NOTES:

UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

Physical Self
The physical self refers to the body. Both physical extremities and internal organs work
together for the body to perform many of its functions such as breathing, walking, eating, and
sleeping, among others.

Adolescence
Adolescence begins with the onset of puberty. This stage is characterized by rapid physical
changes that include the maturation of the reproductive system.

Elizabeth B. Hurlock outlines the stages in the life span:

1. Prenatal - fertilization to birth
2. Infancy - birth to 2 weeks of life
3. Babyhood - 2 weeks of life to 2nd year
4. Early childhood - 2 to 6 years old
5. Late childhood - 6 to 10 or 12 years old
6. Puberty - 10 or 12 to 14 years old
7. Adolescence - 14 to 18 years old
8. Early adulthood - 18 to 40 years old
9. Middle adulthood - 40 to 60 years old
10. Late adulthood - 60 to death

Factors Affecting Physical Growth and Development

Heredity, environment, sex and other physical traits.

Theories of Physical Self:

The theory of physiognomy suggests that a person's physical characteristics such as facial
features and expressions and body structures could be related to a person's character or
personality.

1. Five Element Theory

2. Theory based on the Prominence of Body Fluids.
3. Theory based on Body Type by William Sheldon
4. Wisdom of Your Face by Jane Haner

Body Image and appearance:

Socio-cultural factors
The way adolescents react to their physical appearance depends in part on sociocultural
factors. The emphasis that peers, parents, or the media put on ideal body types which is slim or
thin leads girls to experience body dissatisfaction

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Importance of Beauty:
Indeed, physical beauty has been regarded as an essential part of one’s self across all cultures.
Although defined in a different way, it has become a primary part of an individual’s physical
self. No matter how various cultures define it, the most important thing to remember is that we
feel beautiful because we a healthy perception of our physical worth — that is why we feel
good about ourselves.

Physical Self-Perception Profile (PSPP)

Sport competence (sport): Perceptions of sport and athletic ability, ability to learn sport skills,
and confidence in the sport environment
Physical condition (condition): Perceptions of physical condition, stamina, and fitness; ability to
maintain exercise; and confidence in the exercise and fitness setting
Body attractiveness (body): Perceived attractiveness of figure or physique, ability to maintain
an attractive body, and confidence in appearance
Physical strength (strength): Perceived strength, muscle development, and confidence in
situations requiring strength
Physical self-worth (PSW): General feelings of happiness, satisfaction, pride, respect, and
confidence in the physical self

Sexual Self
Primary Sex Characteristics
Body structures directly concerned with reproduction.

Secondary Sex Characteristics

Refers to other visible changes that mark adult maturation. These include body hair growth,
body odor, and a sudden increase in height. Also, changes to body shape or voice may occur.

MALE FEMALE

Less pronounced body hair characteristics

More pronounced body hair characteristics
(mostly in pubic region, hair all over is
(beard, chest, etc.) and usually more coarse
usually finer)

Heavier musculature Lighter musculature

Rounded features
Angular features
(softer facial features, hour-glass mid-
(square jaw, triangular mid- region)
region)

Narrow hips Wider hips

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 Deeper voice Higher voice

Adolescent Sexual Development

Occurs during puberty and includes many changes such as physical, emotional, and social
changes.

Puberty
Refers to the transformations that occur as a child undergoes physical developmental changes,
resulting in the sexually mature body of an adult.

Different hormones released during puberty:

Gonadotrophins
Androgens
Estrogens

Sexual Anatomy of Male

Sexual Anatomy of Female:

Additional hormones released by the body:

1. The Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
2. Luteinizing hormone (LH)
3. Estrogen
4. Progesterone
5. Testosterone

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Common Diseases Linked to Reproductive System
1. Infection
2. Cancer
3. Infertility
4. Penile Problems
5. Infection and Sexually Transmitted Disease
Chlamydia, gonorrhea, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease or PID
6. Endometriosis and Adenomyosis
7. Ovarian Disorders
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or PCOS
8. Menopause

Social and Emotional Changes

The so-called ‘raging hormones' experienced during puberty. Our bodies at this stage are
adjusting to these fluctuating hormone levels. This is also the beginning of romantic interest in
the opposite sex.

According to anthropology professor Helen Fisher (1998), there are three stages of falling in
love: lust, attraction and attachment.

Chemistry of L-o-v-e
1. Dopamine
2. Norepinephrine
3. Oxytocin
4. Vasopressin
5. Endorphins

Erogenous Zone
Which refers to region in the human body that has increased sensitivity, which, when
stimulated, may create a sexual response such as relaxation, thoughts of sexual fantasies,
sexual arousal and orgasm.

Human Sexual Behavior

1. Solitary Behavior
2. Sociosexual Behavior

Sexual Response Cycle:

1. Excitement
2. Plateau
3. Orgasm
4. Resolution

Biology of Human Sexual Behavior

1. Brain

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 2. Cerebral Cotrex
3. Hypothalamus
4. Pituitary Gland
5. Oxytocin

Common Sexual Dysfunction:

Sexual problems are often categorized in one of four ways: desire disorders, arousal disorders,
orgasmic disorders, and sexual pain disorders.

Bacteria Sexual Transmitted Diseases:

1. Chlamydia
2. Gonorrhea
3. Syphilis

Viral Sexually Transmitted Diseases:

1. HIV - Human Immunodeficiency Virus
2. Human Papillomavirus (HPV).

Reducing the Risk for Sexually Transmitted Infection

1. Abstinence
2. Monogamy
3. Condoms
4. Vaccination and more

Methods of Contraception: (Review your submitted activity sheets)

1. Natural Method
2. Artificial Method

Social Self:
George Herbert Mead – “Me” and “I” Self

• Your social self is partly shaped by the groups you identify with.
• To help us decide whether we really do have a certain trait or truly fit into a certain
category, we can use social comparisons.
• We tend to make two types of comparisons: upwards social comparisons and
downwards social comparisons.
• Individual Differences In Self-Presentation: High self-monitors and Low self-monitors
• Your social self is affected by labels—both the labels others give you and the labels you
give yourself. These labels can have a direct effect on your behavior in social situations.
• Self-Discrepancy Theory: Actual Self, Ought Self and Ideal Self
• According to the looking-glass self theory, our self-image is partly based on how we
think other people see us.

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 • Culture and social self: Your social self is influenced by your culture. From birth, we
receive powerful messages from the people around us about how we should define
ourselves and how we should behave around others.

Digital Self:
Cyber Identity
“personality or personalities that are created through a person’s online interactions.”

Masking Identity
Whenever an individual interacts with others in the online world, he or she portrays a mask of
their identity.

Methods of Self Presentation and Impression Management

1. Selective Self Presentation
2. Theory on Dramaturgy by Erving Goffman
3. Impression Management
4. Non-Verbal Communication

Material Self:
William James’ 3 elements of self
1. The Selves;
a) The material self
b) The social self
c) The spiritual self
d) The pure ego
2. The self-feelings; and
3. The actions to which they prompt

According to William James, a “man’s ‘Self’ is the sum total of all that he CAN call his,” which
includes his body, clothing, family and his house.

Extended Self:
Whatever we possess greatly contributes to and reflects our identities. - Russel Belk
In his study about consumer behavior, he theorizes that if possessions are viewed as part of the
‘self,’ it follows that the loss of it is similar to a loss of the ‘self.’