UNDERSTANDING THE SELF THE SELF

3 PARTS OF THE SELF

MODULE 1 | INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE
1) THE SELF FROM VARIOUS PERSPECTIVES
o Seek to understand the construct of the
WHO AM I? self from various disciplinal perspectives
(philosophy, sociology, psychology,
SELF-UNDERSTANDING anthropology), as well as the traditional
o Knowledge or understanding of one’s capabilities, division between the east and the west, to
character, feelings or motivations, actions and answer the question “what is the self?”
reactions
2) UNPACKING THE SELF
SELF-AWARENESS o Explores the various aspects that make up
o Ability to see yourself clearly and objectively the self, such as the physical, biological,
through reflection and introspection sexual, spiritual, social, material, and digital
aspects
SELF-CONCEPT
o The individual’s belief about 3) MANAGING AND CARING FOR THE SELF
himself/herself (Baumeister, 1999) o Application of the concepts to managing
• Self-image – how you see yourself and taking care of oneself
• Self-esteem – the extent to which you
value yourself SELF – CARE
• Ideal self – what you’d like to be for
yourself “The practice of taking action to preserve or improve one’s
own health ... own being, and happiness, in particular
PERSONAL IDENTITY during periods of stress” (Oxford Living Dictionary)
o Questions of our existence
• Who are we? It is about taking proactive steps to enhance resilience and
• Is there life after death? overall well-being (Butler et. al., 2019)
o Values, life experiences, morals, self-norms,
abilities TWO (2) CENTRAL AIMS OF SELF-CARE:

1. To limit negative outcomes

o to guard against, cope with, or reduce
stress & related adverse consequences

2. To promote broad positive outcomes

o to maintain and enhance well-being and
overall functioning
 6 DOMAINS OF SELF CARE
SPIRITUAL DOMAIN
PHYSICAL DOMAIN o Creates space to reflect on our own inner needs
o Involves tending to the needs of the needs of the and our role or place within the world and the
physical body in order to achieve or support universe – how we find hope, purpose and meaning
optimal functioning and avoid deterioration in life

sleep, proper nourishment, exercise & health care faith-based spirituality religious participation, prayer;
secular/non-faith-based spiritual meditation, connecting
with nature
RELATIONAL DOMAIN
o The efforts we make to maintain and enhance our
interpersonal connections to others 6 AREAS OF SELF CARE

social integration, social support, altruism, virtual social

networks, family and friends

PROFESSIONAL DOMAIN
o To manage or prevent work- related stress &
stressors, reduce the risk or mitigate the effects of
burnout and other workplace hazards and
increase work performance and satisfaction

job stress, job engagement, secondary traumatic stress &

compassion satisfaction

EMOTIONAL DOMAIN
o Practices that are engaged in to safeguard against
or address negative emotional experience as well
as those intended to create or enhance positive
emotional experience and well-being

identifying and replacing destructive ways of coping,

reducing negative emotional experience, increasing well-
being and happiness

PSYCHOLOGICAL DOMAIN
o Pursue and satisfy intellectual needs and
purposeful and reflective efforts to understand
and attend to the overall needs of the organism

