Learning Module for College A.Y.

2021-2022 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

1 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF
1st Semester of Academic Year 2021-2022
Module 5-Week 7

(Continuation of Chapter 2)

OBJECTIVES
Students must be able to:
a. Articulate what culture means to the self as a part of the society.
b. Analyze the anthropological and sociological constructs of the self.
c. Attribute self-understanding and behaviour to cultural factors.
d. Recognize and appreciate differences in cultural behaviors of the self, particularly from the Western and Asian contexts.
e. Explain how the modern world has changed our view of the self.
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THE SELF AS A PRODUCT OF THE MODERN WORLD

A significant part of what should be understood about culture is that it very much dynamic. Since the self has to keep up with
the ever-changing world, he needs to adjust, re-adjust, and re-align his actions with the seismic transformation and evolution of
the society.

The values of a society changes overtime, and if in case, they do not, the society is trapped in the challenges of the modern
world. The self then, as a social construct, becomes a product of the modern society among other constructions.

The fast-paced world has made it more difficult to decipher the self, since the sources of our identities are no longer stable
and secure (Burkitt, 2008). The very foundation of our society is questioned to such extent that man tends to veer away from
what the society has always been about. Globalization, as a product of the modern world, has then affected the way we view the
self.

The internet age brought an understanding of the self, as a part of the global world, and not just of the micro-society. With
this, the values, beliefs and traditions that the self holds dear, are met with challenges, criticism, as its authenticity is likewise
questioned. The transformation of the social world resulted further in the fragmentation of the self, as our cultural values become
fragmented as well.

Gergen (as cited in Burkitt, 2008), believes that ‘technologies of social saturation’ has become vital in the transformation of
the social world, ultimately giving a make-over of the social self. It has to a certain extent, questioned, as espoused by Gergen,
our ways of being, and whether it be of good value or not, has led us to question the self’s authenticity.

The diversity and variations of these digital technologies in particular forced us to confront the vast array of our cultural
traditions, challenging our own belief systems and values, and exposing the strengths and weaknesses of our own worldviews.

Technology has allowed us to do things unimaginable before. Yesterday’s handful of options are fast becoming obsolete and
choices that man makes at the moment integrates the cultural traditions of the post-modern world. Culture has been presented as
global in perspective, as today’s generation does not identify itself with their societal culture but recognizes the unprecedented
influence of the global culture.

THE SELF (ie) GENERATION AS CULTURE CREATORS

The effect of culture in today’s younger generation must be highlighted since the Generation Z, also known as the self(ie)
generation, is not considered as a passive user of culture. In fact, they have become culture creators, who practically live their
lives and present themselves in the virtual world.

Generation Z is composed of those born between 1995 and 2010 (Patel, 2017). In the Philippine context, individuals who are
included in this generation are practically in their senior high school, or probably in their college years at present, while many
of them can considered the youngest in today’s workforce.

In Jose Villa’s research (2016), entitled Cross-cultural Gen Z, he found out that a majority of Gen Z will define their
cultural identity in basically diverse means, an exact opposite from the generations who came before them. The same
research showed that this generation has embraced and balanced multiple cultures that they are moving their cultural identity
beyond simple definitions of race and ethnicity.

Prepared by: VANESA D. MANZON

Learning Module for College A.Y. 2021-2022 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF
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The infographic shows how today’s generation is able to create a new cultural currency that values uniqueness, authenticity,
creativity, shareability and recognition (Morrison, 2015).

Hence, the generation’s relationship with culture has drastically changed. They are not just consumers of culture anymore, but
are considered culture creators, changers, and collaborators. Their self-presentation revolves around the virtual world, including
their identity and self-construal.
THE SELF AS REFLECTED IN THE COLLECTIVIST TEACHINGS OF CONFUCIUS

China has been known to be very strict in its implementation of its rules about social relationships. This is so since it adheres
to the teachings of Confucius, whom it considers as the Supreme Sage and the founding father of Chinese civilization (Schuman,
2015). The influence of Confucius’ teachings and philosophies have been infused particularly in East Asian countries like Japan,
and South Korea, and with those who follow the teachings of Confucius.

At the heart of Confucianism is a system of social and ethical philosophy rather than a religion, built on an ancient religious
foundation to establish the social values, institutions, and transcendent ideals of traditional Chinese society (Berling, 1996). The
teachings of Confucianism are the very fabric of social relationships in China, reflecting collectivism to its core.

The self, as understood in the teachings of Confucius, entails the participation of other members in the society. This is
because the symbiosis of selfhood and otherness is the Confucian concept of the self as a dynamic process of spiritual
development (Tu, 1985). This invokes the reality that more than a religion, Confucianism is a social philosophy, delineating the
very core of human relationships, with the end goal of spiritual growth.

According to Confucius, as we ritualize and perfect human relationships, we in turn develop spiritually. This self-
cultivation involves a dynamic process in the spirit of filiality, brotherhood, friendship, discipleship, and loyalty (Tu, 1985).

“The self as a social construct integrates man as a member and a product of society. Thus, the self is embedded in
the culture which he himself created, and is able to generate, alter, and restore for his own purpose. It is foremost
significance that the social behavior of the self is, at least from the anthropological and sociological disciplines, greatly
influenced by the person’s cultural background, whether the individual is coming from an individualistic or collectivist
society. Hence, culture is an indispensable part of the self. As Geertz (1973) explained, “Culture is not just an ornament of
human existence but-the principal basis of its specificity-an essential condition for it.”
Prepared by: VANESA D. MANZON
Reference:
Introspection: Understanding the Self (Erland De Vera Palean……et.al.,)

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NAME: SUBJECT:
Learning Module for College A.Y. 2021-2022 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF
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COURSE/YEAR: SUBJECT TEACHER:

Quiz 2: (Use this page for your answers or you can create one)
Directions: Social institutions have their own cultural contexts. The communal group derives their behavior from the norms set
forth in their society. Explain how the following social institutions influenced your view of yourself. Attach a picture of each.

1. FAMILY

PICTURE HERE

2. SCHOOL

PICTURE HERE

3. CHURCH (RELIGION)

PICTURE HERE

Prepared by: VANESA D. MANZON

Learning Module for College A.Y. 2021-2022 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF
4. PEER GROUP
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EXPLANATION (10 Points each)

 ORIGINALITY-5
 CREATIVITY-5

ATTACHED ALL PICTURES (additional 10 points)

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TOTAL POINTS: 50

Prepared by: VANESA D. MANZON

Learning Module for College A.Y. 2021-2022 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF
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Prepared by: VANESA D. MANZON