UNDERSTANDI

NG THE SELF

MA. NITA V. BOLO,LPT, MAGC,RGC

 Has established myself working in various facets in the world of psychology—in
Human resources, Special Education, Facilitator, and Educator.
 Graduated BS Psychology at University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos
 Graduated Master of Arts in Guidance and Counseling at University of Negros
Occidental Recoletos
 Currently doing my dissertation for a Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology at the
University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos.
 Passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers
 Passed the Licensure Examination for Guidance Counselors
 Speaker, Facilitator, and Trainer for Industry and Academe
 Presently, a part-time professor of Colegio de Sta. Rita, graduate school teaching
professional subjects in the Guidance and Counseling Program.
 Presently, a full-time Guidance Counselor and Human Resource Officer of Colegio de
Sto. Tomas-Recoletos.
POLICIES AND EXPECTATIONS
 Your readings should be completed on the day assigned so you may be able to
participate in the discussion.

 Participation: You will be required to demonstrate being engaged in every class period
via attentiveness and verbal/nonverbal communication. That includes not playing on the
internet on your cellphones/laptops or other activities that are not related to the class.

 Absences: missing five to six classes will result in an “F” for the course; missing three
classes will result in one letter grade reduction.

 Punctuality: being on time is expected. Consistent lateness will also add up and become
inclusive as an absence. Additionally, leaving class significantly early two times will be
equivalent to one absence. In order to participate, attendance is necessary.

 Attitude also plays a direct role in your grade; therefore, what you put into the course
you will get out.
 Taking videos/taking photos during class and posting them is strictly not allowed.
 Late work: a 10% penalty will be assessed for late work and each day after another 10% will be deducted.
Unless arrangements are made, it will be considered late.

 In writing papers: plagiarism, the act of copying the work of another author without crediting the source,
shall be grounds for a grade deduction.

 Academic Honesty: All students are expected to adhere to the Academic Code as explained in our Student
Manual

 All cell phones must be turned off during class. If there is an expected emergency where you need to be
accessible, the phone must be in the “vibrate/silent” mode. In addition, you may not leave during class to
answer your cell phone; however, you may respond during break.

 Please be courteous to the class and refrain from talking during the instruction or when others are speaking.
You will also be asked to return promptly from breaks to maintain classroom decorum and assure you don’t
miss essential information.

 As noted and stated, mutual respect is requested and will be adhered to.

 If at any time the professor is unable to attend class, there will be an online classroom discussion assignment
on Google Classroom for that missed class.
This course is intended to facilitate the exploration of the issues and
concerns regarding self and identity to arrive at a better understanding
of one’s self.
It strives to meet this goal by stressing the integration of the personal
with the academic – contextualizing matters for better learning,
generation a new appreciation for the learning process, and
developing a more critical and reflective attitude while enabling
them to manage and improve themselves to attain a better quality of
life.

The course is divided into three major parts: The Self from Various
Disciplinal Perspectives, Unpacking the Self, and Managing and
Caring for the Self. This course also includes mandatory topics on
Family Planning and Population Education.
WORDS TO KNOW
AND CONCEPTS TO UNDERSTAND
WORDS TO KNOW
1. Self
2. Self-concept
3. Self-image
4. Self- Esteem
5. Self-Knowledge
6. Ideal Self
CONCEPTS TO UNDERSTAND
1. Self-Improvement is impossible without self-awareness
2. “Looking glass self”
3. To build and strengthens the self will improve our over all
functioning of the body.
The self is first and foremost the collection of beliefs that we hold about
ourselves.

What are our important characteristics?

What we do poorly?

What are we good at?

What kinds of situations do we prefer or avoid?

The set of beliefs we hold about who we are is

called the SELF- CONCEPT
NATURE OF SELF
SELF is a unified being and is essentially connected to consciousness,
awareness, and agency or with the faculty of rational choice.
SELF is the condition of identity that makes one subject of experiences
distinct from all others.
SELF is one’s identity.
Self - totality of the individual, consisting of all characteristic attributes, conscious and
unconscious, mental and physical.
WHY SELF IS IMPORTANT?
According to KANT, by knowing ourselves, that we are free and that our
actions and choices matter, we can make good on these commitments
without fear of being contradicted by theory.
According to Thorin Klosowski, by knowing the self, we are able to develop
self-awareness, which are the starting point to every improvement
DEFINITIONS OF SELF
 APA Dictionary of Psychology: Self is the totality of the individual,
consisting of all characteristic attributes, conscious and unconscious, mental
and physical.
 Alfred Adler: The self is the individual’s lifestyle, the manner in which he
or she seeks fulfillment.
 Carl Jung: The self gradually develops by a process of individuation, which
is not complete until late maturity is reached.
 Karen D. Horney: One’s real self is consists of one’s unique capacities for
growth and development.
 Gordon W. Allport: Self is proprium. It is the essence of the individual,
consisting of a gradually developing body sense, identity, self-estimate, and
set of personal values, attitudes, and intentions.
THE CONSTITUTION OF THE SELF
Made up of three (3) parts that incorporated,
allow for the self to maintain its functions:

