The Material/Economic Self

Reporter: Ghent Jerzei A. Concepcion

The material/economic self refers to the aspect of an individual's identity and self-concept
that is influenced by their material possessions, financial resources, and economic status. It
encompasses how individuals perceive themselves and their social standing based on their material
wealth, consumption patterns, and economic achievements.

Symbolic Self-Completion
 Having or seeking social symbols of achievement regarding a goal important to one's self-
identity (iResearchNet)
 People define themselves by use of indicators of attainment in different activity realms
(possessing a prestige job, having extensive education, anything recognized by others as
indicating progress toward completing the self-definition) (Wicklund & Gollwitzer, 1981).
 Argues that many of the activities that individuals enact such as the possessions they
purchase are intended to substantiate their definition of themselves, clarifying their identity
(Moss, 2016).

Commitment to Self-defining Goals

 Goal-specific tension remains active only as long as the person is involved psychologically in
the pursuit of the goal (Lewin).
 When the task was important personally to subjects, the resumption effects were strongest
(Ovsiankina, 1928). For subjects who found the tasks to be personally unimportant, the
resumption rate was so low that one would be inclined to doubt the presence of a goal-
directed tension system.
 Individuals exhibit more dedication and persistence in pursuing objectives that are
personally meaningful and aligned with their values and identity.
 This concept is often associated with Self-determination Theory by Deci and Ryan (1985):
motivation is based on the satisfactions of behaving “for its own sake” (Cognitive Evaluation
Theory).
 Individuals who pursue self-concordant goals experience greater satisfaction and fulfillment
(Sheldon and Elliot (1999).

How does one recognize a self-defining goal, in contrast to other kinds of goals?

Self-defining
 Means that people predicate of themselves some quality that corresponds to a sense of
control and capability ("parent," "athlete," "artist”)
 Goals are defined by interacting with others (Mead, 1934) and that the sense of progress
toward the goal requires social recognition.
 Self-defining goals are those that reflect a person's authentic desires, interests, and values,
as opposed to goals that are imposed externally or adopted to meet societal expectations
(Deci & Ryan, 1991).

Symbols of Completeness
 Indicators of one's standing with respect to self-defining goals that are potentially
recognizable by others (very rudimentary but important level are the simplest self-
descriptions like a person teaching at a university introduces himself to an audience as
"scientist").
  Signify the fulfillment of deeply held desires and aspirations that resonate with one's sense
of self and purpose (Ryff, 1989).
 Represent significant accomplishments and milestones reached in the pursuit of self-
defining goals (Sheldon & Elliot, 1999).

Three groups of Status Symbols

(a) the background experience or training requisite to the activity (e.g., education)
(b) occupying a position or status that furthers the relevant activities (e.g., vice-president)
(c) performance of the act itself (e.g., musician, lawyer, simply by remaining highly active in
musician like or lawyerlike actions)

Social Reality
 Societal and cultural norms shape individuals' goal-setting behaviors and priorities by
defining socially acceptable standards of achievement, success, and behavior which affects
self-perceptions, aspirations, and goal pursuit strategies (Cialdini & Goldstein, 2004).
 The tension-reduction potential of a substitute task depended largely on whether or not
solving the substitute task carried a "social reality" (Mahler, 1933). The substitute task had
tension-reducing properties only when the solution was announced to the experimenter.
 Once others acknowledge the person for having solved the problem, having solved it
becomes a social tact and thus can serve as a self-defining symbol.
 Self-definitions can come into being and remain stable only by virtue of the
acknowledgment of others (Cooley, 1902).
 The sense of progress toward a self-defining goal is dependent on the acknowledgment of
others (Social Reality Factor).
 Once a person has an indicator at hand, the sense of completeness should be enhanced to
the degree that one can inform more people about it, or more generally, enlarge the scope
of individuals who would potentially recognize the completeness of the self-definition
(Broadening Social Reality).

The Spiritual Self

Reporter: Ricca Nova B. Sillote

The body is believed to be made up of three components: body, soul and spirit. The body is
the physical being that responds to stimuli and communicates with the surroundings. The soul
compromises the emotions and thoughts of the person, while the spirit is the intangible aspect that
communicates with deities in the spiritual realm.