intellectual pursuits & other enjoyable activities of the

mind, self-awareness mindful reflection on self
 WHAT DOES LITERATURE SAY ABOUT SELF-CARE?
The presence of families and significant others and their
belief in their ability to face challenges by having the
positive mindset and strong faith in God made [them]
resilient and strong, and to rise above difficult situations
(Arnado & Bayod, 2020)
Spirituality allows [them] to find meaning in their
experiences (Bayod, 2020)
Spiritual self-care, as a form of self-care, helps them cope
with problems (Pour et. al., 2020)
Good social relationships among family and friends had a
positive effect on psychological self-care, academic
performance, happiness and self-care behaviors (Auttama,
et. al., 2021)
RESILIENCE
The process of adapting well in the face of adversity,
trauma, tragedy, threats, or significant sources of stress
“Bouncing back” experiences from the difficult
MODULE 2 | THE SELF FROM VARIOUS PERSPECTIVES :
PHILOSOPHY
WHO AM I?
WHO AM I?
✓ The quest of searching for our identity ends with
the emergence of philosophy
✓ The word philosophy was derived from the
words philos and sophia, which mean love and
wisdom respectively
✓ Philosophers provide never-ending questions to
provide answers to everything especially why we
exist
Greek philosophers SPA (Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle)
started finding answers about human existence
PHILOSOPHICAL VIEW OF THE SELF
The philosophical view of the self may evolve over time, but
we have to acknowledge this because it serves as a guide
for future views of the self
 SOCRATES
SOCRATES
Philosophical View of the Self
o An unexamined life is not worth living
Represented Self as...
o Soul
Key Concepts
o Every human possesses an immortal soul that
survives the physical body
Reality consists of TWO (2) DICHOTOMOUS REALMS:
1. PHYSICAL REALM
o changeable, transient and imperfect
o e.g., physical world where we live,
our body
2. IDEAL REALM
o unchanging, eternal and immortal
o e.g., truth, goodness, beauty, and
soul
o The soul strives for wisdom and perfection, with
reason as a tool to achieve this exalted state
o Man must live an examined life and a life of
purpose and value
SOCRATIC METHOD (INTROSPECTION)
o carefully examining one’s thoughts and emotions
to gain self-knowledge
PLATO
PLATO
Philosophical View of the Self
o The self is an immortal soul
Represented Self as...
o Soul
Key Concepts
o Believes in the process of self-knowledge and the
purification of the soul
THREE PARTS OF THE SOUL:
1. REASON
o the divine essence that enables us to
think deeply, make wise choices and
achieve a true understanding of
eternal truths
2. PHYSICAL APPETITE
o includes our basic biological needs
such as hunger, thirst, and sexual
desire
3. SPIRIT OR PASSION
o includes basic emotions such as love,
anger, ambition, aggressiveness,
and empathy
o These elements are in a dynamic
relationship, sometimes in conflict
Reason is responsible to sort things out and restore
harmonious relationship with one another
In his Theory of Forms, there are TWO WORLDS:
1. WORLD OF FORMS (NON-PHYSICAL IDEAS) – soul
2. WORLD OF SENSE (REALITY)
Man should give more importance to the soul than the
body
Source of Happiness
Genuine happiness can only be achieved by people who
consistently make sure that their Reason is in control of
their Spirits and Appetites
 ARISTOTLE ST AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO

ARISTOTLE ST AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO

Philosophical View of the Self Philosophical View of the Self

- The soul is the essence of the self - The self has an immortal soul

Represented Self as... Represented Self as...

- Soul - Immortal soul

Key Concepts Key Concepts

- Anything with life has a soul. The soul is the - Views body as the spouse of the soul to be
essence of the self complete
- Humans differ from other living things because of - Soul is an important element of man, it governs and
their capacity for rational thinking defines man

In Confession, humankind is created in the image and

likeness of God
THREE KINDS OF SOUL: - Everything created by God who is all good is good
- Self can be known only through knowing God
1. VEGETATIVE SOUL - Reflection, prayers and confession are significant in
o includes the physical body that can knowing God
grow
Source of Happiness
2. SENTIENT SOUL
- Knowledge can only come by seeing the truth that
o includes sensual desires, feelings and
dwells within us -truth of knowing God
emotions

3. RATIONAL SOUL
o what makes man human, including
intellect that allows man to know and
understand things

- Live a good, flourishing and fulfilling life (self-

actualization)
- Rational soul is characterized by moral virtues
such as justice and courage

Source of Happiness
- The pursuit of happiness is a search for a good life
that includes doing virtuous actions
 RENE DESCARTES
RENE DESCARTES
Philosophical View of the Self
- I think, therefore I am
Represented Self as...
- Thinking self
Key Concepts
- Father of Modern Philosophy
- The act of thinking about the self -of being self
conscious - is in itself proof that there is a self
TWO DIMENSIONS OF THE HUMAN SELF:
1. THE SELF AS A THINKING ENTITY
o non-material, immortal, conscious
being and independent of physical
laws
2. THE SELF AS A PHYSICAL BODY
o material, mortal and non-thinking
entity, governed by physical laws
Soul and body are independent of one another
Source of Happiness
- A thinking entity that doubts, understands,
analyzes, questions and reasons is the essence of
human self
JOHN LOCKE
JOHN LOCKE
Philosophical View of the Self
- The self is consciousness
Represented Self as...
- Personal identity
Key Concepts
- The human mind at birth is tabula rasa or blank
slate
- The self or personal identity, is constructed
primarily from sense experiences, which molds the
self throughout his life
Conscious awareness and memory of previous experiences
is the key to understanding self
Knowledge is based on careful observation of experiences,
while reason helps in figuring out the significance of sense
experience and reach intelligent conclusion
Source of Happiness
- The essence of the self is its conscious awareness of
itself as thinking, reasoning and reflecting identity
 DAVID HUME IMMANUEL KENT

DAVID HUME IMMANUEL KENT

Philosophical View of the Self Philosophical View of the Self

- There is no self - We construct the self

Represented Self as... Represented Self as...

