Culture - is the unique quality of man that
The Anthropological
Self
ANTHROPOLOGY
- came from “anthropos” for “human” and
“logos”
for study
- a science that deals with cultural and biological
similarities and variations
- study human populations in all periods of time,
in all parts of the world
Anthropology is a holistic multi-faceted study of
human behavior that seeks to understand and
explain what people say and do.
Anthropology is a social science that is
concerned with human culture and the physical
and social characteristics that create culture. It
often compares one group of humans to another.
Different cultures produce different packaging
of The Self.
TERMINOLOGIES
Dialectic - the relationship between two things
that can influence each other; a change in one
requires a change in the other
Dialogical - the mind's ability to imagine the
different opinions of participants if an internal
dialogue, in close connection with external
dialogue (Hermans,1990)
Generalized others - are an individual's concept
of otherpeople; individual's internalized
impression of societal norms and expectations
(Mead, 2007)
Structure - a factor of influence (such as social
class, religion, gender, ethnicity, ability, customs,
etc.) that determines or limits an agent and his or
her decisions
Reflexibility -the capacity of an agent to recognize
forces of socialization that alters their place in the
social structure (William Thomas). A person with
low reflexibility can be shaped
by the environment while a person with high
reflexibility creates their own and is a catalyst for
change in others
separates him from lower animals. It includes
everything man has acquired in his
individual and social life. In the words of Maciver
and Page, culture is the realm of styles, of values,
of emotional attachments, of intellectual
adventures." It is the entire “socialheritage” that
the individual receives from the group.
Anthropology
Definition
The study of human beings and their ancestors
through time in terms of physical character,
environment and social relations and culture. It
can also be known as the scientific and
humanistic
study of human species and their various
diversities.
Specialization
Sociocultural, linguistic, physical, archaeological,
simple, traditional and non-industrialized
societies.
Sociology
Definition
The study of the development, structure,
interaction and behavior of organized groups of
human beings.
Specialization
Social institutions (economic life education,
family, politics and religion), social stratification
(by
age, gender, race, and ethnicity, and social class),
social change and social problems. Focuses on
the complex and modern societies.
What is Culture?
“The cumulative creation of man, and the
handiwork of man and the medium through
which he achieves his ends”
-B. Malinowski
“That complex whole which includes knowledge,
belief, art, morals, law, custom, and any other
capabilities and habits acquired by man as a
member of society.”
-Edward B. Tylor
“Culture is the complex whole that consists of all
the ways we think, and do and everything we
have as members of society.”
-Robert Bierstedt
1. Culture is socially learned; it is not biologically
inherited. There is no cultural instinct that it is an
inborn tendency. It is often called 'learned ways
of
behavior '.
2. Culture is a social product. It does not exist in
isolation nor as an individual phenomenon. It is a
product of society that originated and developed
through social interactions. It is shared by the
members of society.
3. Culture is shared. It is not something that an
individual can possess. All members of a culture
shared set of values, ideas, perceptions, and
standards of behaviors. This does not mean that
everyone within a culture will act and think the
exact same way.
4. Culture is transmissible. It could be
transmitted
from one generation to the next. Parents pass
culture traits to their children, who in turn, pass it
to their own children. Culture is transmitted, not
through genes, but through language.
5. Culture is continuous and cumulative. It exists
as a continuous process. It is cumulative in its
historical growth. It is a “growing whole” which
includes the achievements of the past and the
present and makes provision for the future
achievements of mankind.
6. Culture is consistent and integrated and at the
same time, different parts of culture are
interconnected.
7. Culture is dynamic and adaptive; it is relatively
stable. It is subject to slow and constant changes.
Change, growth, and latent in culture.
Components of Culture
A. Elements of Culture
1. Cognitive elements: Cultures of all societies,
whether pre-literate or literate, include a vast
amount of knowledge about the physical and
social world. The possession of this knowledge is
referred to as the cognitive element.
2. Beliefs are principles or ideas, an acceptance
by the mind that something is true or real, often
underpinned by an emotional or spiritual sense of
certainty.
3. Values and Norms
Values may be defined as measures of goodness
of desirability. They are the conceptions of
relative desirability of things.
Norms are shared rules that specify what is right
or wrong and the inappropriate and appropriate
behavior. Norms can be prescriptive or
proscriptive.
4. Signs: Signs include signals and symbols. A
signal (or
signs) indicates existence- past present and
future- of an event or conditions.
5. Non-normative ways of behaving: Certain
ways of behaving are not compulsory and are
often unconscious. Such patterns do exist.
Non-normative behavior shades over into
normative behavior and
symbolic behavior.
B. Culture Contents
Every society has a culture of its own. Thus,
people in different societies have different
cultures. These
cultures are diverse and unequal. Along with
cultural diversities and disparities found in
societies throughout the world, we observe
certain cultural similarities. People may worship
different gods in many ways, but they all follow a
religion.
C. Cultural Lag
The extent of lag varies according to the nature of
cultural material and may exist for a considerable
number of years. A sudden change in one part of
culture is evident due to some discovery,
invention etc. The maladjustment is the result of
strain as the balance of the ordered structure
breaks down for the time being.
D. Material and Non-material Culture
1. Material culture- Material culture consists of
man-made objects such as tools, implements,
furniture, automobiles, buildings, dams, roads,
bridges, and other physical substances that was
changed and used by man. It is concerned with
the external, mechanical, and utilitarian objects.
It
includes technical and material equipment. It is
referred to as civilization.
2. Non - Material culture. The term 'culture',
ordinarily means 'nonmaterial culture'. It is
internally and intrinsically valuable and reflects
the
inward nature of man. Non-material culture
consists of words the people use, the language
they speak, the beliefs they hold, values and
virtues they cherish, habits they follow, rituals
and practices they do, and the ceremonies they
observe. It also includes customs, tastes, attitudes
