Topic 4A: Physical Self
Core Perspectives on the Physical Self
This section examines representations from various disciplinal perspectives.
● William James
○ Considered the body as the initial source of sensation and necessary
for the origin and maintenance of personality.
○ Considered the body subservient to the mind.
○ Example: Mental concentration can be so tightly focused as not only to
banish ordinary sensations, but even the severest pain.
● Sigmund Freud
○ Construction of self and personality makes the physical body the core of
human experience.
○ "Ego is first and foremost a body ego."
○ Heavy emphasis on libido.
● Erik Erikson
○ The role of bodily organs is especially important in early developmental
stages.
○ Development of physical and intellectual skills helps determine if an
individual achieves a sense of competence.
○ Healthy children derive competence as bodies become larger, stronger,
and faster.
○ Acknowledges fundamental biological drives but insists they are
socially modifiable.
Topic 4B.1: Reproduction and Psychosexual Stages
Definitions of Sex
● Sex: The classification of a person as male or female, typically assigned at birth,
based on external anatomy (Primary sex traits).
● Secondary sex traits: Traits that appear when a person reaches puberty.
Secondary Sex Traits Comparison
Feature Male Female
External Genitalia Penis Size breast, vagina
Internal Genitalia — Size uterus
Body Shoulders broaden, muscle Shoulders narrow, hips
mass broad, thighs converge,
arms diverge
Hair Beard, back, chest, anus More scalp hair, less body
hair
Voice Vocal cords in size/length; Voice unchanged
voice deepens
Mental/Other More aggressive, sexual —
interest awakens
Physiological Response (Masters and Johnson, 1966)
The human sexual response occurs in four linear cycles:
1. Excitement
2. Plateau
3. Orgasm
4. Resolution
● Note: Women are capable of multiple orgasms and have different responses in
the resolution stage.
Sigmund Freud’s Psychosexual Stages
Personality development takes place in 5 stages characterized by the expression of
sexual energy (libido):
1. Oral
2. Anal
3. Phallic
4. Latency
5. Genital
Topic 4B.2: Diversity of Sexual Behaviors
Key Definitions
● Sex: Biological classification assigned at birth.
● Gender: Cultural meanings attached to being masculine or feminine, which
influence personal identity.
● SOGIE: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression (used to describe the
LGBT+ community).
Topic 4C: Family Planning
The Reproductive Health Law (RA No. 10354)
A law in the Philippines guaranteeing universal access to sexual education, maternal
care, and methods of contraception.
● Intended Audience: Men and Women of Reproductive Age (15-49 years old).
● General Objective: To help couples/individuals achieve desired family size
within the context of responsible parenthood and improve reproductive health.
The Four Guiding Principles
1. Responsible Parenthood:
○ The right and duty to determine the number and spacing of children.
○ Responsible parenting: The proper upbringing and education of children
to be upright, productive, and civic-minded.
2. Respect for Life:
○ Government protects the sanctity of life.
○ Abortion is NOT a family planning method.
3. Birth Spacing:
○ Interval between pregnancies (ideally 3 years).
○ Enables health recovery and allows time for childcare.
4. Informed Choice:
○ Upholding the rights of couples to determine family size according to life
aspirations.
○ Ensuring access to legally and medically acceptable methods.
Reflection Questions (Included for Review)
● For me, beauty means...
● A beautiful person is...
● I am beautiful because...
● If you were them, which door would you have opened? (Beautiful vs. Average)
● How would you have described yourself?
● What comes to your mind when you hear the word SEX?
● Do you agree or disagree with Freud's theory?
● What are the things that you discovered after this lesson?
● How do you see yourself as a future parent?