GEN.

Ed-6

Understanding
the Self
 TOPICS
1. The Philosophical Self
2. The Self from Sociological Perspective
3. The Self from an Anthropological Perspective
4. The Self from a Psychological Perspective
5. The Physical, Sexual, Material, Spiritual, Political Self
6. Learning to be a Better Learner
7. Setting Goals for Success
8. Taking Charge of One’s Health and Well being
PHILOSOPHICAL SELF
• Ancient and Medieval

PAASA
• PLATO
AUGUSTINE
AQUINAS
SOCRATES
ARISTOTLE
 PLATO
• The Self is an
“immortal soul in a
mortal perishable
body.
• The soul has
tripartite nature:
AUGUSTINE
• The SELF is made up
of BODY AND SOUL.
• The goal: to have
spiritual union with
God by living a
good life.
• Every human person
is made for God.
AQUINAS
• Believed on
Divine
Revelation
• Human soul
is restless and
imperfect
until it rests in
God.
 SOCRATES
• BODY AND SOUL
• Our TRUE self is our
Soul.
• Know Thyself.
• The unexamined life
is not worth living.
 ARISTOTLE
• The SELF is composed
of:
• Body and Soul
• Mind and Matter
• Sense and Intellect
• Passion and Reason
 ARISTOTLE
• Human happiness
comes from the
harmonious
development of the
whole self.
 ARISTOTLE
• Wisdom – true
knowledge.
• Virtue – doing what is
best for you.
• Golden Mean – means
moderation.
 “Happiness is the meaning
and the purpose of life, the
whole aim and end of human
existence”
-Aristotle
We must cultivate virtues because they are the
qualities that will help the people to live well.
Telos – End / Ultimate Goal:
Happiness = Eudamonia
 Aristotle golden mean

Deficiency Excess
Mean
Malnourished Overweight

“Eating”
PHILOSOPHICAL SELF
Modern and Contemporary Philosophers

M PI JR? G!
Maurice Merleau Ponty
Paul Churchland
Immanuel Kant
John Locke
Rene Descartes
Gilbert Ryle
 MAURICE MERLEAU
PONTY
•The SELF is an inextricable
union between mind and
body.
•“Being-in-the-world” –
Oneness or harmony
between the body and
the world.
 PAUL
CHURCHLAND
• Adheres to Materialism –
the belief that nothing
except matter exists.
• Decision making and
moral behavior are
biological phenomena.
 IMMANUEL
KANT
• Human Person has an
INNER and OUTER SELF.
• Replaced religion with
reason.
• Categorical Imperative.
 JOHN LOCKE
•Essay Concerning Human
Understanding.
•Tabula Rasa.
•Impressions during infancy
serve as the foundation of
the development of the
SELF.
 RENE DESCARTES
• The SELF is an immaterial mind
and a material body.
• Dualism:
• Mind – seat of consciousness.
• Body – human senses (unreliable)
• I think, therefore I am.
 GILBERT RYLE
• The workings of mind are
not distinct from the
actions of the body but
are the one and the
same.
• Our SELF is not derived
from mind and body but
from our behavior in our
daily activities.
 GILBERT RYLE
• If someone considers
you lovely, it is
because you behave
well. If someone
believes that you are
intelligent, it is because
you behave
intelligently.
THE SELF FROM A

GMCC
 George Mead
Charles Cooley
The concept of SELF is
developed through a
SOCIALIZATION
 George Mead
• Self is not there at
birth.
• Self is developed over
time from
experiences.
• Significant others.
• Generalized others.
 George Mead
• The “I” and “Me”
personality.
• “I” – natural, existential
aspect of self.
• “Me” – is the socialized
“me” or cultured self.
 Charles Cooley

• Looking-glass self
theory
• We learn to view
ourselves as we think
others view us.
THE SELF FROM AN
The totality of what an organism is
physically, biologically,
psychologically, socially and
culturally.
 Two common errors in studying the
SELF.
Stratigraphic Approach – Stacking
independent models one after the
other without interrelating them.

Reductionism – When we attempt to

interpret all observations by reducing
them to single level of analysis.
Sociocentric View
Egocentric View of
of Self-focuses on
Self-focuses on
one’s social group;
individual Self.
socially-oriented.