outlook, ways of acting, feeling, and thinking.
E. Functions of Culture
Culture is the treasury of knowledge.
Culture defines situations.
Culture defines attitudes, values, and goals.
Culture decides our career.
Culture provides behavior pattern.
Culture molds personality.
Identity and Culture
Identity is the set of characteristics that
somebody recognizes as belonging uniquely to
himself or herself and constituting his or her
individual personality for life. (Encarta, 2009)
Identity is the identification of self, by self and
others (Erikson, 1950). It came to be understood
as the historically and culturally rooted self-
image of a group that was predominantly
sketched and sharpened in contact vis-a-vis other
groups of people (Van-M eiil,2008).
Independent and Interdependent
Construal of The Self
Markus and Kitayama (1991) defined The Self in
terms of internal attributes such as traits,
abilities, values, and preferences which are
descriptive of the independent construal of The
Self.
On the other hand, the interdependent construal
of The Self is defined in terms of relationships
with others.
The Self and Social Connotation of
Emotion
Socially disengaged emotions separate the self
from social relationships while the socially
engaged emotions further assimilate the self in
the relationship.
Key Concepts of the Individual, Self,
Person in Anthropology
▪ Individual as member of human kind
(biologistic)
▪ Self as locus of experience (psychologistic)
▪ Person as agent-in-society (sociologistic)
Other Important Concepts in
Understanding the Self as a Cultural
Construct
Culture Universals
• Features and elements common to all culture.
• Similarities in the general features of society,
rather than the particular or specific culture
traits.
Cultural Diversity
Refers to the wide range of differences in cultural
patterns, ideas, beliefs, knowledge, forms of
social organization, and practical responses to the
environment.
Factors that promote Cultural Diversity
Environment
Isolation
Technology
Diffusion
Cultural Themes
OTHER IMPORTANT TERMS RELATED TO
THE CONCEPT OF SELF AS A CULTURAL
CONSTRUCT
Cultural Relativism
States the cultures differ, so that a cultural trait,
act, or idea has no meaning or functions by itself
but has a meaning only within its cultural setting.
Ethnocentrism
- refers to the tendency to see the behaviors,
beliefs, values, and norms of one’s group as the
only right way of living and to judge others by
those standards. It is the belief in the inherent
superiority of one's own ethnic group or culture.
Xenocentrism
Refers to the idea that what is foreign is best and
that one’s lifestyle, products or ideas are inferior
to those of others.
Subculture
Refers to smaller groups which develop norms,
values, beliefs, and special languages which
make them distinct from the broader society.
Counterculture/Contra-culture
Refers to subgroups whose standards come in
conflict with and oppose the conventional
standards of the dominant culture.
Culture Shock
Refers to the feeling of disbelief, disorganization,
and frustration one experiences when he
encounters cultural patterns or practices different
from his.
Noble savage mentality
Refers to the evaluation of one’s culture and that
of others based on the romantic notion that the
culture and way of life of the primitives of other
simple culture is better, more acceptable, and
more orderly.
Approaches in Analyzing Culture
It involves understanding its major values and
norms, seeing how these are reflected in social
behavior, and perhaps studying the way in which
the values and norms shape and are shaped by
the material culture.
1. Functionalist Approach
❑ Sees a particular trait as existing because it
serves as an important social function.
❑ Cultural trait- simplest unit or element of
culture.
❑ Culture complex- is a system of interrelated
traits that function together as a unit.
❑ Culture pattern - is a specific and enduring
system of trait complexes.
2. Ideological Approach
❑ This approach tries to find out which groups
support which ideas, values, and so on, and for
what reasons.
❑ Ideologywhen idea, value, norm, or other
culture trait works to the advantage of one group
for any reason.
3. Ecological Approach
❑ Compares the social structure of different
societies that have the same level of hunting
technology. –Julian Steward (1955)
❑ Ecology- the study of relationship between
organisms and their environment.
❑ Cultural ecologyculture traits are shaped by the
resources and limitations of the surrounding
environment and by the changes in that
environment.
Symbolic Uses of Culture
1. Culture of Opulence
2. Culture of Corruption
3. Culture of Silence
4. Culture of Sabotage
5. Pop Culture
6. Culture of Apathy
7. Culture of Conspicuous Consumption
8. Culture of Exploitation and Dehumanization
9. Culture of Poverty
Culture of Opulence- refers to the ways of life of
the rich and the famous in their world of glitz and
Glamour.
Culture of Conspicuous Consumption - refers to
the ways and practices of the super rich in buying
goods and obtaining services in excess of what
they can actually consume and use.
Pop Culture - refers to popular ways, practices ,
and interest of contemporary society.
Culture of Corruption- refers to the established
patterns of illegally amassing wealth and
obtaining
power or concessions in the government or
private
office.
Culture of silence- refers to the individual or
group
attitude to keep silent as a resigned response to
authority
Culture of Apathy - refers to the prevalent
inaction, indifference, lack of emotion and
interest of the people in regard to the issues and
concerns which need attention and resolution.
Culture of Sabotage – refers to deliberate action
aimed at weakening a polity or corporation
through subversion, obstruction, disruption or
destruction.
Culture of Exploitation and Dehumanization-
refers to the socially entrenched patterns of
abusive and exploitative practices by the
moneyed and power – wielding members of the
society against the culturally deprived and
materially disadvantaged group of the society.
Culture of Poverty - refers to the learned ways of
life of the poor, a vicious cycle of deprivation and
want transmitted from one generation to the next
Psychological Self
Major Perspective of Psychology
1) The Psychodynamic Perspective
2) The Behavioral Perspective
3) The Cognitive Perspective
4) The Humanistic Perspective
5) The Neuroscience Perspective
Psychodynamic or Psychoanalytic
Perspective
Psychodynamic perspective is an approach
emphasizing the interaction of the emotional and
motivational forces that affect behavior and
mental states, especially on a subconscious level
Psychoanalysis a psychological theory and
therapeutic method developed by Sigmund
Freud,
based on the ideas that mental life functions on
both conscious and unconscious levels and that
childhood events have a powerful psychological
influence throughout life. (Encarta, 2009)
Psychodynamic Perspective
Proponents argued that behavior is motivated by
inner forces and conflicts about which we have
little awareness.
Helped treat and understand some psychological