- N/A - Consciousness

Key Concepts Key Concepts

- What people experience is just a bundle or - The self is the one actively organizing and
collection of different perceptions synthesizing all of our thoughts and perceptions
- Transcendental deduction of categories constructs
an orderly and objective world that is stable and
DISTINCT ENTITIES: can be investigated scientifically
- It is above the sense of experience
1. Impressions - The self constructs its own reality
o basic sensations of people’s - Reason, regulates the self by making experience
experience unified, while rationality makes abstract ideas
o e.g., hate, love, joy, grief, pain, cold, understandable
heat
Source of Happiness
2. Ideas
o thoughts and images from - The self constructs its own reality by actively
impressions creating a world that is familiar, predictable and
o The idea of personal identity is a most significantly, mine
result of imagination

SIGMEUND FREUD
Source of Happiness
- The self is the totality of a person’s conscious life SIGMEUND FREUD

Philosophical View of the Self

- The self is multilayered

Represented Self as...

- Conscious, unconscious, and preconscious self

Key Concepts
THREE LAYERS:
1. Conscious Self - reality principle
2. Unconscious Self – pleasure principle
3. Preconscious Self – non-threatening

Source of Happiness
- Preserve the equilibrium (balance)
 GILBERT RYLE MAURICE MERLEAU-PONTY

GILBERT RYLE Philosophical View of the Self

- The self is embodied subjectivity
Philosophical View of the Self
- The self is the way people behave Represented Self as...
- “I”
Represented Self as...
- Bodily behavior Key Concepts
- All knowledge about self is based on phenomena of
Key Concepts experience
- The self is best understood as a pattern of - The “I” is a single integrated core identity, a
behavior combination of mental, physical and emotional
- I act therefore I am structures around the self
- Mind and body are intrinsically linked in complex - Consciousness contains everything that we are
and intimate ways aware of
- The mind is the totality of human dispositions that - Perception is a conscious experience
is known through behaviors
- The mind comprises systems of thought, emotions Source of Happiness
and actions - When people examine the self at a fundamental
level of direct human experience, people will
Source of Happiness discover that the mind and body are unified, not
- The mind can be understood through the separate.
behaviors

PAUL CHURCHLAND

PAUL CHURCHLAND

Philosophical View of the Self

- The self is the brain

Represented Self as...

- Brain

Key Concepts
- Eliminative materialism - the self is inseparable
from the brain and the physiology of the body

It is the physical brain that gives people the sense of self,

not the mind because it does not exist and can’t be
experienced by senses

Source of Happiness
- If the brain is gone, there is no self
 MODULE 3 | THE SELF FROM VARIOUS PERSPECTIVES : SOCIAL COMPARISON THEORY
SOCIOLOGY This theory states that we compare ourselves to others.

TWO DIRECTIONS OF COMPARISON:

THE SELF
THE SELF
The self is the story we tell ourselves about ourselves.
- William Swann and Michael Buhrmester (2012)
call the self a “functional fiction” because it’s a
story with a purpose.
- And even though it’s a made-up, pieced-together
tale that has an audience of only one person, this
solitary self is also a social self.
1. UPWARD SOCIAL COMPARISON
o We compare ourselves to people who are
better than us
2. DOWNWARD SOCIAL COMPARISON
o We compare ourselves to people who are
worse than us
Guide to Social Comparison: WIDE
✓ W – Who
o (To whom are we comparing ourselves)

That’s because the plot of our self-story always involves ✓ I – Interpretation

family, friends, neighborhood, culture, and much more. o (Why did you choose that person?)

✓ D – Direction
SELF-CONCEPT o (Why are you comparing?)

SELF CONCEPT ✓ E – Esteem

The personal summary of who we believe we are; it is how o (Value to ourselves)
we answer the question, “Who am I?” It includes our
assessment of our positive and negative qualities, our Upward Downward
relationships to others, our beliefs, and opinions, and Comparison Comparison
more. Positive Effects Hope, inspiration Gratitude

THREE THEORIES: Negative Effects Dissatisfaction, envy Scorn

1. Social Comparison Theory
2. Social Identity Theory
3. Self-Schema Theory SOCIAL IDENTITY THEORY
- This theory states that culture (including the people
around us) creates expectations about how the self
should behave.