Two sides of
identity found
in every person
in every
culture
Cultural Relativism
• Is the idea that a
person’s beliefs, values,
and practices should
be understood based
on the person’s own
culture.
Ethnocentrism SUPERIOR

Xenocentrism INFERIOR
THE SELF FROM A
PSYCHOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

SF-IES
Sigmund
Freud
Id,
Ego
Super-Ego
 SIGMUND FREUD
• Human psyche can be
divided to 3 parts:
• Id – “Pleasure Principle”
• Ego – “Reality Principle”
• Super-Ego – “Moralistic
and Idealistic Principle”
THE SELF FROM A
PSYCHOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

WJ-MISS
William
James
Material Self,
I self
Social Self
Spiritual Self
 William James
• The self is the totality of all that a
person can call his or hers.
• He divided the Self:
1. “I” – Self-as-subject
▪ Thinking being
2. “Me” – Self-as-object
▪ Object thought by the “I”
 William James
1. 1. The Material Self – the core of Material
Self is BODY.

1. 2. The “I” Self – is the pure EGO. The pure

EGO is similar to the soul or the mind.
 William James
3. The Social Self – is who a person in a
social situation.

4. The Spiritual Self – is a person’s

subjective and most intimate self.
 THE SELF IN
WESTERN AND
ORIENTAL
THOUGHT
THE SELF IN WESTERN THOUGHTS
• Dominated by DUALISM (Body and Soul)
Plato BODY is the prison of the SOUL
Aristotle BODY is the matter which the SOUL
informs
Aquinas & BODY and SOUL are inseparable
Augustine
Rene BODY is different from SOUL/MIND
Descartes
 THE SELF IN WESTERN THOUGHTS
• Human person lives as Shenti = both
body and mind.
Chinese Yin and Yang principle
Zen Human person is composed of a body,
Buddhism soul and a spirit.
Hinduism Believes in continuum of matter and
spirit.
 BRAHMAN

ATMAN

The Hindus goal in life is to reunite the

ATMAN with the BRAHMAN
The ATMAN is eternal and immortal; when you die the
ATMAN lives on, shedding the lifeless body to enter new
one.
 THE ORIENTAL AND WESTERN SELF COMPARED

ORIENTAL WESTERN
Human person is one Human being has
integrated whole. individualistic nature
He/she is also one with Independent part of the
society or universe. universe and the society
Collectivism is strong Individualism is
comparatively stronger.
 UNPACKING THE SELF
Refers to the gradual unfolding of self in which
the six aspect of the self develop in an integrated
and healthy manner.
• Physical Self
• Sexual Self
• Material Self
• Spiritual Self
• Political Self
• Digital Self
 Physical Self
• Refers to the body that
includes basic parts
such as head, neck,
arms and legs.
 • Filipino
nowadays
prefer
“Mestiza/
Mestizo” as
the standard
of beauty.
In general, the body performs its function
least well during infancy and old age.
• One of the most
crucial stage of
development is the
ADOLESCENCE
stage.

• Characterized by
rapidly physical
changes.
 ADOLESCENCE STAGE (Corpuz, et. al., 2020)
Early Adolescence Adolescents would rather tell their
between 11-14 y/o stories to their peers rather than to
their family.
Middle The child demonstrate consistency
Adolescence to achieve their goals in life.
between 15-17 y/o
Late Adolescence They become more concerned of
between 18-24 y/o others rather than, mainly, of
themselves.
 Self Identity
•is a combination of
personality traits,
abilities, physical
attributes, interests,
hobbies, and/or social
roles from your
personal identity
 Self Image
• Refers to the idea one
has of his/her abilities,
appearance and
personality.
 Self Concept
• Is a collection and
construction of an
individual's thoughts,
feelings and beliefs
he/she holds about
himself/herself and the
responses of others
about him/her.
 Self-awareness
•Refers to the extent to
which self-knowledge
is defined, consistent
and currently
applicable to one’s
attitudes and
dispositions.
 Self-esteem
• Refers to how much
you appreciate, value
and like yourself.
• Your self concept
affect your self-
esteem.
 Factors Affecting Growth and Development
Heredity Is the transmission of physical characteristics
from parents to children through their genes
2 biological factors:
1. Nutrition
2. Gender
Intelligence Specifically in emotion, means honestly
evaluating and paying attention to how you feel.
Environment Is observed that a well-nurtured child does better
than a deprived one.
Accidents and incidents that children
experienced may also affect their physical
development.
 Sexual Self
• Comprises a complex
set of schemas that
allow us to understand
and express ourselves
as sexual beings.
 Sex
• Refers to the
biological and
physiological
characteristics that
define men and
women.
How sex is
producaed?