disorders.
Also helps us understand everyday phenomena
like prejudice and aggression.
Examples of this would be dreams and slips of the
tongue: indications of what a person is truly
feeling within an unconscious psychic activity.
Originated by Sigmund Freud
Neuroscience Perspective
Considers how people and nonhumans function
biologically: how individual nerve cells are joined
together, how the inheritance of certain
characteristics from parents and other ancestors
influences behavior, how the function of the body
affects hopes and fears, which behaviors are
reflexive, and so forth.
Includes the study of heredity and evolution.
Considers how heredity may influence behavior,
and behavioral neuroscience, which examines
how the brain and the nervous system affect
behavior.
Advances in methods for examining the anatomy
and functioning of the brain have permitted the
neuroscientific perspective to extend its influence
across a broad range of subfields in psychology.
Behavioral Perspective
In contrast to the neuroscience and
psychodynamic approaches, grew out of a
rejection of psychology's early emphasis on the
inner workings of the mind. It is an approach to
the study of psychology that concentrates
exclusively on observing, measuring, and
modifying behavior.
Behaviorists suggested that the field should focus
on observable behavior that can be measured
objectively.
John B. Watson - first major American
psychologist to advocate a behavioral approach.
Believed that it was possible to elicit any desired
type of behavior by controlling a person's
environment.
Has made contributions in such diverse areas as
treating mental disorders, curbing aggression,
resolving sexual problems, and ending drug
addiction.
The 3 Major Types of Behavioral Learning
Classical Conditioning
A neutral stimulus is associated with a natural
response.
Operant Conditioning
A response is increased or decreased due to
reinforcement or punishment.
Observational Learning
Learning occurs through observation and
imitation of others
Cognitive Perspective
Focuses on how people think, understand, and
reason about the world.
Learning how people internally comprehend and
represent the outside world and how our ways of
thinking about the world influence our behavior.
Psychologists compare human thinking to the
workings of a computer, which takes in
information and transforms, stores, and retrieves
it. They look at this as information processing.
The common elements that link cognitive
approaches emphasizes on how people
understand and think about the world and an
interest in describing the patterns and
irregularities in the operation n of their mind.
Humanistic Perspective
Suggests that all individuals naturally strive to
grow, develop, and be in control of their lives and
behavior.
Central figures in the development:
Carl Rogers
Abraham Maslow
The notion of free will stands in contrast to
determinism, which sees behavior as caused, or
determined, by things beyond a person's control.
People will strive to reach their full potential if
they are given the opportunity to do so.
Emphasis is based on free will, which is the ability
to freely make decisions about one's own
behavior and life.
The Self as a Psychological Construct
according to Selected Psychologists
The cornerstone of human behavior is the SELF. In
psychology, the Self is defined as the way a
person thinks and perceives his or her traits,
beliefs, and purposes in the environment he or
she lives in. It is our sense of personal identity of
who we are as individuals.
William James' duality theory of self could be
categorized into the self as an agent that
observes, which is referred to as the perceiver,
the "I;“ and the person's mental picture of self as
an object that can be observed, the "Me.
The Nature of the Self
William James defined a basic duality of the self:
it is both the known, "Me," or self-concept (our
knowledge of who we are), and the knower, "I,"
or self- awareness (the act of thinking about
ourselves).
George Herbert Mead also developed the
concept of self, he explained that one's identity
emerges from external and social interactions and
internal feelings of one's self. Self is not evident at
birth,
but it emerges over time through language, play,
and games as discussed in Topic 2, the Social Self.
Self is truly dynamic and intricate. According to
James and Mead, who we are refers to our actual
self, and it is the balance of both the 'me' and the
'I'.
I perceive ourselves as either arrogant or kind or
The subjective knower
Response to the me
Thinks about what those things mean
The doer, experiencer
The individual's identity
The self that knows who they are and what they
have done in their life
Pure ego
The "Thinking Self"
ME
The object that is known
The "Social Self"
How we believe the generalized "other" sees us
Learn through interactions with others
The "Narrative Self"
The society's view
Describing their personal experiences
Empirical "me
REAL Self and IDEAL Self
Humanistic Psychologist, Carl Rogers, was
the proponent of the Self Theory. He believed
that Self is the humanistic term for who we
really are as a person. This is made of many
perceptions and personality characteristics
that are consistent with one another. To be
aware of one's self is to have a concept of
oneself, or otherwise known as SELFCONCEPT.
Self-image (how you see yourself)
Self-image influences how an individual thinks,
feels, and behaves in an environment. However, it
does not necessarily indicate reality. We might
beautiful or ugly. A person's selfimage is
influenced by many factors, such as physical
characteristics, personality traits, parental
influences, and social roles.
Example: Carla, an 80-year-old grandmother,
believes that she is still strong and alert, but in
reality, she is quite weak and clumsy.
A teenage girl looks thin, but in reality, may have
a selfimage of being obese.
Self-Esteem / Self-Worth (how much value you
place on yourself)
This includes how we compare ourselves to
others
and how others respond to us. If we receive a
positive response, we are more likely develop
positive self-esteem, and if others perceive us as
inadequate, our self¬-esteem is negatively
affected.
2 Kinds of Selves
Real self - represents actual experiences about
what and who we really are, how we think, and
how we feel and act; it makes us most
comfortable
by simply being us.
Ideal self - our conception of who we want to be
and what we want to become. It consists of our
goals and ambitions in life and is dynamic.
If your ideal-self characteristics are close to your
real-self characteristics, then, you are consistent
or congruent, thus, you have a higher sense of
selfworth and you are more likely to have a
healthier self-esteem.
A person is said to be in a state of incongruence if
some of the totality of their experience is
unacceptable to them and is denied or distorted
in the self-image. For example, the act of lying
shows misalignment or incongruence between
real self and ideal self, which may result to mental tangible aspect of the person that can be directly
distress brought by your negative feeling. observed and examined.