1. Self- Knowledge

2. Interpersonal Self

3. Agent Self
1. SELF- KNOWLEDGE
(sometimes referred to as ‘SELF-
CONCEPT”)
Allows for people to gather information and
beliefs about themselves.
Four ways to learn about ourselves:
a. Looking glass self ( Charles Cooley)
b. introspection
c. Social comparison
d. Self-perception
A. Looking glass self
Is a theory that people learn about themselves
through other people.
A person visualizes how he appears to others, the person
imagines how other people will judge him, and then he develops
a response to the judgment he received from other people.
B. Introspection
Is a manner in which a person gathers information about
himself through the use of mental functions and emotions.
Is a manner in which a person gathers information about
himself through the use of mental functions and emotions.
C. Social Comparison
Is the manner in which we compare ourselves to
other people around us.
By looking at other people, we can rate our work
and behaviors as good , neutral, or bad.

The most beneficial or useful comparisons are those

of people that are the same category as ourselves.
d. Self-Perception
A process of which a person infers about himself
through his behavior.
His behavior can give him insight as to how his
feelings and emotions are truly are.
2. INTERPERSONAL SELF
Can be referred to as your public self.
This feature allows for social connection to others
A person is able to display himself to others
around him.
3. AGENT SELF
Known as the executive function that allows
for actions.
This is how we, as individuals, make choices
and utilize our control in situations and actions.
Resides over everything that involves decision
making, self-control, taking charge in situations and
actively responding.
 Self - totality of the individual, consisting of all characteristic attributes,
conscious and unconscious, mental and physical.

 Self-concept - the image that we have of ourselves.

 Self-image - the way we see ourselves.

 Self-esteem - the value we place upon ourselves.

 Self-knowledge- allows for people to gather information and beliefs

about themselves.
 Ideal self - he person or self we would like to be. What you wish you were
really like.
3 R’s

REALIZATIONS
REFLECTIONS
REACTIONS
UNDERSTANDING SELF
 Self-understanding is the awareness of and ability to
understand one’s own thoughts and actions.
 The key to self-knowledge is continuous self-awareness.
Self-awareness is merely understanding
who we are.
 To attain the insight in your attitudes, motives, defenses,
reactions, weaknesses, and strengths.
 Understanding self represents the sum total of people’s
conscious perception of their identity as
distinct from others. It is not a static phenomenon, but continues
to develop and change throughout
lives. – George Herbert Head
 Understanding the self equips individuals with making more
effective career and life choice, the
ability to lead, guide and inspire with authenticity.
nderstanding the Self is a fundamental course in the General Education Curriculum for
tertiary education. It is designed to help the students understand the nature of identity
including factors that influence and shape personal identity.
Today, issues of self and identity are very critical to adolescents. This book was
conceptualized to aid undergraduate students develop a more critical and reflective attitude
in exploring the issues and concerns of the self and identity for a better and proper way of
understanding one’s self. It emphasizes the integration of personal daily experiences of the
students with their learning experiences inside the classroom to encourage them to improve
themselves for a better quality of life.
This book has three major parts. The first chapter enables the students to understand the
construct of the self from various disciplinal perspectives: philosophy, sociology,
anthropology, and psychology including the more traditional division between the East and
the West.
The second chapter deals with some of the various aspects that make up the self like the
biological self, the material self, the spiritual self, the political self, and the digital self. The
third and final chapter provides a discussion on some issues or concern for young students
these days, which are learning, goal setting, and stress.
This book provides opportunities for students to gain new skills for practical application of
the concepts learned that aim to help them become better and significant individuals of our
society.
Propelled by a deep sense of mission to empower the Filipino youth, the authors embarked
on writing this book as a humble contribution in building a great nation.