What are Religion and Spirituality?

Religion
 It is an organized system of ideas about the spiritual or supernatural realm that is
accompanied by rituals. Through rituals, people attempt to influence things that they think
are beyond their control.
 Religion is a set of organized beliefs, practices, and systems that most often relate to the
belief and worship of a controlling force, such as a personal god or another supernatural
being.
 It often involves cultural beliefs, worldviews, texts, prophecies, revelations, and morals that
have spiritual meaning to members of the particular faith, and it can encompass a range of
practices, including sermons, rituals, prayer, meditation, holy places, symbols, trances, and
feasts.
 Spirituality
 An aspect of the divine and supernatural but is oftentimes limited to the individual, with no
need for any formal organization. This is the search for meaning and direction in life and the
ways by which one may preserve these.
 Spirituality includes a sense of connection to something bigger than ourselves, and it
typically involves a search for meaning in life.
 Some may find that their spiritual life is intricately linked to their association with a church,
temple, mosque, or synagogue.
 Others may pray or find comfort in a personal relationship with God or a higher power. Still
others seek meaning through their connections to nature or art.

Religion vs. Spirituality

While religion and spirituality are related, there are differences between the two.
Spirituality is an individual practice and belief, whereas religion is centered on a set of organized
practices that a larger group share. It is possible to be spiritual without being religious.

Religion – Its Role in Society:

• To explain things
• To establish order
• To justify things
• To provide support
• Socializes people
• Vehicle for passage into a different domain

Theories on Religion:
• Cognitive – imparts meaning and value to the world
• Psychological – how people adapt to extreme fatigue and tension (stress)
• Social Function – looks at the relationships of people, unity and conformity to the
majority

Religion - Organized
• Organized belief in the supernatural.
• Fulfills numerous social and psychological needs.
• In the last 10,000 years, no group of people have gone/existed within religion.

Religion – Symbols & Myths

Reporter: Pahmiah K. Abdullah

Symbols
 In religion, symbols are objects, images, or rituals that hold significant meaning and
represent deeper spiritual or religious concepts.
Iconography Symbols like the cross in Christianity, the crescent moon in Islam, or the lotus flower in
Buddhism carry symbolic meanings.

Sacred Objects Religious symbols often include sacred texts, statues, clothing, or architecture that convey
spiritual truths.

Rituals Symbolic actions and rituals, such as baptism, prayer beads, or incense burning, are
integral to religious practices.

Religion– Myths
  Religious myths are narratives or stories that explain the origins of the universe, humanity,
and divine beings within a religious framework.
Creation Myths Many religions have creation stories that describe how the world and humanity came into
existence.
Heroic Myths Myths often feature heroic figures, prophets, or gods who exemplify virtues and values for
followers.
Moral Lessons Myths convey moral teachings, cultural values, and beliefs about the nature of reality.

Modern “Major” Religions and Their Myths

Major religions like Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism have foundational
myths that shape their beliefs and practices.
Christianity The Bible contains creation myths, stories of prophets, and the life of Jesus Christ.
Islam The Quran includes narratives of prophets like Adam, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus.
Hinduism Hindu myths feature gods and goddesses, epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata, and
stories of karma and reincarnation
Buddhism Buddhist myths include the life of Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha, and tales of
enlightenment and compassion
Judaism Jewish myths encompass stories of creation, the Exodus, and the covenant between God and
the Jewish people.

Myths
 Myths are traditional stories or legends that explain natural phenomena, cultural practices,
or religious beliefs within a specific society.

Symbolic Language Myths use symbolic language and narrative structures to convey deeper truths and
meanings
Cultural Significance Myths reflect cultural values, norms, and beliefs, providing a foundation for social
identity and cohesion.
Interpretation Myths are subject to interpretation and adaptation over time, reflecting changing
societal contexts and values.

