UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

Understan
ding
Th S lf 1
UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

Bataan Heroes College

Understanding the
Self

Prepared by:

Ma. Luisa T. L. Carullo

General Education Department

2
 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

This module or any portion thereof may not be reproduced, copied, transmitted or distributed in any manner
whatsoever without the express written permission of the College or the Author. For Permission: Contact Bataan
Heroes College, Roman Super HI-way, Balanga City, Bataan, Philippines.

3
 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

Course Information
Course Title : Understanding the Self
Program :
Course Code : GE 113
Credit Units : 3 Units
Pre-requisites : none

Instructor Information
Name : Ma. Luisa T. L. Carullo
: Ma’am Thess
Contact Information
Mobile number : 09980409961
Facebook : [Link]
Email Address : maluisalevera@[Link]

Course Description

The course deals with the nature of identity and the factors and forces that affect the
development and maintenance of personal identity.

It is intended to facilitate the exploration of the issues and concern 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 into the academic-contextualizing matters discussed
in the classroom and in the everyday experiences of students – making for better learning,
generating a new appreciation for the learning process and developing a more critical and

4
 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

reflective attitude while enabling them to manage and improve themselves to attain a better
quality of life.

Intended Learning Outcomes

At the of the course, the students should be able to learn the following outcomes;

1. Identify the different representations and conceptualization and the self and the various
disciplinal perspective.
2. Examine the different influences, factors and forces that shape the self.
3. Explore the different aspect, forces and institutions that impact the development of self.
4. Examine one’s self against the different aspect of self as discussed.
5. Demonstrate critical, reflective thought in analyzing/integrating aspect of self and identity.
6. Acquire and hone new skills and learnings for better managing of one’s self and behaviors.
7. Apply new skills to one’s self and functioning for a better quality of life.

Course Schedule

Week Module Module Intended

No. Learning
s
Outcomes
1 1  Introduction to the Course 1,2,3
 Different Perspective of Self
 Philosophy
 Sociology
 Anthropology
 Psychology

2 2  The Self in western and Oriental/ 1,2,3,4

Eastern Thought
 Western Concept of Self
 Eastern Concept of Self
 Individualistic vs collective Self
3 3  Unpacking the Self
 The Physical Self
 The Sexual Self
4 3  The Material/Economic Self
 The Spiritual Self
5 3  The Political Self

5
 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

 The Digital self

6 4  Managing and Caring for the Self
 Being a Better Student
 What Happens During Learning
 Relationship of the Brain and Behavior
Changes
7 4  Metacognition and Study Strategies
 Metacognition Teaching Strategies
 Concept Mapping and Visual Study
Tools
 Classroom Assessment Tools
 Note Taking Skills
8 4  Self-regulated Learning
 Setting Goals for Success
 Taking Charge of One’s Health
 Stressors and Responses
9 4  Sources of Coping and Strength

Textbook and References

Gallinero, Winston B., Soriano, Imelda DP., Florendo, Helena B., Jandoc, Maria Rouselle G., et.
al., Understanding the Self, Mutya Publishing House, Malabon City, Philippines, 2018.

Brawner, Dalisay G., and Arcega, Analiza F., Enderstanding the Self, C & E Publishing, Inc.,
Quezon City, Philippines, 2018.

6
 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

Wk Date Topic Modality Reading, References

# /assignments/
Activity
Different Perspective of Self
Feb.15 Welcome and Synchronous
/Mon. Reorientation
Feb. INITIAL SELF Asynchronous Answering
16/Tue ASSESSMENT Exercise 0
ACTIVITY
Feb.17 Introduction to Synchronous Engaging Activity, Understanding the
/ Wed. the Discussion Self by Gallinero, et,
Understanding al.
the Self
Perspective of
Self
(Philosophy)
Feb.  Perspective of Asynchronous Exercise 1 [Link]
18/ Self Online reading of [Link]/2018/
Thu (Sociology) “The Self as 09/09/the-self-as-a-
Product of Society” product-of-society/
by Ysa Camacho

Introduction to [Link]
sociology: George .com/watch?v=7A2GI
Herbert Mead: the ct0UnQ
I and the me by
Brooke Miller
 Perspective of Synchronous Sharing/Discuss/Ex Understanding the
Self ercise 1/Journal Self by Gallinero, et,
(Anthropology, Writing al.
and
Psychology)

Module 1 Introduction to the Understanding the Self

This module will introduce the students to the Understanding of the Self and the various
perspective in the explanation of the self in relation to Philosophy, Sociology, Anthropology
and Psychology. Western and Eastern concepts of the self are also part of this module.

7
 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

At the end of this module, students should be able to:

1. Describe, the nature of the self from their own point of view by actively participating in
some sharing activities.
2. Discuss the conceptualization and representation of the self from the various discipline
and perspective.
3. Develop a wholesome attitude towards oneself.

Engaging

To facilitate learning in this course, everyone is encouraged to engage in every activity.

