WEEK 6: PHYSICAL SELF

THE PHYSICAL SELF: BODY IMAGE AND SELF ESTEEM

Understanding the self of in different classification of physical aspects is one way to

discover a person’s real self.

The concept of Physical Self

● The understanding of the Physical self is shaped by biological and environmental factors.

● The Biological blueprint involves Heredity and its important factors. 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. Genotype refers to the specific information embedded within one’s genes; not all
genotypes translate to an observed physical characteristic. Phenotype is the physical expression of a
particular trait. Each individual carries 23 pairs of chromosomes, which are threadlike bodies in the
nucleus of the cell and the storage unit of genes. The 23rd pair, also known as sex
chromosomes, determines the sex of an individual. Within each chromosome is the deoxyribonucleic
acid (DNA), which is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions specifying the biological
development of every individual.

● Maturation is known as the completion of growth of a genetic character within an organism or the
unfolding of an individual’s inherent traits or potential.

● As you grow up, you are exposed to environmental influences that shape your physical self, including
those from your social networks, societal expectations, and cultural practices that will lead a person to
understand themselves.

● According to Santrock (2014), self-understanding is the individual’s cognitive representation of self

which consists of substance and the content of self-conceptions. Self-understanding can be described as
simple to perplex and involve a number of aspects of the self. It also changes throughout the life span
as the person grows older.

● As children advance in age, their interests change and with these come changes in their bodies. The
changes are rapid and before parents notice it, they are no longer babies but teenagers. An obvious change
in teenagers are the changes in Physical Self. The Physical Self refers to the concrete dimensions of the
body, it is the tangible aspect of the person which can be directly observed and examined.

● Physical Characteristics are the defining traits or features of a person’s body. This is also the first thing
people see when they look at another person that could include facial features, hairstyle, clothes, or
figure. They encompass everything that one can describe about a person or group of people, by just
looking.

● Erik Erikson believed in the importance of the body from early development because the physical as
well as intellectual skills will somehow serve as a basis to whether a person has achieved a sense of

GED 101 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

 competence and be able to manage and face the demands of life complexities. William James, on the
other hand, considered the body as the initial source of sensation and necessary for origin and
maintenance of personality.

● A period of rapid physical changes is in Puberty. According to Santrock (2016), puberty is not the same
as adolescence because puberty ends prior to the end of the adolescent period. But the recognized puberty
as the most essential marker of the beginning of adolescence. The changes experienced during puberty
are different from girls and boys. Girls reach puberty earlier than boys and experience menarche which
is her first menstrual flow. Boys, two or three years later, experience spermarche or semenarche which
is his first ejaculation or nocturnal emission (wet dreams).

● Puberty is a brain neuroendocrine process occurring primarily in early adolescence that triggers the rapid
physical changes. The Pituitary gland is the master endocrine gland that controls growth and regulates
functions of all the other endocrine glands including gonads. The chemical substances secreted by the
gonads promotes physical changes such as height, widening of the hips and increase in fatty tissues in
the breast of girls and responsible for boy’s growth of facial and body hair, muscles, and changes in
voice.

The self as impacted by the body

● Different levels of connectedness characterize the relationship between self and body. These
connectedness may be in a positive or negative ways, or in helpful or destructive ways.
Nevertheless, it is between individuals as well as across situations. The potential of the physical
body to be regarded as an object introduces the possibility of trait and state body as well as the state
of the self.

● Perspectives in Understanding Physical Self:

1. Psychodynamic Perspective
Freud’s theory of the ego was primarily known as body ego, that solidifies the importance
of body in understanding the self. The body and its evolving mental representations form the
basis of a sense of self (Krueger, 2002). The development of a body self mainly has three
stages: early psychic experience of the body in which sensations like tactile like in infants
enable babies to discriminate bodies from their surroundings, which contribute to the sense of
self. Next is defining body surface boundaries which is the stage of being awareness of body
image in contrast to surface boundaries. Last stage is the distinguishing of the body’s internal
states which is the stage of having cohesion of the body. In these images and experiences of
the body and the body, surfaces can be organized into holistic understanding of the body.

Theory suggests that Physical body both has objective and subjective components.
Individual’s conception and acknowledgment of their physical bodies substantiate their
assessment of the sense of totality which is an integral to his/her experience of the physical
world. Moreover, one’s experience of one’s physical body may be a key predictor of a variety
of behaviors.

2. Cognitive-Behavioral Perspective
Focuses on perceptual, cognitive, and affective aspects which is a multidimensional
experience that can aid a more precise understanding of the body . The cognitive-behavioral
perspective makes multiple distinctions to facilitate precise conceptual and operational
definitions of body-image related variables.

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 The cognitive behavioral model of body image recognizes multiple determinants of
body image with a distinction between those determinants that are historical versus those
determinants that are proximal or concurrent that predispose or influence how people come to
think, feel, and act in relation to their body.