TRUE Self and FALSE Self The development of Physical Self commences
during
Dr. Donald W. Winnicott was an English the prenatal period, divided into three stages:
psychoanalyst who introduced the concepts of • the germinal stage,
TRUE SELF and FALSE SELF in human personality. • the embryonic stage, and
• the fetal stage
TRUE SELF - also referred to as authentic self: it
describes the core of who you are, a sense of The Germinal Stage
conscious, instinctive, and authentic experience. • occurs during the first two weeks of
This is the part of you that is aware that, "I, development.
myself, feel this; I, myself, want this," which
makes
the experience uniquely yours, and therefore,
TRUE. At the same time, it is strongly guarded by
the false self and, at first, might be difficult to
reach.

FALSE SELF - also referred to as a social mask and

adapted self: it is a part of self that has modified
behavior, inhibited feelings, and drives your needs
aside to fit in with others. This includes the The Embryonic Stage
values, feelings, and thoughts that are not your
own, which conforms to societal and family
standards.

The Physical Self

Supervenus - A short film submitted to the
Brussels Short Film Festival by Frederic
Doazanand Vandy Roc starts the
conversationabout body type demands placed
onwomen today. Beginning with a
medicaldiagram of a woman, the animated
videoshows a systematic reworking of the female
form that brings our sickest corporeal thoughts to
life.
The Fetal Stage
Physical Self
• refers to the body and pertains to the physical
structure and material substances of a human
being.
• is expressed through behavioral patterns,
sensations, and movement.
• refers to the body, this marvelous container and
complex, finely tuned, machine with which we
interface with our environment and fellow beings.
The Physical Self is the concrete dimension, the

8 PERIODS OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Prenatal Period (Conception to Birth)
• Conception
• Basic body structures and organs form
• Physical growth is most rapid here
• Vulnerability is great
Infancy and Toddlerhood (Birth to Age 3)
• Brain grows
• Rapid Physical Growth
Early Childhood (Ages 3 to 6)
• Growth is steady
• Appetite diminishes
• Handedness appears
Middle Childhood (Ages 6 -11)
• Growth slows down
• Strength and athletic skills improve
• Respiratory illness but health is generally better
Adolescence (Ages 11-20)
• Physical growth are rapid and profound
• Reproductive maturity
• Major health risks arise from behavioral issues
Emerging and Young Adulthood (Ages 20-40)
• Physical conditions peaks, then slightly declines
• Lifestyle choices
Middle Adulthood (Ages 40-65)
• Slow deterioration
• Menopause; Climacteric
Late Adulthood (Ages 65 & over)
• Health and physical abilities generally decline
• Slowing of reaction time
Physical Self - Concept represents a mental image
of one’s own body that is formed in our
minds(Schilder (1999) and is not necessarily
related to the actual physical appearance of an
individual.
Body Image
• Involves two key elements: a mental picture of
one’s physical body (including size, shape, and
appearance) and one’s attitude towards the
physical self (such as thoughts, feelings, and
beliefs about one’s body )Pruzinsky & Cash, 1990;
Grogan, 2008.
• May change and be influenced by several social
factors such as culture, media, and interactions
with family and friends.
• Culture plays an significant role in one’s
perception of body image
• For instance, western countries, specifically
America, emphasizes thinness as an ideal body
size for women (Wiseman, Gray, Mosimann &
Ahrens, 1992).
• On the other hand, American women who
identify as black perceive bigger, thicker, and
more voluptuous figures to be more attractive
(Craig, 2006).
• Meanwhile the eastern countries specifically
China, affirms extreme thinness as an ideal body
even more so than White American (Evans &
McConnel, 2003). – Starved themselves to stay
thin and to win the emperor’s favor (Xu, 1994)
• The Chinese body ideal is trailness and thinness,
rather than plumpness (Leung, Lam, & Sze, 2001).
• According to the World Health Organization
(WHO), there are 1,995 active changes in physical
growth and psychosocial development cause
several several body image problem:
– Eating disorders
– Obesity
– Depression
– Low self-esteem
• Body image dissatisfaction is also correlated
with eating disorders (Furnham, Badmin &
Sneade, 2002).
• Individuals experience different degrees of
positive and negative feeling about their bodies at
different times.
THE SELF AS IMPACTED BY THE BODY
• Without a clearly defined sense of self,
individuals might seek out external sources to
provide coherence to their identity. One such
external source is society’s standards of
attractiveness (i.e., thinness for women,
muscularity for men).
• In the study of Vartanian (2009), women’s self-
concept can play a role in the development of
body image problems by making them vulnerable
to or by buffering them against the internalization
of societal standards of attractiveness.
• Women, but not men, who have low self-
concept clarity are likely to be generally more
conformist, more concerned with public
impressions, and more likely to base their
selfworth on their body weight, and all of these
factors are in turn associated with internalization
of societal standards of attractiveness.
THE IMPACT OF CULTURE ON BODY
IMAGE AND SELFESTEEM
Cultural Traditions Can Shape Body Image
• The Western culture in general for example, is
one that tends to hyper-focus on dieting and body
appearance. Digitally retouched photos are the
norm in which are society is saturated in, and this
mentality can negatively influence an individual’s
body image.
Body Image and Self Esteem
• Body image has been defined as a view of one’s
own overall physical appearance, and is
established as an important aspect of self-worth
and mental health across the life span.
• The internal representation of your own outer
appearance; your own unique perception of your
body
• Body dissatisfaction, on the other hand, is a
person’s negative thoughts about his or her
feelings and these feelings are largely determined
by social experiences, such as media images.
• Although body image is closely related to
sexuality and identity, it can be said to be most
closely related to self-esteem.
• Self-esteem is a feeling of satisfaction that
someone has in himself or herself and his or her
own abilities.
• It is the sum of selfconfidence and self-respect.
The Media’s Portrayal of women
• Media is the most widespread form of mass
communication.
• It has become a conveyor of socio-cultural
values regarding ideal body shape and size, which
creates an understanding of the ideal man and
woman.
• Some of these types include newspapers, books
and magazines, movies, radio, television and the
internet.
• More often than not, women are portrayed as
the ‘thin ideal’ without imperfections.
• Many theorists believe that certain images in
the media have an impact on body image and in
turn, promote low selfesteem.
• Idealized images in the media are recognized as
an important external trigger of body
dissatisfaction.
Media influences and gender difference Females
• The concept that the mass media can affect the
body image and self esteem of girls and women is
not a new phenomenon and has been circling
ever since celebrities, such a pop stars, have
become famous, not for their talents, but for their
looks.
• These ideals are unrealistic, and surveys show
that more than half of women are dieting in order
to attain a perfect body image.
• Objectification Theory - females are prone to
internalize an observer’s perspective as a primary
view of their own physical bodies.
• This theory argues that girls and women subject
their body to constant monitoring, which in turn
leads to body dissatisfaction and sometimes, even
eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia.
Males
• The predominant focus of the research between
negative selfimages and media has been on
women but men can have just as low body image
as women.
• One study showed that muscularity
dissatisfaction in turn was associated with lower
life satisfaction, and lower selfesteem (Cafri,
Strauss & Thompson, 2002)
• Metrosexuality: The New Urban Guy
• Metrosexual - a young, urban, heterosexual
male with liberal political views, an interest in
fashion, and a refined sense of taste.
• Metrosexual is a combinationof metropolitan
and sexual, coined in 1994 describing a man who
is especially meticulous about his grooming and