Hence, we are required to keep notebook/cattleya/ a scribble to serve as your activity
notebook for the subject. Bring it with you every time you attend our class.

To begin with, let us answer the following in your activity notebook:

1. You as a student, write your favorite food, place of travel and what do you do for
fun. Record your answer on your activity book. Add a sentence to explain why was it
your favorite.
2. Two Truths and a lie. Say/ write two truths and 1 lie about yourself.
3. Write down 3 things you want to accomplish before you die. Again, write a short
explanation.
4. From the pictures that appear below that you think best describe/represent you, and
why

8
UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

By sharing to us the answers that you have

to these questions, you have shared to us part of yourself. But
do you really know whoa are you?
Do you know your real SELF?
9
 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

1.1 What is the Self?

The “self” has many aspects. These aspects make up the “self’s” integral parts,
such as self-awareness, self-esteem, self-knowledge, and self-perception. With theses
aspects the person is able to alter, change, add and/or modify himself for the purpose
of gaining social acceptance.
Psychology holds that the “self” is either the cognitive or the affective
representation of the individual. Cognitive is relating to or involving conscious
intellectual activity while affective is relating to or arising from feelings influenced by
emotions.

Have you ever thought of not caring for yourself?

Do you believe that it’s better to love some other people than
to love your own self?
But, do you also think of loving yourself more than loving
others?

Let’s take a journey down to the innermost aspect of your being…..

yourself….

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COURSE

1. Major Examination
2. Participation in all activities such as individual/ group presentation, group discussion
and quick survey.
3. Class demeanor, which include attentiveness and responsiveness during synchronous.

10
 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

4. Submitted assignments and exercises, reflection papers and essays.

5. Journal writing which includes the three things students learn about themselves. This is
part of the assessment activities of each topic which help the students to critically
reflect on and internalized the learnings from the readings or discussions.

1.2 The Self in Various Perspective

For a meaningful understanding of the “self”, numerous studies have been conducted
and various approaches have been developed from concepts about it. Important philosophers
from ancient to contemporary times described the essential qualities that compare a person’s
uniqueness. Sociology sees the “self” as a product of social interactions, developed over time
through social activities and experiences.

Anthropology views the “self” as a culturally shaped construct or idea while psychology
sees the “self” as having characteristics or properties that can be used to described it. And
there are many more views about it. Let’s take a look at these different perspective about the
“Self”.

11
 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

1.2.1 the “Self” from the point of view of Philosophy

SOCRATES
A Greek Philosopher and one of the very few individuals
who shaped Western thought. He is known for his method
of inquiry ( Socratic Method) in testing an idea.

“I Know That I Don’t Know”

[Link]

If a person knows who he/she is, all basic

issues and difficulties in life will vanish
“Know Thyself”
and everything will be clearer and
simpler.
Self- knowledge are very important
concerns because only by knowing
“The unexamined life is yourself can you hope to improve your
not worth living” life. It also means knowing the person’s
degree of understanding about the world
and knowing one’s capabilities and
potentials.
The soul is immortal. The care of the soul
“The goal of life
is the task of philosophy. Virtue is
is to be happy” necessary to attain happiness.

Plato
A student of Socrates. He wrote the Socratic Dialogue
where Socrates was the main character and speaker. His
Philosophical method was identified as “collection and
division.”

[Link]

The physical world is not really the “real”

Theory of Forms world because the ultimate reality exists
beyond the physical world.

12
 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

The “soul” is indeed the most divine

Aspect of Human being
aspect of the human being. His concept
of divine is not spiritual being but on that
has an intellectual connotation. The
self/soul/mind as the aspect of human
being by which the Form (ideas) are
known. Three parts of the soul are:
 The appetitive
(sensual)—elements that enjoy
sensual experiences such as food,
drink and sex.
 The rational (reasoning)—the
elements that forbids the perso to
enjoy sensual experiences; the
part that loves the truth, rule over
the other part of the soul through
the use of reason.
 The spirited (feeling) – the
element that is inclined toward
reason but understand the
demands of passion; the part that
loves honor and victory.
St. Augustine
One of the most significant Christian thinkers. His approach to
Christian thinking is the most influential theological system. He was
deeply influenced by Plato’s ideas.
“The memory of the past is
significant
in the anticipation of the future and
presence of the present”
[Link]

He asserted that these forms were

Theory of Forms concepts existing within the perfect and
eternal God where the soul belonged.
The soul held the Truth and was
capable of scientific thinking. “Self” was
an inner, immaterial “I” that had self-

13
 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

knowledge and self- awareness. Human

being are both soul and body, the body
possessed senses, such as imagination,
memory, reason and mind through which
the soul experienced the world.
Rene Descartes
A French Philosopher, mathematician, and scientist. Considered as the Father of
modern Western Philosophy. First thinker to
emphasized the use of reason to described, predict and
understand natural phenomenon based on
observational and empirical evidence. He used
methodological skepticism—a process of being skeptical
about the truth of one’s beliefs in order to determine
which beliefs could be ascertained as true.
[Link]

Anything that you register from your

“Cogito ergo sum” senses can be doubted, therefore could
“I think, therefore I am” not be used as a proof of existence
because human senses could be fooled.
Everything could be doubted.