3. Feminist Perspective
Relies on the social construction in which there is a possibility of individuals to
experience their bodies in distorted ways (especially, women). women’s dissatisfaction with
their bodies as a systematic social phenomenon rather than a result of individual pathology
(McKinley, 2002).

Specifically, the duality established between the mind and body in Western societies
and the pairing of men with the “mind” and women with the “body” contribute to women
experiencing their bodies differently than men.

● Factors that affect perception of the Physical Self:

1. Personal Factors
a. Introspection and Self-reflection. Looking inward is one of the simplest
ways to achieve self-knowledge. According to Hewstone, et al., (2015)
Introspection is the process is the process by which one observes and
examines one’s internal state (mental and emotional) after behaving in a
certain way.

b. Self-Perception Theory. As stated by Hewstone and Bem (2015) Self-

perception theory explains that since one’s internal state is difficult to
interpret, people can infer their inner states by observing their own
behavior – as if they are an outside observer. Physical perception includes
all aspects of a person’s perception of his physical self.

c. Self-concept. According to Hewstone, et al., (2015), self-concept is a

cognitive representation of self-knowledge which includes the sum total
of all beliefs that people have about themselves. It is a collection of all
individual experience involving one’s characteristics, social roles, values,
goals and fears. Physical concept is the individual’s perception or
description of his physical self, including his physical appearance.

d. Personal Identity. This is the concept a person has about himself that
develops over the years. This includes aspects of his life that he was born
into like family, nationality, gender, physical traits as well as the choices
he makes, such as what he does for living, who his friends are and what he
believes in.

2. Social Factors
a. Attachment Process and Social Appraisal. According to Bowlby (1969),
people learn about their value and lovability when they experience how
their mothers or caregivers care for them and respond to their needs.

GED 101 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

 b. Maintaining, Regulating and expanding the self in interpersonal
relationships .

c. The Looking-glass Self Theory. Charles Horton Cooley stated that a

person’s self grows out of society’s interpersonal interactions and the
perception of others. The view of oneself comes from a compilation of
personal qualities and impressions of how others perceive the individual.
Therefore, in a looking-glass self, the self-image is shaped and reflected
from the social world. Other people’s reactions would serve as a mirror
in which people see themselves particularly the way in which they are
perceived and judged by others.

d. Social Comparison. The work of Leon Festinger in 1954 introduced

another way of understanding oneself by comparing one’s traits, abilities,
or opinions to that of others. Social Comparison is a process of comparing
oneself with others in order to evaluate one’s own abilities and opinions.
There are two types of social comparison:
● Upward social comparison happens when an individual compares
themselves to others who are better than them.
● Downward social comparison happens when an individual
compares themselves to someone who is in a worse situation than
they are in especially when they are feeling low.

e. Social Identity Theory (Collective Identity). This was formulated by tajfel

and Turner 1973 which provides a framework about how people achieve
understanding about themselves by being a member of their group. This
idea assumes that as a member of the group they will not be discriminated
against by an out-group. It will enhance their self-esteem because they
feel secured with the shield of group membership where they belong.
Social groups include gender, ethnicity, religion, profession, political
membership and business organizations.

References:

Arcega, A M., Cullar, D. S., Evangelista, L. D. & Falculan, L. M. (2018). Understanding the Self. Malabon
City: Mutya Publishing House Inc.

Gazzingan, L. B. et al. (2019). Understanding the Self. Muntinlupa City: Panday-Lahi Publishing House,
Inc.

Hewstone, et.al. (2015). An Introduction to Social Psychology. UK: British Psychological Society and John
Wiley and Sons Ltd.

Krueger, D.W. 2002 Integrating body self and psychological self: Creating a new story in psychoanalysis
and psychotherapy. Accessed date: July 24, 2020. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2003-06051-000

GED 101 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

McKinley, N. M. (2012). Continuity and change in self-objectification: Taking a life-span approach to
women’s experiences of objectified body consciousness. Accessed date: July 24, 2020.
https://doi.org/10.1037/12304-005

Santrock, J (2014) Adolescence. New York, USA: McGraw Hill International edition

Santrock, M (2016) Essentials of Life Span Development 4th ed. New York, USA: McGraw Hill
International Edition

ACTIVITY # 6: MY BODY, MY LIFE (20 points)

This section aims to assess your understanding of some of the topics covered in Week
6 through the activity below.

A. Reflect on the presented article “The Physical Self” in Week 6, answer the question. Express your
thoughts in 5-10 sentences.
QUESTION:

1. On what perspective of Understanding the Physical Self do you think is most

influential to your life? Give concrete examples .

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2. Which of factors that affect perception of the Physical Self would you say is mostly
used by teenagers in your age nowadays?

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Write your answers in a clean sheet of paper. Take a photo and turn it in using Google Classroom (GED
101Class) GED 101 group chat via FB messenger.

GED 101 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

 END OF WEEK 6

Well done on finishing Week 6!

WHAT COULD YOU LEARN NEXT?

Week 7: PHYSICAL SELF” The impact of culture on body image and self-esteem

GED 101 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF