re spending more than you anticipated on some items and are accumulating
debt, adjust your spending habits. Pay your debts. Stay in control. Money can be a useful servant if it’s used
properly. In fact, in most cultures, making and managing money is an important part of life. But try to keep a
balanced attitude. “Money has its place, but it is not everything,” says a youth named Matthew. “It should never
be put ahead of our family or Jehovah.”

EXPLAIN: SPEND VS. SAVE

17 Module 2 - Unpacking the Self: The Many Sides of Me

TOPIC SUMMARY

Material self is the manifestation of one’s identity through his/her material possessions. One should have
a balance of view of these material things in order to avoid the negative effects of materialism. Truth is material
possessions only give us fleeting happiness because lasting, genuine joy comes from intangible things like
love, loyalty, and our relationship with our Creator. And cliché as it may sound yet it holds so much truth that
the best things in life are free.

REFERENCES

Books:

Go-Monilla, M., Ramirez, N. (2018). Understanding the Self. 839 EDSA, South Triangle, Quezon City: C & E
Publising.
From the Web:
How Can I Manage My Money. Questions Young People Ask- Volume 2, Retrieved from
https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/teenagers/young-people-ask-volume-2/, Retrieved on 15 December
2020.
Young People Ask Worksheets, Managing Your Money Worksheets for Teenagers, Retrieved from
https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/teenagers/worksheets/managing-your-money/, Retrieved on 15
December 2020.