✓ Personal Identity – personal characteristics that we

know
✓ Social Identity – social characteristics
▪ Regional Self – based on where you
come from
▪ Cultural Self – you adapt the culture of
the place you are in
▪ Independent Self – ex. the western
culture
▪ Interdependent Self – ex. eastern
culture
SELF-SCHEMA THEORY
- This theory states that we create mental
structures that direct the self’s attention
Schema
- A cognitive and memory structure for organizing
the world
- “The architecture of personality”
HOW DO WE KNOW THE SELF IS SOCIAL?
SELF-PERCEPTION THEORY
- Forming our self-concept based on observation of
our own behaviors in the social world
SELF-DISCREPANCY THEORY
- Three simultaneous selves (actual self, ideal self,
ought self) that we are trying to juggle to avoid
mismatch of self-discrepancy
SELF-EXPANSION THEORY
- The idea that all of us have a basic motivation to
grow, improve, and enhance our self-concept; we
want to reach our greatest potential (Aron, Aron
& Normal, 2001; Aron & Aron, 1996)
- One common way we attempt to “expand” our
self-concept is through close social relationships.
THE LOOKING GLASS SELF THEORY
- “Tell me who your friends are, and I will tell you
who you are,”
- The looking-glass self is the process by which
people evaluate themselves based on how others
see them
CONSTITUTION OF THE SELF
- Created by Gerry Lanuza
- Highlights the importance of finding one’s
authentic core in the process of understanding our
social self
- The society does not dictate who you are because
you are the one who picks your identity
JEAN BAUDRILLARD (POSTMODERNISM THEORY)
- People define themselves based on what they have
- “In the modern world, what something represents
has become more important than what it actually
is.”
- Ex. New cellphone, earthly goods, things that we
acquire
 WHY DO WE PRESENT DIFFERENT SELVES IN DIFFERENT
SITUATIONS?
IMPRESSION MANAGEMENT
- Self-Presentation – ways that we adjust
information about the self to gain social influence
and approval
SOCIAL MANAGEMENT
- We attempt to look like, act like other people and
tolerate differences and diversity to fit in
BANDWAGON EFFECT
- A psychological phenomenon whereby people do
something primarily because other people are
doing it, regardless of their own beliefs, which
they may ignore or override.
SELF-FULFILLING PROPHECY
- A sociological term used to describe a prediction
that causes itself to become true
MODULE 4 | THE SELF FROM VARIOUS PERSPECTIVES :
ANTHROPOLOGY
ANTHROPOLOGY
“ The science of humanity,” which studies human
beings in aspects ranging from the biology and
evolutionary history of Homo sapiens to the
features of society and culture that decisively
distinguish humans from older animal species.
(Encyclopedia Britannica)
WHO AM I?
WHO AM I?
Human experience is an interplay of nature or the genetic
inheritance which sets the individual’s potentials, and
nurture referring sociocultural environment (Haviland,
Prins, Walrath, & Mcbride, 2013).
- We are looking on how an individual is being
nurtured.
Culture
- Complex whole which includes knowledge, belief,
art, morals, law, customs, and any other
capabilities and habits acquired by a man as a
member of society (Edward Taylor).
Identity Toolbox
- Refers to the features of a person’s identity that he
or she chooses to emphasize in constructing a
social self
 IDENTITY TOOLBOX
▪ Social view of self
▪ Kinship
▪ Gender
▪ Age
▪ Language
▪ Personal naming
▪ Religious beliefs and practices
SOCIAL VIEW OF THE SELF
▪ Egocentric Self – seen as autonomous and distinct
individual (independent)
▪ Sociocentric Self – seen as contingent on a
situation or social setting (interdependent)
KINSHIP
▪ Family, in the Philippine culture, plays a big role in
influencing our self-concept.
▪ “Family ties are very strong in the Philippines and
traditionally greater emphasis has been put on the
family than individuals,” (Hayes, 2015)
GENDER
▪ A growing number of young people are moving
beyond the idea that we live in a world where
sexuality and gender come in only two forms (Katy
Steinmetz, Times Magazine)
LANGUAGE
▪ Language is intrinsic to the expression of culture.
▪ As a means of communicating values, beliefs and
customs, it has an important social function and
fosters feelings of group identity and solidarity.
▪ It is the means by which culture and its traditions
and shared values may be conveyed and
preserved.
PERSONAL NAMING
▪ A name is an important device to individualize a
person and legitimize him or her as a member of a
social group such as a family.
▪ Gives a sense of belongingness
RELIGIOUS BELIEFS
▪ Religion plays an important role in the Filipino
understanding of the self, tracing its roots from the
“Bahala na” concept.
▪ Babae, bathala, at lalaki
CULTURE AND TRADITION
▪ Festivals
▪ Superstitions/Pamahiin
▪ Philippine Arts and Literature
FILIPINO TRAITS AND VALUES
▪ “Kapwa” in the Filipino Psychology, is the
recognition of the shared identity, an inner self
shared with others.
▪ Kapwa to “pakikipagkapwa” has a pivotal role in
the FIlipino culture.
TERMINOLOGIES
Cultural Awareness
- understanding of the differences between
themselves and people from other countries
or other backgrounds, especially differences
in attitudes and values
Ethic Identity
- pointing out the sameness (shared
characteristics) of the self with others (e.g.,
language, cultural traditions, etc.)
Cultural Assimilation
- involves taking on the traits of the dominant
culture to such a degree that the assimilating
group becomes socially indistinguishable
from other members of the society
Cultural Accommodation
- refers to the process by which individuals
may take on values and beliefs of the host
culture and accommodate them in the public
sphere, while maintaining the parent culture
in the private sphere.
 MODULE 5 : THE SELF FROM VARIOUS PERSPECTIVE : iisip ng tao sa pag-
PSYCHOLOGICAL intindi ng human brain
sa pagdefine ng
behavior at
Tries to explain why we behave a certain way attitude ng tao

