GE 1: UNDERSTANDING THE SELF
Instructor: Ms. Gee Gamboa
WEEK 2 Handout #1
TITLE: UNFOLDING THE BIOLOGICAL SELF
This module will tackle two important representations of self: Physical and Sexual.
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this section you are expected to:
1. Discuss the concepts of heredity and maturation;
2. Identify biological and environmental factors that impact the physical self;
3. Analyze issues associated with physical well-being.
Pre-Assessment:
1. The physical self goes through changes in one’s lifetime.
2. One’s parents and relatives are the sole sources of his or her genetic make up.
3. The physical development of adolescents varies.
4. There are relative standards in beauty.
5. Each individual has a unique DNA.
THE PHYSICAL SELF
This section identifies and explains the biological and environmental factors that shape
the physical self. It also delves into socio-cultural associated with physical well-
being (surrounding issues associated with health, hygiene, nutrition, standards
of beauty etc).
The Biological Blueprint: is also called
Physical Features
– People are often recognized initially by their physical features, but should also
consider the physical competencies, valuation of physical worth and perception
of beauty.
- Own appearance often triggered by person’s impression of another.
- Built and developed through heredity.
- Defined as the transmission of traits from parents, with specific information
embedded within one’s gene.
Genotype vs. Phenotype:
Not all genotypes translate to an observed physical characteristic.
Phenotype is the physical expression of a particular can be directly observed.
Illustration:
A man who has a fair skin and a woman who has brown skin produced a brown-
skinned offspring. While you may assume that the newborn inherited only the
skin color of his mom, a close examination of his genotype may reveal that he
got the gene for fair skin from his dad- this is what we call the concept of
dominant and recessive genes. ( heritable characteristics controlled by genes
that are expressed in offspring only when inherited from both parents, i.e.,
when not masked by a dominant characteristic
inherited from one parent. Often contrasted with dominant.)
A dominant gene will always be expressed if present, while a recessive gene will
only be expressed if paired with another recessive gene.
Blue eyes are a recessive trait. A person will have blue eyes only if they inherit
two blue eye alleles.
Dominant – brown from dad, blue from Mom, ang labas brown kasi un ang
dominant trait.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONING:
As s person grows he or she is exposed to the environmental influences that shape
the physical self, including those from social networks, societal expectations and cultural
practices.
Family- first social group; forms a crucial foundation of your development,
including that of your physical
self. Family is also the primary responsible for how you take care of your body:
example: Food intake, diet etc.
As you grow older, you will be exposed to a larger social group with new practices and
standards, you become more conscious of your physical appearance, you begin to take
note of your height, weight, facial features and other physical attributes. As a result of
this consciousness, you begin to engage in acts that would make you attractive and
acceptable to others.
Other Influences:
Slim body as the ideal
Eating disorders
Skin care routines
Media
How to Achieve Physical Well- Being:
1. Healthy Eating
2. Embracing a healthy lifestyle
3. Maintaining proper hygiene
4. Being confident
GE 1: UNDERSTANDING THE SELF
Instructor: Ms. Gee Gamboa
WEEK 2 Handout # 2
TITLE: UNFOLDING THE SEXUAL SELF
This section tackles one of the most crucial aspects of human development, the sexual
life. It highlights biological and environmental factors that shape sexual development.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
At the end of this section, students are expected to:
1. Discuss and elaborate concepts associated with the sexual self including sex and
gender;
2. Identify factors that contribute to one’s sexual development ;
3. Explain how can manifest responsible sexual behavior.
PRE-ASSESSMENT:
Agree or disagree
________ 1 We cannot control
sexual urges.
________ 2 Our sexual is purely
biological.
________ 3 Sexual orientation
embody cognitive, affective and
behavioral domains.
________ 4 We are born with
sexuality.
________ 5 Sex and gender are the
same.
The Sexual Aspects of the Self:
The vital aspect of one’s identity is the sexual self, encompassing the biological,
physical, emotional and social domains.
Bodily transformation and the development of secondary sexual characteristics during
adolescence also trigger the physiological responses, leading to beliefs behavior
associated with sex.
IT IS IMPORTANT for a person to be aware of his or her sexuality, thoughts and behavior
in order to make responsible choices concerning one’s sexual life a BECAUSE during this
stage, sexual curiosity is often at its peak influenced by biological and socio-cultural
factors. Further, this gender orientation of the adolescent may manifest at this stage.
THE BIOLOGY OF SEX
SEX IS DETERMINED AT BIRTH. the sexual genital is a biological feature that
DISTINGUISHES males from females. Moreover during puberty, observable changes in
the human body also known as secondary sexual characteristics begin. For males the
changes include the growth of facial and bodily hair, emergence of adam’s apple
deepening of voice and muscle development.
In the Philippines, the practice of circumcision is considered a rite and menstruation and
noticeable changes in the hips, breast and skin underlie the sexual changes during
developmental in the males and females, the release of hormones triggers changes in
the reproductive system.
Thus this stage, males and females start to become capable of procreation; males start
producing sperm while females begin producing egg.
When physiological changes occur, he or she is likely to experience sexual urges become
more sensitive to sexual stimuli and feel sexual arousal.
Completing the sexual cycle leads to sexual satisfaction.
TO POINT OUT:
This is only for sex orientation purposes and not for practice. Sex between two
opposite sex is limited and within the boundaries of marriage.
SEXUAL IDENTITY AND GENDER ORIENTATION :
At birth, one’s sexuality depends on his or her physical features and genitals. Most of the
time, one’s sexuality and gender orientation correspond with each other. However,
biological sex and gender orientation are two different things.
Biological Sex – one’s assignment upon birth and is dependent on physical features.
Gender – an identity which goes beyond biological domain: Social roles, personality
traits, attitudes, behaviors and values attributed to men and women. It also includes the
relative power and influences.
Assumptions:
Men are to be strong and dominant
Women are submissive and demure
Sexual identity and gender orientation underlie one’s concept of self. A person expresses
his or her sexuality through individuality; one’s beliefs and behavioral lifestyle are based
on his or her own perception or sexuality. Though the orientation gives rise to the
person’s responsibility in expressing themselves.
THE CONSEQUENCE OF SEXUAL CHOICE:
(Early) Pregnancy
REJECTION - It is not love if cannot commit
Emotional stress
STD
AIDS
HIV
Before deciding to have an intercourse, bear in my the responsibility and the SIN you will
have to commit.
Remember to:
1. Respect for one’s body
2. Maturity in thoughts and deeds
3. Being guided by one’s core values
4. Being future -oriented