MATERIAL SELF

We are living in a world of sale and shopping spree. Almost

everywhere, including the digital space, we can find promotions of
product purchase. Product advertisements are suggestive of making us
feel better or look good. Part of us wants to have that product. What
makes us want to have those products are connected with who we are.
What we want to have and already possess is related to our self.

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NEEDS WANTS POSSESSIONS

Are those important for Are synonymous with Are extended version of
survival. luxuries oneself.

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 Material Self
“Refers to tangible objects, people, or
places that carry the designation my
or mine.”

William James

Sheets
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 “..sum total of all he call his, not only his body psychic
powers, but his clothes and his house, his wife and children.”

- WILLIAM JAMES

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“..if they wax and prosper, he feels triumphant; if they dwindle and
die away, he feels cast down – not necessarily in the some degree
for each thing, but in much the same way for all.”

- WILLIAM JAMES

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 “
We are what we have.

Belk (1988) stated that “we regard our possessions as parts of ourselves. We
are what we have and what we possess.” There is a direct link between
self-identity with what we have and possess. Our wanting to have and
possess has a connection with another aspect of the self, the material self.

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 James described different components as:

✔ Its constituents
✔ The feelings and emotions they arouse – self-feelings;
✔ The actions to which they prompt – self-seeking and self-preservation.

The first category, the constituents that constitute Self can then be further divided into sub-categories of
“a. The material Self; b. The social Self; c. The spiritual Self; and d. The pure Ego.
James then further explicates each of the four aforementioned sub-categories.

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The material Self is constituted by: our bodies, clothes, immediate
family, and home. It is it to these things, according to James, that we are
the most deeply affected by because of our investments of self within
these things. The more we invest of ourselves in these objects, the more
attached to them we inevitably are to them.

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COMPOSITION OF MATERIAL SELF

BODY

CLOTHES

IMMEDIATE FAMILY

HOME

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A man’s social Self is configured based upon our interactions with
society and the reactions of others that are analyzed in order to contribute
to our idea of a social Self. Within this notion of the social Self, there are
multiple divergences; which version of Self is present is contingent upon
which of a particular social group one finds one’s self in.

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The next constituent is said by James to be the most intimate self, the
spiritual Self. James claims that it is the most intimate version of self
because the satisfaction experienced when one thinks of one’s “ability to
argue and discriminate, of one’s moral sensibility, and conscience, of our
indomitable will” is more pure than other sentiments of satisfaction.

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Finally, James addresses the last and “most puzzling aspect of the self,”
the Pure ego. While different schools of thought have all reached
differing conclusions regarding the Ego, The first part of understanding
the Ego comes with understanding that it can recognize its own thoughts;
the thoughts that belong to one’s own Ego can be recognized and
possess.

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 BODY
Inner most part of our material self.

Intentionally, we invest in our body.

We are directly attached to this commodity that we cannot live without.

We strive hard to make sure that this body functions well and good.

Any ailment or disorder directly affects us.

We do have certain preferential attachment or intimate closeness to

certain body parts because of its value to us.

There were people who get their certain body parts insured.

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 CLOTHES
James believed that clothing is an essential part of the material self.

The style and brand of clothes becomes symbolic significance.

The fabric and style of the clothes we wear bring sensations to the
body to which directly affect our attitudes and behavior.

Clothes are placed in the second hierarchy of material self.

Clothing is a form of self-expression.

We choose and wear clothes that reflect our self.

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 IMMEDIATE FAMILY
Our parents and siblings hold another great important part of our self.

These people are likely to shape and influence the development of self identity.

What they do or become affect us.

We place huge investment in our immediate family when we see them as the
nearest replica of our self.

When an immediate family member dies, part of our self dies, too.

When their lives are in success, we feel their victories as if we are the one holding
the trophy.

In their failures, we are put to shame or guilt.

When they are in disadvantage situation, there is an urgent urge to help.

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 HOME
It is the earliest nest of our selfhood.

Our experiences inside the home were recorded and marked on

particular parts and things in our home.

Just like the saying “if only walls can speak”.

The home thus is an extension of self, because in it, we can directly

connect our self.

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 EFFECTS OF MATERIAL POSSESSIONS

❑ Regardless of how much or how little material

possessions people have, they are interested in
material possessions.

❑ Possessions can be used as status, symbol. Cars,

house, gadgets and clothes are the most valuable
possessions because they are the most visible in the
eye of the others.

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❑ Material possessions can be a reflection of work hard and success.

❑ People tend to measure success through material possession.

❑ Material possession can make people more motivated to work harder to achieve
them.

❑ However, lack or loss of material possessions can be disruptive to the mental health
of some people.
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 MATERIALISM

The importance people give on material

possessions.

The negative effect of the strong desire for

material possessions,

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MATERIALISTIC PERSON

Someone with a high level of materialism.

Excessively concerned with the acquisition of

material possessions.

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❑ As we grow older, putting importance to material possession decreases. However, material
possession gains higher value in our lifetime if we use material possession to find happiness,
associate these things with significant events, accomplishments, and people in our lives.

❑ There are even times, when material possession of a person that is closely identified to the
person, gains acknowledgment with high regard even if the person already passed away.

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 ACTIVITY I

Debit Card Challenge:

▪ A very wealthy person gave you a debit card and told you to use it as much as you want to
make yourself happy. What are you going to do with it? Make a list of what you want to
have. Write as many as you want.

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 After you listed all your wants, answer the following questions:

1. How do you feel as you do the Debit Card Challenge?

2. Which among the items in your list you like the most? Why?
3. If ever you were given the chance in real life to have one among the
list, which would you choose? Why?

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 ACTIVITY II

Collage Making
▪ Create a collage of your treasured possessions
including your current clothing style. You may use
symbols or pictures of your treasured possessions.
Put a short note why you treasure each item.

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