Worldview, Functions of Religion and Spirituality, Religion – Rituals and Passage of Rites
Reporter: Angelita G. Manulat

Worldview
 The collective body of ideas that members of a culture generally share concerning the
ultimate shape and substance of their reality.
 This is the framework of beliefs, values, attitudes, and assumptions through which an
individual or a group interprets and understands the world around them.
 It encompasses various aspects such as philosophy, religion, culture, and personal
experiences. It often shapes their understanding of morality, purpose in life, and the nature
of existence.
 Myths help to shape a culture’s worldview, the way they look at reality.

In addition to being a source of entertainment, myths also work to form a culture's worldview by
offering explanations, moral instruction, identity reinforcement, archetypal symbolism, and a sense
of connectedness to the larger cosmos. They affect how people view themselves, other people, and
their surroundings and help a culture develop a common concept of reality.
 What Functions Do Religion and Spirituality Serve?
Religion serves the important purpose of facilitating spirituality itself, but it serves other
functions as well, including those that are psychological, social, and physical.
 They reduce anxiety by explaining the unknown and offer comfort in times of crisis.
 They provide notions of right and wrong, setting precedents for acceptable behavior.
 Through ritual, religion may be used to enhance the learning of oral traditions.

Religion–Rituals
 Religions have rituals/ritu. It is whatever is done repeatedly.
 A ritual is a series of acts conducted primarily for symbolic purposes. It may be required by a
community's customs, especially by a religious institution.
 It can fulfill religious obligations or ideals, satisfy practitioners' spiritual or emotional needs,
strengthen social bonds and more.

Two Types of Ritual

1. According to the Calendar (Calendric)

Calendric rituals are festivals or ceremonies done at specified periods of the year depending on
calendar cycles.
Examples: New Year’s Day, Ramadan, and Christmas.

2. Based on crisis
Crisis rituals are often intended to assist people or groups in dealing with a difficult or traumatic
occurrence.
Examples: Funerals, Grieving Rituals, Healing Rituals

Religion –Rites of Passage

Arnold van Gennep
 First to recognize the rites of passage in 1909 to commemorate social shifts in people's lives
and to demonstrate a change in their social status within their communities.
 He observed that rites of passage have three stages: separation, transition, and
incorporation, and that during the transition stage, the individual must cross a threshold
(limen) from their previous social position or status to a new one.
Rites of Separation Rites that involve the separation of the individual from society.

Rites of Transition Rites on the temporary separation of an individual before inclusion in a big group.

Rites of Incorporation In the new state/condition, the individual is returned to the big group.

Rites of Intensification Rituals used in times of problem or crisis, in order to unify, reduce fear or to mobilize
people into action.

There are Seven Ways to Improve Your Spiritual Health

Reporter: Rachell N. Bravo

Generally, people like to live a life with meaning and purpose. When these goals are met, it
puts harmony in one’s life, and the others they surround themselves with. Since spiritual wellness
involves one’s values, beliefs, and purpose, it can be achieved in several ways—both physically and
mentally.
1. Explore your spiritual core
 People often explore their spiritual core to find meaning, peace, and a sense of direction in
life. Exploring your spiritual core involves delving into your innermost beliefs, values, and
sense of purpose.
2. Look for deeper meanings
 Looking for deeper meanings in your life and analyzing occurring patterns will help you see
that you have control over your destiny. Being aware of this can help you achieve a happy
and healthy life.
3. Get it out
 Expressing what is on your mind will help you to maintain a focused mind. Sometimes,
hiding bad feelings can take away the peace of mind. Once you start the express the feeling,
all the bad effects of the thoughts can be taken out of the mind which will reduce stress.
4. Try yoga
 Yoga is a physical technique that can help improve your spiritual wellness by reducing
emotional and physical strains on your mind and body. It can help lower stress, boost the
immune system, and lower blood pressure as well as reduce anxiety, depression, fatigue,
and insomnia.
5. Travel
 When you are at a place where your mind can keep out distractions and help you reflect and
rest, you will have a better connection with yourself.
6. Think positively.
 When you eliminate negativity and re-frame how you think of certain things and situations,
you’ll notice yourself being more relaxed.
7. Take time to meditate
 Whether in the morning when you wake up, during your lunch break, or before you go to
sleep, take five to 10 minutes to meditate each day. Fitting mediation and relaxation into
your lifestyle will free your mind and foster a stronger relationship with your spiritual
wellness.

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