Psychological Perspectives in Understanding Human Behavior Humanistic Focuses on the role of Abraham Maslow
motivation that drives Carl Rogers
Approach Key Concept(s) Proponent(s) human to grow, change
Psychodynamic Emphasizes the role of Sigmund Freud and develop potential
the unconscious mind, Carl Jung
childhood/ past Erik Erikson • Mahalaga ang mga ito
experiences and sa development ng tao
interpersonal • There is something
relationships to explain that drives us to do
human behavior something

• Binibigyang halaga
yung epekto ng
unconscious mind Biological
Emphasizes the
at past experiences as physical and
pag-intindi kung sino
biological bases of
ba ang isang tao
behavior, such as genetic
• Associates the
influences, body systems
childhood to a person
and brain damage that
affects personality

Cross-Cultural Understands
Behavior across different
Behavioral Focuses on observable Ivan Pavlov cultures
behaviors as a response John B. Watson
to environmental factors Burrhus Frederic Evolutionary
Applies the basic
(stimuli) rather than on Skinner
principles of
emphasizing internal Edward Lee
Thorndike evolution in
states explaining psychological
phenomena
• Should be
observable; focuses
on the individual’s
response to the
environment

Cognitive Focuses on mental Jean Piaget

processes like memory, Albert Bandura
thinking, problem solving, Wilhelm Wundt
language and decision-
making

• Highlighting na
mahalaga ang
nangyayaring function
or process sa pag-
 SIGMEUND FREUD : PSYCHOSEXUAL STAGES PSYCHOSEXUAL STAGES
Sigmund Freud is the major proponent of the
psychodynamic approach A person, while growing up, undergoes into psychosexual
stages that focus on different parts of the body.
3 COMPONENTS OF THE MIND
ORAL STAGE
CONSCIOUS LEVEL (EGO) - Stimulates the mouth
- Mediator between the Superego and Id
- We only show the conscious level ANAL STAGE
- Stimulates the anus
PRECONSCIOUS LEVEL (SUPEREGO)
- Tells us the right things to do PHALLIC STAGE
- Morality principles (ideals, beliefs) - Stimulates the genitals
- Children start to explore and become curious
UNCONSCIOUS LEVEL (ID)
- Basic impulses (needs, desires, motivations, LATENCY STAGE
drives) - Interaction with other people
- Pleasure-principle (anything that is pleasurable) - Losing focus on body parts
- This level gratifies our needs
GENITAL STAGE
- Curiosity in the use of genitals

