The

Material
Self
 What is Material Self?
According to William James, material self is the sum
total of all he call his, not only his body psychic
powers, but his clothes and his house, his wife and
children.
 “…his ancestors and friends, his
reputation and works, his yacht and bank
account, all these things give him the
same emotions.”
“…If they wax and prosper, he feels triumphant; is

they dwindle and die away, he feels cast down – not

necessarily in the same degree for each thing, but in

much the same way for all.”

“We are what
we have.”
 Composition of Material Self

HOME
IMMEDIATE FAMILY

CLOTHES

BODY
 BODY
• Inner most part of our material self.
• Intentionally, we invest in our body.
• We strive to make sure that this body functions well and
good.
• We do have certain preferential attachment to or intimate
closeness to certain parts because of its value to us.
 CLOTHES
• The style and the brand of clothes becomes a symbolic
significance.
• The fabric and the style of the clothes we wear bring
sensations to the body and can affect our attitude and
behavior.
• Clothing is a form of self expression.
• We choose and wear clothes that reflect our self, our
personality, our characteristics.
 Immediate Family
• These people are likely to shape and influence the
development of self identity.
• Our siblings and parents holds a great important part of our
self.
• What they do or become affects us.
• When an immediate family dies, part of our self dies.
• When their lives are in success, we feel victorious as if we are
the one holding trophy.
 Home
• It is earliest nest of our selfhood.
• Our experiences inside the home were recorded and marked
on particular parts and things in our home.
• Just like the saying “If only walls can speak”.
• The home is thus the an extension of self, because in it, we can
directly connect ourself.
• When their lives are in success, we feel victorious as if we are
the one holding trophy.
 Effects of Material Possessions
Regardless of how much or how little material possessions people have, they are interested in
material possessions. Possessions can be used as status, symbol. Cars, house, gadgets and
clothes are most valuable possessions because they are the most visible in the eye of the others.

• Material possessions can make people more

motivated to work harder to achieve them.
• However, lack or loss of material possessions
can be disruptive to the mental health of some
people.
• The negative effect of the strong desire for
material possessions.
Thanks!