6 TO 7 WEEKS, EMBRYO
IS SEXUALLY
UNDIFFERENTIATED
Sexual Development
• Gonads- at 6 weeks after
fertilization, all embryos
have identical primordial
gonads.
• Internal organs: 3 months in
prenatal period, both
embryo possess same
reproductive ducts. Wolffian
system (male) and
Mullerian system (female).
Puberty Stage
•Secondary sex
characteristics – are
those physical change
that distinguish sexual
maturity in women and
in men.
•Growth hormone –
GnrH or Gonadotropin-
releasing hormone
Are there just two
(2) sexes?
Male
Female
Intersex
Sample of
intersex
 Abnormalities in Sexual Development

• Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome (AIS)

Individuals with AIS have an XY genotype
but develop a female appearance.
 Abnormalities in Sexual Development

• Androgenital Syndrome
• It is due to Congenital
Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH),
an inheritable condition in
which there is increased
level of androgen.
 Abnormalities in Sexual Development

• 5-Alpha Reductase
Deficiency
• The 5-alpha-
dihydrotestosterone is
responsible for
masculinization of the
external organ of the fetus.
 Gender
• Refers to the attitudes,
feelings, and
behaviors that a given
culture associates with
MAMAWA a person’s biological
sex.
 Gender Identity
• Refers to the internal
awareness of where
the individuals belongs
in the feminine and
masculine categories.
 Gender Identity Terminologies
Cisgender Is a male or female that identifies with the sex that was
assigned at birth.
Genderqueer The binary conceptualization of gender, male or female,
does not accurately describe and individuals gendered
outlook or self-concept.
Intersex Described a variety of medical conditions wherein an
individual’s reproductive anatomy or genitals do not fit
the binary definition of male or female.
Transgenderm Female to Man (FtM) - Is a man whose sex is female
an but he lives and identifies as male.
Transgenderw Male to Female (MtF) – is a woman whose sex is male
oman but she lives and identifies as female
 Gender Expression

• The manner by which

people express
themselves and
behave outwardly.
 Sexual Orientation

• Refers to the stable

pattern of attractions
or sexual interest that
one has to a member
of particular sex.
 Sexual Orientation Terminologies
Asexual Refers to absence of physical or sexual attraction to another
human being.
Bisexual Male or female who is attracted to both males and females.

Gay Gay males are self-identified men who are emotionally,

physically, romantically and/or sexually attracted to people who
identify as male.
Lesbian selfiidentified female who are emotionally, physically,
romantically and/or sexually attracted to people who identify as
female
Heterosexual An individual who identifies as either male or female and is
attracted to opposite sex.
Queer It describes an individuals self concept of their sexual
orientation identity.
 Sexual Behavior
• Erogenous zone –
areas in the human
body that have
heightened
sensitivity, can
produces sexual
responses.
 Body Parts Arousal Score (highest first)
Females Males
Clitoris Penis
Vagina Mouth/Lips
Mouth/Lips Scrotum
Nape of neck Inner thigh
Breast Nape of neck
Nipples Nipples
Inner thigh Perineum
Back of neck Pubic hairline
Ears Back of neck
Lower back Ears
 Sexual Response
• Sexual desire is typically
higher in men than in
women (Van Anders, 2012).

• Biological response:
• Vasocongestion
• Myotonia
Vasocongestion – swelling
of bodily tissues in penis,
vagina and nipples

Myotonia – muscle
contraction and tension
that causes spasms of
orgasm and spasms of the
hands and feet.
 Triangle
model of Love
• Intimacy – refers to the couple’s
sense of closeness and the
presence of mutual concern.
• Passion – means romance and
sexual feelings.
• Commitment – means deciding
to enhance and maintain the
relationship.
• Consummate Love – ideal form
of LOVE.
 Sexual Health
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases:
• Gonorrhea
• Syphilis
• Chlamydia
• Trichomoniasis
• HPV or Human
Papillomavirus
• HIV or Human
Immunodeficiency Virus
• HSV or Herpes Simplex Virus
 Material Self
• Refers to our body, as
well as the tangible
objects, places, things
that we describe as
“My” or “Mine”.
 Material Self
• Two subclasses:
• Body self
• Extra-corporeal Self =
Extended self.
 Spiritual Self
• Refers to the real, true or
authentic YOU.
• It is the least explored.
• It is a system that stresses the
idea that a person does not
need formal religion to live a life
of faith.
 Spiritual Self
It includes a sense of
connection to
something bigger than
ourselves, it typically
involves a search for
meaning in life.
 Religion
is the set of beliefs,
feelings, dogmas, and
practices that define
the relations between
people and sacred
beings or divinity.
 Political Self
Is the aspect of the
self that helps
individual to
understand and
function effectively in
society.
 National Identity
It boosts one’s sense of
duty as a citizen of
particular country.
3 Dimensions:
1.Self-categorization
2. Affect
3. Normative Contents
 Filipino Values and Traits

Virgilio Enriquez – Father

of Philippine Psychology.
Kapwa Model Value
4 Categories and
12 Filipino Values.
Reformulated Value System of the Filipino Adolescent, Clemente et al., 2008.
 Digital Self
an aspect of the self
that we present online.
Trolling, cyber bullying, bashing and
shaming are modern terminologies
referring to how seemingly
unimportant people including
strangers have the capacity to create
damage to their victims.
 Digital Self
Self-Presentation – refers
to the act of creating
favorable impression or
the desired image to an
external and internal
audience.
 Learning to be a better Learner
Information-Processing Model – is simple way to visualize
how we acquire information and store and retrieve it.
 Metacognition
Thinking about thinking
Learning to learn.
Being aware of your
own thinking and
learning process.
Person – how you
see yourself as a
learner.
Task – refers to
what you need to
accomplish
Strategy –
includes effective
ways of tackling
learning tasks.
Self Regulation:
1. Adherence – a
young child will do one
thing because he/she is
told to do so.
2. Identification – A
child will do one thing
because he/she likes the
person asking him to do.
3. Internalization –
An individual will do
something because
he/she values it.
 Setting Goals for
Success
Goals should be what
you want your life to be
all about.
Connect your goals to
what are the most
important things to you.
Your purpose
and your goal
should be the
driving forces
in your life.
 Albert Bandura’s
Self-efficacy
Is the belief in one’s
ability or capacity.
4 ways to develop it:
1. Mastery Experience
2. Social Modeling
3. Social Persuasion
4. State of Physiology
 Mastery Experience

• Set a goal and persists.

• We learn when we
continue against difficult
challenges, we
strengthen our belief that
we can succeed and
become better.
 Social Modeling

• Be inspired by people
who have overcome
and succeeded .
• Reading and watching
about their lives can
lead to vicarious
modeling.
 Social Persuasion

• Have a mentor and

cheerleader.
• Surround your life with
people that will lift you
up.
 States of Physiology

• Reflect and learn more

about your emotions
and moods.
• Through reflection and
education, you can
learn to remain
positive even in trying
times.
 Dr. Carol Dweck Growth
Mindset Framework
Two mindsets:
1. Fixed Mindset – makes a
person avoid challenges.
2. Growth Mindset –
enables person to
embrace challenges.
 Locke and Latham
Goal-Setting Theory
Five Goal Setting Principles:
1. Clarity
2. Challenge
3. Commitment
4. Feedback
5. Task Complexity
Taking Charge of One’s
Health and Well-being

Stress is the inability to cope

with a perceived (real or
imagined) threat to someone’s
mental, physical, emotional
and spiritual well-being, which
results in series of
physiological responses and
adaptation (Seaward, 2017).
Strategies for Good Health and Well-being
1.Embrace the positive perspective
2.Laugh and enjoy wholesome humor
3.Establish limits and routine
4.Give time for hobbies
5.Pray and Meditate
Strategies for Good Health and Well-being

6. Reach out to people

7. Listen to music
8. Eat for a healthy immune system
9. Exercise
10. Be with nature
 Taking care of the self:
The need to self-care and compassion

“This is a moment of
suffering. Suffering is a
part of life. May I be
kind to myself. May I
give myself the
compassion I need”
THANK YOU!