FIXATION
- When a person does not address the psychosexual
stages, they will fix on the stage and will not be
able to move on
- Can undergo over-gratification or under-
gratification
 CARL JUNG : THEORY OF UNCONSCIOUS

EGO
- Ego is what manifests our image

PERSONAL UNCONSCIOUS
- Information that you forgot but remember once in
a while

COLLECTIVE UNCONSCIOUS
ERIK ERIKSON: PSYCHOSOCIAL STAGES - Information that we are not totally aware
Unlike the Psychosexual Stages by Freud, this stage - Inherited from our genetics and ancestors
focuses on the social stages. o Jungian Archetypes – different forms of
appearances that we show
SOCIAL STAGES ▪ Persona – a mask; we do not show
- Responsibilities and expectations that we should the unlikeable traits about
undergo and complete as we grow to gain our ourselves
egos direct. ▪ Anima/Animus – our gender
- Once the appropriate confidence level has been • Anima is the feminine side
achieved, your egos will strike (ego strength) of the male
• Animus is the masculine
side of the female
▪ Shadow – animalistic side; impulse
▪ Self – balances the three types;
what we really are

Systems
Concept Sub-types
of Psyche

Represents the
conscious mind as it
comprises the
Ego thoughts, memories
and emotions a person
is aware of
Complex a collection
Personal Contains temporarily of thoughts, feelings
forgotten information and attitudes and
Uncon-
and repressed
memories
scious memories

JUNGIAN ARCHETYPES:
level of unconscious • Persona
shared with other • Anima/
Collective members of the human Animus
Uncon- species comprising • The Shadow
scious latent memories from • The Self
our ancestral and
evolutionary past
 IVAN PAVLOV : CLASSICAL CONDITIONING
IVAN LAVLOV
- Learning through association
- As people, if there are two stimuli introduced to
our organs that are associated with being good, it
will produce a learning response.
BURRHUS FREDERIC SKINNER : OPERANT CONDITIONING
BURRHUS FREDERIC SKINNER
- We learn through the concept of reward and
punishment
- Rewards create positive reaction, whereas
punishments create negative reaction
JOHN WATSON: BEHAVIORISM
JOHN WATSON
- We cannot define a person based on what happens
on their mind; instead, we need to look at their
behavior
- Behavior is a manifestation.
SYSTEMATIC DESENSITIZATION
- A way of desensitizing our fears
- A person will be exposed of pictures of their fears,
but gradually, you will realize that those are only
pictures
EDWARD LEE THORNDLIKE: LAW OF EFFECT
EDWARD LEE THORNDLIKE
Behaviors followed by favorable consequences become
more likely, and behaviors followed by unfavorable
consequences become less likely
- You are most likely to do something when it has a
good effect
 JEAN PIAGET: SCHEMA ALBERT BANDURA : SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY

JEAN PIAGET ALBERT BANDURA

It is the architect of the mind that organizes memories in Learning through observation; we behave through
the mind so that the next time we experience a situation, observing other people’s actions
we will act accordingly to our past experience. - “Sa mata ng bata, lahat nagiging tama”

ASSIMILATION
- Using an existing schema to deal with the new
object or situation.
- Ex. When going to a party, you will use the
previous information you learned from the last
party you went

EQUILIBRATION
- The balance of both assimilation and
accommodation
FACTORS THAT DETERMINE HUMAN BEHAVIOR
DISEQUILIBRIUM
- When something you learned before does not
✓ Cognitive Factors (Personal Factors) – existing
work anymore
factors
✓ Environmental Factors – what the society tells us
ACCOMMODATION
what is right and what is not; the norms
- When you go to a new party and assimilation does
✓ Behavioral Factors – how we act and how we are
not work out, you will create new information and
rewarded/stimulated
create new information

WILHELM WUNDT: INTROSPECTION

WILHEN WUNDT
States that we can understand ourselves if we look on our
internal state (looking within)
 ABRAHAM MASLOW: HIERARCHY OF NEEDS MODULE 6 | THE WESTERN AND EASTERN CONCEPT OF
THE SELF
ABRAHAM MASLOW