appearance, typically spending a significant
amount of time and money on shopping as part
of this.
Body image: pre-teens and teenagers
• During adolescence, young people often think a
lot about how their bodies look. They also
compare their bodies with others. A positive
teenage body image is
an important part of healthy selfesteem, and
adults can help adolescents to think and feel
positively about his body.
• money on shopping as part of this.
Effects of unhealthy teenage body image
• Unhealthy teenage body image is directly
related to low self-esteem, which can lead to
negative moods
and mood swings.
• Young people who are feeling down are more
likely to focus on the negative messages around
them and make negative comparisons between
their bodies and what they see as ‘ideal’ bodies.
• Low self-esteem and poor body image are risk
factors
for the development of risky weight loss
strategies, eating disorders and mental health
disorders like depression.
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEAUTY
• Physical beauty is extremely important and all
studies have shown that people judge each other
based on their physical looks at least until they
start to know each other well.
10 Reasons Why Physical Appearance Is
So Important: Why One Needs to Look
Good?
1. To impress people in social situations.
2. To look one’s best in work place, where one
deals with the public. For example, film stars have
to look gorgeous and handsome.
3. One feels good if one looks good.
4. A physically attractive person attracts a lot of
people.
5. It helps in building up relationships. A
handsome boy attracts a lot of girls. Similarly,
even girls, who are beautiful, are much sought
after.
6. Physical appearance does matter in a
relationship. In a marriage, the partners need to
take care of themselves physically in order to
sustain their relationship. Many women face
marital problems as they go out of shape after
having children. Those women who take care of
their physical appearance have better rapport
with their partner.
7. It boosts self-confidence and self-esteem. One
feels very reassured when other people admire
them and prefer to associate with them as they
find them very attractive. In certain professions
looks make a lot of difference. A model has to
look his or best. A good looking salesperson can
get noticed quickly.
8. A pleasing face is nice to look at. People like to
relax in the presence of beautiful things. A
pleasant face can relax the mind. Those with an
aesthetic sense like to admire beautiful people
and things.
9. An attractive physical appearance enhances
personality. It is an added advantage.
10. A physically attractive person, who is well-
groomed, can impress upon people. A handsome
politician can draw the attention of the masses,
although, of course, he also has to be man of
substance. For example, former president John F.
Kennedy was known for his looks, although he
was an astute politician as well. Looks enhanced
his public image
Individuals with Healthy Body Image
– are aware of good things about their
bodies;
– are comfortable with their bodies; and
– accept that bodies come in different
shapes
– and sizes
Individuals with unhealthy Body Image
– are uncomfortable with their bodies;
– think a lot about how they see themselves and
are preoccupied of what other people may say or
think about them;
– are fixated on perceived physical imperfections;
and
– Have unrealistic goals regarding weight and size
• A healthy and positive body image boosts
selfesteem and allows an individual to reach
his/her highest
potential.
• Unhealthy and negative body image lowers self
esteem and confidence
HOW TO IMPROVE BODY IMAGE
• One of the best way to feel good about your
body is to work hard at keeping a healthy lifestyle
by:
– exercising
– eating nutritious food
– maintaining a positive attitude towards yourself
• Building a healthy body image and positive self-
esteem entails perseverance because it takes time
to become confident.
• Self-awareness and learning new skills and
talents will ameliorate body image.
10 Steps to Positive Body Image
1. Appreciate all that your body can do. Every day
your body carries you closer to your dreams.
Celebrate all of the amazing things your body
does for you— running, dancing, breathing,
laughing, dreaming, etc.
2. Keep a top-ten list of things you like about
yourself—things that aren’t related to how much
you weigh or what you look like. Read your list
often. Add to it as you become aware of more
things to like about yourself.
3. Remind yourself that “true beauty” is not
simply skin deep. When you feel good about
yourself and who you are, you carry yourself with
a sense of confidence, self-acceptance, and
openness that makes you beautiful regardless of
whether you physically look like a supermodel.
Beauty is a state of mind, not a state of your
body.
4. Look at yourself as a whole person. When you
see yourself in a mirror or in your mind, choose
not to focus on specific body parts. See yourself
as you want others to see you–as a whole person.
5. Surround yourself with positive people. It is
easier to feel good about yourself and your body
when you are around others who are supportive
and who recognize the importance of liking
yourself just as you naturally are.
6. Shut down those voices in your head that tell
you your body is not “right” or that you are a
“bad” person. You can overpower those negative
thoughts with positive ones. The next time you
start to tear yourself down, build yourself back up
with a few quick affirmations that work for you.
7. Wear clothes that are comfortable and that
make you feel good about your body. Work with
your body, not against it.
8. Become a critical viewer of social and media
messages. Pay attention to images, slogans, or
attitudes that make you feel bad about yourself or
your body. Protest these messages: write a letter
to the advertiser or talk back to the image or
message.
9. Do something nice for yourself-- something
that lets your body know you appreciate it. Take a
bubble bath, make time for a nap, find a peaceful
place outside to relax.
10. Use the time and energy that you might have
spent worrying about food, calories, and your
weight to do something to help others.
Sometimes reaching out to other people can help
you feel better about yourself and can make a
positive change in our world.
SELF –ESTEEM
• Reflects and individual’s overall subjective
emotional evaluation of his orher own worth
• Attitude towards self
• Encompasses beliefs about oneself
FOUR MAJOR FACTORS THAT INLFUENCE
SELF – ESTEEM
1.The reaction of others
2.Comparison with others
3.Social Roles
4.Identification
Why is Self Esteem important?
A good self – esteem is important because
– it helps us keep a positive disposition on life
– allows us to be proud of who we are
– exudes confidence
– establishes better relationships with people
– Finds life as gratifying and meaningful
 A girl has a favorite dress that she wears. The
MATERIAL SELF dress itself is not part of the self, instead it is the
sense of appropriation present in the phrase “ my
AND ECONOMIC favorite dress”. This is what extended self means.
It includes all people, places, and things that we
SELF regard as ours.
• Individuals who were asked to describe
MATERIAL SELF themselves tend to mention their possessions
• It is one of the components of self . Our body is and assets. (Gordon, 1968)
the innermost part of the material self in each of • Possessions' symbolic function is that they help
us (William James, 1890) define themselves. The way we dress and carry
• A man’s Self is the total that he can call his; ourselves , the cars we drive, and how we
which is not only his body and his psychic powers embellish our abodes signal to others and
but also his: ourselves who we think we are and how we want
Clothes House to be regarded. When one' identity is densely
Wife Children threatened, an individual will be inclined to
Friends Ancestors acquire more material possessions. To widen
Reputation and work one's sense of self, individuals tend to accrue
Lands and bank accounts material possessions ( Satre1943)
• The material self refers to tangible objects, • A series of investigations on the mere
people, or places that carry the designation my or ownership effect provides further evidence that
mine. possessions
become part of the extended self (Beggan, 1992).
TWO SUBCLASSES OF MATERIAL SELF:
1. BODILY SELF Two types of investment which people
2. EXTRACORPOREAL SELF (BEYOND THE might shop to gain happiness and
BODY) – EXTENDED SELF satisfaction (Gilovich,2003)

BODILY SELF 1. MATERIAL PURCHASES -are those made with

• These are entities that are clearly described as the primary intention of acquiring tangible
an intimate part of who we are. It is concerned possessions that can be physically retained in
with awareness of one’s bodily states. one's possession.
Example: arms and legs 2. EXPERIENTIAL PURCHASES-are those made
A person may express, “my arms feel heavy” or with the primary intention of acquiring life
“my skin feels warm.” However , our sense of self experiences such as an event or series of events
is not only limited to our bodies; that one encounters and
lives through.
EXTRACORPOREAL SELF
• EXTENDED SELF INCLUDES MATERIAL PURCHASES
– Other people • Material possessions might fulfill personally
– Pets relevant goals and increase happiness for the
– Possessions highly materialistic consumer. On the other hand,
– Places experiential purchases might make materialistic
– Products of our labors people happier for theycan also benefit having
successful social relationship (Gilovich,2004).
it is not the PHYSICAL ENTITIES rather it is our • O'Guinn and Faber (1989) found that some
PSYCHOLOGICAL OWNERSHIP aspects of materialism were related to
compulsive buying disorder.
• EXAMPLE:
Role of consumer culture on self
• Culture is a crucial factor in determining
consumer behavior; it is a shared belief among a
group of people in a place and time. Consumers
are conditioned to
develop self-concepts that are appropriate to
their age, gender, and social groupings.
Categories of Consumer behavior's self-
concept Sirgy (1982)
1. self image (how they seethemselves)
2. ideal self-image (how they would like to see
themselves)
3. social self-image ( how they feel others see
them )
4. ideal social self -image ( how they would like
others to see them)
• This implies that individuals are highly
dependent on consumption to communicate
themselves. As consumers they buy products and
brands that they believe possesses symbolic
images that are similar and
complimentary to their self -image to achieve
image congruence (Scott,1988). Levy (1959)
concluded
that people don't just buy things for their
benefits, they also buy it for what it means to
them.
• For the material self, objects helped make the
person but they also showed what that person
was made of. It meansthe use and display of
wealth remains powerful and controversial, and
nowhere more so than for the super rich.
-Luxury has evolved throughout history
because of change in the value systems
and cultural contexts.
- Luxury can be a sign of distinction.
-It can be a commodity.
“I shop therefore I am”
• Initiated by Barbara Kruger, an american artist
whose pop art often deals with consumerism and
feminism.
• Barbara’s statement stemmed from Descartes’
philosophy of “I think therefore I am”.
• The primary way of that people relate to each
other is as consumers.
• For instance, people show their love by
spending money on each other
• Commerce, while not being everything, is
strongly present in most, if not all, important
aspects of life, and thus shape those aspects in its
image
Economic self
- consists of one's economic activity that results
from individual self interest.
1. Why do you go to work?
2. Why do you go to school?
Being self-interested simply means that you seek
your own personal gain.
1. You go to work because you want to get paid,
so that you can buy the things you want.
2. You go to school to get a respectable job
someday and earn more money to buy the things
you want.
• In fact, most of the economic activities we see
around us are results of self interested behavior.
• What do you need?
• What do you want?
NEEDS
• Needs- refers to an individual's basic
requirement that must be fulfilled in order to
survive.
• Nature: limited
• What is it? Something you must have
• Represents: Necessity
• Survival: Essential
• Change: May remain constant over time
• Non Fulfiiment: May result in onset of disease
or even death.
WANTS
• Wants- are described as the goods and services
that an individual would want to have as a part of
his caprices.
• Nature: Unlimited
• What is it? Something you wish to have
• Represents: Desire
• Survival: Inessential
• Change: May change over time
• Non Fulfillment : May result in disappointment
“By shopping, people validate their own sense of
who they wish they were”

Advantages of shopping
1. Long life for Sale
2. Relaxation and escape
3. Social connection
4. The pleasure boost of creativity and aesthetics
Disadvantages of shopping
1. May lead to compulsive buying
2. People lifestyles may change from simplicity to
lavishness full of material comforts.
3. May serve as a distraction to avoid other
important issues.
The role of consumer culture in one’s
identity
• Previous studies have emphasized the
significance of self-concept and consumer
preference, as purchases made by consumers
were directly influenced by the image individuals
had of themselves.
• Self-image congruity the process of consumers
purchasing products/brands that they perceived
as possessing symbolic images similar to the
image they hold of themselves.
• The greater the congruity between human
characteristics that exhibit consumers’ senses of
self and the characteristics that depicted a brand,
the greater the consumers’ preferences were for
the brand (Sung, Choi & Tinkman, 2012).
SEXUAL SELF
SEX
2 Main Definitions:
1. Two major forms of individual distinguishing
as male or female.
2. Physical activity that is related to a often
includes sexual intercourse.
Sexual Self - Concept refers to the totality of
oneself as a sexual being, including positive and
negative feelings.
9 sub-topics that are related to SEXUAL
SELF
1. Human Sexuality
2. Development of Secondary Sex Characteristics
3. Human Reproductive System
4. Erogenous Zones
5. Chemistry of Beauty, Desire, Attraction, Lust,
Love or Attachment
6. Dynamics of the Human Sexual Response,
Biology or Diversity of Sexual Behaviors
7. Sex as a Divine Gift
8. Sexually-Transmitted Infections(STI)
9. Responsible Parenting
1. Human Sexuality
Sexuality – the quality or state of being
sexual
- Psychologically, it is the means to express the
fullness of love between a man and a woman.
- Biologically, is the means through which a child
is conceived and the lineage is passed on to the
next
Generation.
- a multidimensional, multifaceted expression
of one’s unique sensuality, intimacy, sexual
identity, and sexualization.
3 DIMENSIONS of Human Sexuality
1. Biological – Human Anatomy & Physiology,
Genetic Influence, Physical Maturation
2. Psychological – Sexual Identity, Parenting,
Developmental task.
3. Socio-cultural – Cultural Belief System &
Values,
Religious/Socioeconomic Influence, Education,
and Mass Media.
Variables delineated by American
Psychological Association
a. Gender Identity – individuals’ concepts of
themselves.
Sexual Identity- refers to how one thinks about
himself/herself in terms of whom he/she is
sexually & romantically attracted to as defined
by his/her biological sex & gender.
SEX – determined by virtue of one’s physical
anatomy.
GENDER – socially determined like being
masculine or feminine.
b. Sexual Orientation – enduring pattern of
attraction to persons of the opposite sex, same
sex, or to both sexes.
*Asexual – not sexually attracted to anyone
*Androphilic – those who are attracted to males
*Gynophilic – attracted to female
C. Sexual behavior – refers to sexual activity or
expression
D. Gender Role – adherence to cultural norms for
feminine and masculine behavior.
2. DEVELOPMENT OF SECONDARY SEX
CHARACTERISTICS
Puberty – is the process of physical changes
through which a child’s body matures into an
adult body capable of sexual reproduction.
Primary Sex Characteristics – anatornical traits
essential to reproduction. (Ex. Sex Organs)
Secondary Sex Characteristics – physical traits
that
are not essential to reproduction but are
influenced by male and female hormones.
Physical changes that occur during
puberty in boys
1. Broadening of chest and shoulders
Onset of puberty brings many physical changes in
boys. Their chest and shoulders broaden and
their muscles start to develop.
2. Deepening of voice and appearance of facial
hair
The voice gets deeper. Hair begins to grow on the
face that later develop into moustache and
beard.
3. Appearance of body hair and pubic hair
Hair begins to grow on the chest, in the armpits,
hands, legs and in the groin area. Hair in the
groin region is called pubic hair.
4. Increase in size of genitals
The penis and the testicles grow bigger in size.
5. Growth spurt
During puberty boys experience a rapid growth in
height over a span of 2 to 3 years. This rapid
growth in height is called growth spurt.
6. Ability to ejaculate
Boys become capable of ejaculating which is
ejection of semen through the penis. The first
ejaculation marks the attainment of sexual
maturity in a boy’s life.
Physical changes that occur during
puberty in girls
1. Development of breasts
Between the ages of 8-13 years, girls start
developing breasts. Morphologically (that is in
terms of form and shape), breasts look like a
cone with the base at the chest wall and the apex
at the nipple. It is possible that one of the breasts
grows faster than the other but by the time the
breasts are fully developed the differences in
their shape and size are reduced. For a majority
of girls there
is a small difference in shape and size of the two
breasts which is permanent and is totally normal.
The size of the breasts and the time when it
starts to grow also varies on an individual basis.
2. Appearance of hair in the armpit
During puberty, hair begins to grow in your arm
pits.
3. Widening of hips and appearance of pubic hair
Through the years of puberty, the hips of a girl
widen and hair begins to grow in the genital
region. Hair in the genital region is known as
pubic hair.
4. Growth spurt
During puberty girls experience a sharp growth in
their height. This is known as growth spurt. By
the time she is 16 years old, she attains about
98% of the final height that she will eventually
grow to.
5. Onset of menstruation
Menstruation is a process in which a sexually
mature girl's or a woman's body releases of a
small amount of blood and tissue through her
vagina. Menstruation is a normal process that
every healthy and sexually mature girl and
woman
undergo generally once every month. First
occurrence of menstruation is called menarche
and it marks the age when girls become sexually
mature. Generally menarche occurs between the
ages of 9 and 14 years and varies on an individual
basis.
(Cleveland Clinic)
Appearance of SSC *Female Reproductive System (External
structure):
Thelarche – refers to the changes in breast, -Clitoris
scrotum and testes. -Labia minora
Adrenarche – where pubic and/or underarm hair -Labia majora
appears. -Bartholin’s glands
Menarche – first menstrual flow. *Female Reproductive System (Major internal
Gonadarche – where the growth of ovaries in organs):
girls and testes in boys. -Vagina and uterus
-ovaries

The vagina is attached to the uterus through the

3. The Human Reproductive System
cervix and the fallopian tubes connect the uterus
to the ovaries.
*The reproductive system in both genders work
hand in hand for procreation
*Fertilization occurs if a sperm enters the
*In doing so, the perpetuation and proliferation
fallopian tube and burrows into the egg
of the human species continues
*Usually, the fertilization occurs in the oviducts,
but it can also happen in the uterus itself
*(Merck Manuals)
*Then, the egg implants itself in the lining of the
Male Reproductive System (Two major parts):
uterus and the processes of embryogenesis and
Testes (Testicles)
morphogenesis begins.
Penis

- The penis and urethra belong to both the 4. Erogenous Zones

urinary and reproductive systems
- Scrotum – an external pouch where testes are *Greek word “eros” meaning “to love”
carried *English word “genous” meaning “procreating
and producing”
*Erogenous zones are believed to be the areas of
the human body that are highly sensitive which
may generate:
*Relaxation
*Excitement
*Sexual fantasies
*Sexual arousal
*Various stages of the psychosexual growth and
development also have different erogenous zones
Sigmund Freud's Psychosexual Stages of
Development
of psychosexual development, the individual
develops a strong sexual interests. This stage
begins during puberty but lasts throughout the
rest of a person's life.

The Oral Stage

*Age Range: Birth to 1 Year
*Erogenous Zone: Mouth
*During the oral stage, the infant's primary
source of interaction occurs through the mouth,
so the rooting and sucking reflex is especially
important.

The Anal Stage

*Age Range: 1 to 3 years
*Erogenous Zone: Anal region (anus & urethra)
*During the anal stage, Freud believed that the
primary focus of the libido was on controlling Erogenous Zones on the Human Body
bladder and bowel movements. The major
conflict at this stage is toilet training--the child
has to learn to control his or her bodily needs.
Developing this control leads to a sense of
accomplishment and independence.

The Phallic Stage

*Age Range: 3 to 6 Years
*Erogenous Zone: Genitals
*Freud suggested that during the phallic stage,
the primary focus of the libido is on the genitals.
At this age, children also begin to discover the
differences between males and females.

The Latent Stage

*Age Range: 6 to Puberty
*Erogenous Zone: no specific erogenous zone
(Sexual Feelings Are Inactive)
*During this stage, the superego continues to
develop while the id's energies are suppressed.
Children develop social skills, values and
relationships with peers and adults outside of the
family.
*The latent period is a time of exploration in
which the sexual energy repressed or dormant.

The Genital Stage

*Age Range: Puberty to Death 5. Chemistry of Beauty, Desire,
*Erogenous Zone: Genitals Attraction, Lust, Love or
*The onset of puberty causes the libido to Attachment
become active once again. During the final stage
Beauty criterion we set on who we would find
beautifu or handsome.
- Each of us has unique and personal
druthers
about beauty
- “Beauty is altogether in the eyes of the
beholder”
- Scientific social science researches on
human behaviors found that beauty,
desire, attraction, lust, love, and
attachment have scientific explanations
- All these tend to be founded on biology
and hormones
*We all know that the dynamics of love can be
explained biologically through the chemistry and
interplay of hormonal releases, and there is a
known biological formula of love.
Three (3) components of romantic love:
- Lust
- Attraction
- Attachment
- (Dr. Helen Fisher of Rutgers and a team of
scientists)
- Each component is characterized by its
own set
biogenic amines or hormones that emanate from
the brain
Testosterone
- primary male sex hormone
- an anabolic steroid
- plays a key role in the development of
male reproductive tissues such as testes
and prostate
- promotes secondary sexual characteristics
such as increased muscle and bone mass,
and the growth of body hair.
Estrogen
- primary female sex hormone
- responsible for the development and
regulation of the female reproductive
system and secondary sex characteristics
Dopamine
- is released when we do things that feel
good to us
- include spending time with loved ones
and having sex
Norepinephrine
- is released during attraction
- this chemical makes us giddy, energetic,
and euphoric, even leading to decreased
appetite and insomnia – which means you
actually can be so “in love” that you can’t
eat and can’t sleep
Serotonin
- a hormone that’s known to be involved in
appetite and mood
Oxytocin
- known also as the love hormone
- provokes feelings of contentment,
calmness, and security, which are often
associated with mate bonding
Vasopressin
- is linked to behavior that produces long-
term, monogamous relationship
6. Dynamics of the Human Sexual
Response, Biology or Diversity of
Sexual Behaviors
- William Masters and Virginia Johnson
conducted a longitudinal research on the
human sexual response cycle
 - Result: more than 10,000 cycles of sexual
arousal for 12 years
- The human sexual response starts when
the hypothalamus stimulates the
production of the sex steroids,
testosterone (male) and estrogen(female)
- These hormones increase libido (enhances
sexual desire)
- The human sexual response is also
affected by dopamine which is also
produced by the hypothalamus
Dopamine is released when things are gleeful
High-level release of dopamine and
norepinephrine includes:
- Spending time with loved ones
- Being close to them in casual meetings
These conditions facilitate the experience of
attraction towards an endeared person
It also renders one to behave as intensely “in
love” and may even make one sleepless and
unable to eat
- It was revealed that attraction led to
deficient releases of exogenously
produced serotonin
*These hormones are involved in sexual
behaviors, social recognitions, and stress
responses, which acquired them the term
“peptides of love and fear”
7. Sex as a Divine Gift
Hansel and Rose Dwight
- states that one often tends to be engrossed
with the physical aspects of sexuality, without
knowing that everything we do are all reflections
of our sexuality and is related to how we see
ourselves.
Love of Intimacy
1.Courtesy
2.Acceptance
3.Caring
4.Trust
5.Affection
6. Sensuality
7.Genital Intimacy
8. SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED
INFECTION
- An infection passed from one person to another
person through sexual contact.
- An infection is when a bacteria, virus, or parasite
enters and grows in or on your body

Serotonin: HOW CAN SOMEONE GET AN STI?

- A hormone that heralds one’s appetite • Vaginal Sex
and mood or emotional disposition • Anal Sex
- The forerunner of the feeling of inevitable • Oral Sex
infatuation • Transmission from a mother to baby during
- Signals the beginning of love and childbirth
attachment • Skin to skin contact
• Sharing Equipment
Oxytocin and Vasopressin
- Were known for their functions in labor, WHO GETS STIs?
childbirth, milk production, and blood - Young people ages 15-24 years Old
pressure dynamics - Long-term travelers
- Were also known for their roles in - Sex Workers
maternal-infant bonding and closeness - People who experience Sexual
(induces a trusting relationship and Molestation
cooperation between mother and child)
3 TYPES OF STI
1.Bacterial STIs
2.Parasitic STIs • Can cause serious damage to the body if not
3.Viral STIs cured, including death
• Passed along by having unprotected oral, anal
or vaginal sex
• Condoms can help prevent the spread of
syphilis during vaginal or anal sex
• Condoms or dental dams can be used for
protection during oral sex
• Syphilis produces a wide range of symptoms
that are often confused with other illnesses
• Some people have no symptoms at all
• The infection can be cured antibiotics
• A person can get the infection again, so their
partners should also be tested

Remember syphilis is CURABLE!

Chlamydia
• Among the most common bacterial STIs in the
world
• Passed by having unprotected oral, anal or
vaginal sex
• Condoms can help prevent the spread of
chlamydia during vaginal/anal sex
• Condoms or dental dams can be used for
protection during oral sex
• Most people have no symptoms
• The infection can be cured with a single dose of
antibiotics
• A person can get the infection again, so their
partners should also be tested.

Remember chlamydia is CURABLE!

Gonorrhea
• Sexually transmitted bacterial infection
• Passed along by having unprotected oral, anal
or vaginal sex
• Condoms can help prevent the spread of
gonorrhea during vaginal or anal sex
• Condoms or dental dams can be used for
protection during oral sex
• Most people have no symptoms
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
• The infection can be cured with antibiotics
• A person can get the infection again, so their
- Very contagious virus
partners should also be tested
- Some people never get symptoms
- HPV is spread through skin to skin contact,
Remember gonorrhea is CURABLE!
oral, anal and vaginal sex with an infected
partner
Syphilis
- Some types cause genital warts and other
• Rare sexually transmitted bacterial infection
types can cause of the cervix
 The best way to prevent an STI is to not have
Treatment vaginal, oral or anal.
- Treatments remove warts but does not
remove the virus from the blood. Practice
- Most warts will clear over time. ABSTINENCE.
- There is no cure for HPV

Genital Herpes
- Caused by the Herpes Simple Virus (HSV)
- Spread through skin to skin contact and
oral, anal and vaginal sex.
- Some people with herpes never develop
sores, but are still contagious and may
spread it to others without knowing.
- People who have an initial outbreak can
have more outbreaks throughout the rest
of their life.
- Herpes is NOT CURABLE. It is TREATABLE

Hepatitis
- Hepatitis is a virus that affects your liver
- It can cause permanent liver disease and
cancer of the liver
- Hepatitis A and B can be prevented by
vaccines
- There is no vaccine for Hepatitis C
- Hepatitis is NOT CURABLE

How is Hepatitis transmitted

- Hepatitis A is transmitted through fecal
oral route.
- Hepatitis B transmitted through blood and
bodily fluids.
- Hepatitis C transmitted mostly through
blood but also through blood but also
through bodily fluids.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
- HIV is the initial infection
- AIDS is the advances stage of the disease
- Over a period of time, the virus attacks
damages the body’s immune and nervous
system
How is HIV/AIDS spread?
- The virus is spread through bodily fluids
- Decrease risk with condom use
- There is no cure for HIV infection
- Once infected, you have HIV for life

HOW CAN WE PREVENT STI?