Humanistic Needs – this explains that we behave because
we have a need
- Shaped like a pyramid
- The level below consists of basic but most
important needs and the upper level consists of
things that we don’t actually need
- When you fulfill all needs, you are a self-actualized
person
WESTERN CONCEPT OF THE SELF
Geertz (2008) defines the western concept of self as a
“bounded, unique, more or less integrated motivational
and cognitive universe, a dynamic center of awareness,
emotion, judgment and action organized into a distinctive
whole and set contrastively both against other such wholes
and against its social and natural background.”
WESTERN SELF AS ANALYTIC
- The western way of thinking is analytic – deductive
with emphasis on the causal links
- i.e., the whole is understood when differentiated
into parts

WESTERN SELF AS MONOTHEISTIC

- The belief in one Supreme Being coexisting with the
universe condenses the supernatural and human
capabilities into bipolarity of both qualities of
CARL ROGERS : FULLY FUNCTIONING PERSON existence.

CARL ROGERS WESTERN SELF AS INDIVIDUALISTIC

- The same concept as the self-actualized person of - Western individualism exhibits the coexistence of
Abraham Maslow favorable and unfavorable conditions inherent in
- We behave because we want to become fully personal freedom.
functioning - The right to individual freedom provides both
opportunities for self- fulfillment and or the
To meet our self-image and ideal self, there should be likelihood of experiencing alienation and
congruence (balance) frustration.
- Self-Image – what we show
- Ideal Self – what we want Western Self as Materialistic and Rationalistic
- The western way of thinking is focused on material
If the self-image and ideal self do not meet, there will be things and favors a rational empirical
incongruency - approach over magical and superstitious
3 FACTORS: explanations of immaterial things.
I. Genuineness
II. Acceptance
III. Love
DAVID HO (1995)
- describes the western self as an individualistic self
that is deeply aware of itself, its uniqueness, sense
of direction, purpose and volition.
FRANK JOHNSON (1985)
- traces the earliest historical roots of the western
concept of the self to works on philosophy, almost
half a million years ago
- by the middle and nineteenth century, psychology
has provided answers to philosophical questions
about the concepts of soul and mind
Stage Period Historical Development
1 Pre-Christian
time until There were philosophical and
1850 theological attempts to characterize
the self through the concepts of soul
and mind with emphasis on
conscious experience of the
individual, distinction between
physical and mental nature of
man and the causality of human
behavior
2 1850-
1940 The establishment of experimental
psychology in mid- 19 century led to
a change in emphasis from abstract
concepts of soul and mind to
observable and measurable aspects
of human faculties
The concept of self re-emerged within
the social interactionist framework in
the early 1900s
3 1940- There is multidirectional and
present continuous development of concept
of self
Sociological and psychological
theories of self encompassing the
three levels of self: inner self,
interpersonal self and social self
Existentialists and phenomenologists
engaged in holistic approach
integrating the three levels of self
At present, there is a convergence in
the conceptualization of self
among various disciplines
EASTERN CONCEPT OF THE SELF
In the East, philosophy and religion are twisted together.
Thus, the major Eastern religions such as Hinduism,
Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism are also the common
representatives of eastern thought.
These eastern intellectual traditions differ greatly in
features and approaches to various issues about selfhood.
For this reason, the eastern thought is described by Garcia
(2013) as pluralistic.
Although these four systems of eastern thought differ in
their approaches about the concept of self, they share the
same goal - to teach how to become a perfect person
(Villaba, 1995).
THE SELF IN FOUR GREAT SYSTEMS OF EASTEN THOUGHT
HINDUISM
The Hindu concept of self is based on Vedanta, a major
school of Indian thought.
- It has been stated that Brahman is an absolute
reality, and Atman as the soul or spirit is the true
knowledge of self.
- Vedanta characterizes human suffering as the
result of failure to realize the distinction between
the true self (permanent and unchanging) and the
non- true self (impermanent and continuously
changing).
The goal of the person is to have a knowledge of the true
reality, which is Brahman. But the realization of true
selfhood will result in complete dissolution of individual
identity (Ho, 1995).
The Law of Karma is the most important doctrine of
Hinduism.
- All actions are subjected to karma.
- If you do good things, you will be rewarded.
- If you do bad things, you will be punished.
- Therefore, the individual is the only one
responsible for the consequences of his or her
actions (Garcia, 2008).
Hindus also believe that Atman, the immortal soul,
continues to be reincarnated from lifetime to lifetime until
it is freed from the cycle of rebirth and reaches a state of
nirvana or non-birth.
Karma does not end with the body's death. In the present
lifetime, people can change what they will become in
future lives.
BUDDHISM CONFUCIANISM

Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha, is the founder
of Buddhism.
- The root word of Buddhism is “budh” meaning
“awake.”
- To be awake may imply that opening the eyes
would lead to understanding more about the self
and world.
According to Buddhism, every person has the seed of
enlightenment, hence, the potential to be a Buddha. But
the seed should be nurtured (Mansukhani, 2013).
The Confucius doctrines are found in the Analects or the
Conversations of Confucius.
- The core of Confucian thought is the Golden Rule or
the principle of reciprocity:
- “Do not do to others what you would not want
others to do to you.”
- Thus, the basic virtue or proper conduct is knowing
how to act in relation to others.
THE MOST IMPORTANT OF RELATIONSHIPS ARE THE FIVE
CARDINAL RELATIONSHIPS:

THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS ARE THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF (1) Between ruler and minister
BUDDHISM: (2) between father and son
(3) between husband and wife
(1) life is suffering
(4) between brothers
(2) suffering is caused by attachment to desires
(5) between friends
(3) suffering can be eliminated
(4) elimination of suffering is through the practice of Hence, the self is known as a relational self.
the eightfold path
The individual’s greatest mission of attaining self-realization
a. right view
where self-cultivation is instrumental. Self-cultivation could
b. right aspiration
be attained by knowing one’s role in society and act
c. right speech
accordingly.
d. right action
e. right livelihood
f. right effort
TAOISM
g. right mindfulness
h. right concentration. Taoism is a Chinese counterculture.

- Taoists reject the idea of a relational self.

In Buddhist philosophy, man is just a title for the
- To them, the self is an extension of the cosmos, not
summation of five parts:
of social relationships.
1. matter
- The self is described as one of the limitless forms of
2. sensation
the Tao.
3. perception
4. mental constructs The Tao is commonly regarded as nature that is the
5. consciousness. foundation of all that exists. It is not bounded by time and
space.
Man has no self or no-soul. There is nothing permanent
- The self is attained when the distinction between
but change. The ignorance of the impermanence of
“I” and “other” dissolves.
everything may lead to an illusion of selfhood.
- The selfless person leads to a balanced life, in
This primal ignorance will be the cause of life’s misery, harmony with both nature and society.
births and rebirths. The ideal is to experience nirvana, a - There should be unity and harmony among
state of transcendence devoid of self- reference, which opposing elements of the Yin and Yang
can be achieved through meditation.
 DICHOTOMY OF WESTERN AND EASTERN CONCEPTS OF
SELF
and self as object (both knower and
It is vitally important that both East and West appreciate (known) known)
each other’s attempts to understand the self. To do so can Theological
monotheistic polytheistic
only enrich both. Thus, Quito seeks to place western and view
eastern theories of the self into perspective by making Self actualization To achieve a balanced
some comparisons and contrast among them. Ideal through personal life and find one’s role
growth in

COMPARATIVE MATRIX OF WESTERN AND EASTERN Individualism Collectivism

APPROACHES TO UNDERSTANDING THE SELF
The self is a distinct The self is an
Dimension Western Thought Eastern Thought and autonomous integrated part of the
entity universe and the
There is a society
Frame of reference separation Independence and
between Religion and philosophy self- reliance are Interdependen ce and
philosophy and are intertwined core values connectedness are
religion/ core values
spirituality Prioritize personal
goals over group No distinctions
Examples of • Scholasticism goals between personal and
schools of • Rationalism • Hinduism Cultural group goals
thought/belief • Empiricism • Buddhism framework Characterized by
systems • Phenomenolo • Confucianism exchange Characterized
gy • Taoism Relationship by communal
relationship
Greek Triumvirate: Uniqueness, sense
• Socrates • Confucius of direction, Conformity
Notable philosophers • Plato • Lao Tzu purpose and and obedience are
• Aristotle • Siddharta volition are essential social
Rene Descartes Gautama the acknowledge behaviors
John Locke (Buddha) features of
the self Duty towards others
Has trusted are important
Has made use of intuition and is
Source of knowledge reason rather than Personal success is
often associated
faith to pursue important
with religious
wisdom beliefs
Modes of cognition
Analytic and
Synthetic and inductive
deductive

Emphasis Distinctions and Commonalities and

oppositions harmonies

View of the
universe and life
linear circular

View of self
egocentric sociocentric

Subject-object
distinction Duality of self as Simultaneously subject
subject (knower) and object