 It is constant: it is not prone to

Claims about “Self” change; and it is not affected by
time.
 Only the immaterial soul remains
the same throughout the time.
 The immaterial soul is the source
of our identity.
The BODY is a material substance that
The union of body and changes through time, can be doubted.
soul The public can correct claims about the
body. It is maid up of physical,
quantifiable, divisible parts.

The SOUL is a conscious, thinking

substance that is unaffected by time,
known only to itself. It is not made up of
parts. It views the entirety of itself with

14
 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

no hidden or separate compartments. It

is conscious and aware of itself at the
same time.
*the soul is still distinct from the body.
John Locke
A philosopher and physician and one of the most influential
Enlightenment Thinkers. The Age of Enlightenment of Age of
Reason was an intellectual and philosophical movement that
dominated the ideas in Europe during the 18th century.

[Link]

Human mind at birth is a tabula rasa

(blank page), which means that
Tabula Rasa knowledge is derived from experience.

 “Self is identified with consciousness

On consciousness and this “self” consists of sameness of

consciousness --- interpreted as the
and memory “self” consists of memory.
 Person existing now is the same
person yesterday because he
remembers the thoughts, experiences
or actions of the earlier self.
 A person’s memories provide a
continuity of experience that allows
him to identify himself as the same
person overtime.
 Consciousness can be transferred
from one substance to another, and
thus, while the soul is changed,
consciousness remains the same,
thereby preserving the personal
identity through the change.

15
 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

David Hume
A Scottish philosopher, economist, and historian during
the Age of Enlightenment. He is a fierce opponent of
Descartes’ Rationalism (reason rather than experience). He
believed in Empiricism, where the origin of all knowledge is
sense experience.

[Link]

He described the “self” or person (which

Bundle Theory Hume assumed to be the “mind”) as a
bundle or a collection of different
perceptions that are moving in a very fast
and successive manner; therefore it is a
“perceptual flux”.
Impression, perception that are the
most strong, enter the senses with force ,
Mind’s perception
results from inward and outward
sentiments.
Ideas, less forcible and less lively
counterparts of impressions. These are
mechanisms that copy and reproduce
sense data formulated based upon
previously perceived impressions.
Immanuel Kant
A central figure in modern Philosophy. His contribution to on
metaphysics, epistemology, ethics and aesthetics have had a
profound impact on almost every philosophical movement that
followed him.

[Link]

“Self” is “Self is related to a spiritual or

nonphysical realm. Self is not in the body
transcendental
and it does not have the qualities of the
body instead they are rooted to the self.
Knowledge that bridges the “self” and the
material things together.

16
 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

Two kinds of Consciousness of Components of the “self”

Self(rationality) 1. Inner self -the self which you are
1. Consciousness of oneself and aware of alterations in your own states
one’s psychological states in inner such as moods, feelings and
sense. sensations, pleasure and pain.
2. Consciousness of oneself and 2. Outer self- includes your senses and
one’s state by performing acts of the physical world. It gathers
apperception. information from the external world
Apperception is the mental process by through senses, which the inner self
which a person make sense of an idea by interprets and coherently expresses
assimilating it to the body of ideas he or
she already possesses.
Sigmund Freud
Philosopher, physiologist, and psychologist.
One of the most influential thinkers of the 20th
century. His most important contribution was
psychoanalysis.

[Link]

Levels of Consciousness
“Wish fulfillment [Link], awareness of present
perceptions, feelings, thoughts, memories
is the road and fantasies at a particular moment.
2. Pre-conscious/sub-conscious,
to the unconscious.”
related to data that can readily be brought
to consciousness.
3. unconscious, data retained but not
easily available to the individual’s
conscious awareness or scrutiny.
Three Parts of the Mind
Psychoanalytic Theory
[Link]. Internal desires. Also known as
internal drives or instinctive drives, it is
consists of the body’s primitive biological
drives and urges which are concerned with
achieving pleasures and self-satisfaction.
2. Ego (reality). It is the “I” part of the

17
 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

individual that gives the sense of own

identity. The rational part of the
personality.
3. Superego (conscience). The part of the
personality that concerned with morals,
precepts, standards and ideas. The critical
faculty of the personality.
Gilbert Ryle
Philosopher and professor who produced a critique on
Decartes’ ideas that the mind is distinct from the body. Ryle
called the distinction between the mind and matter a
“category- mistake” .

[Link]

Ryle’s points against Decartes’ theory

are:
“I Act, therefore, I 1. The relation between mind and
Am” body are not isolated processes.
2. Mental processes are intelligent
Your actions define your own concept of acts, and are not distinct from each
other.
“self” (who you are).
3. The operation of the mind is itself an
intelligent act.

Paul Churchland
Philosopher and professor known for his studies in
neurophilosophy and philosophy of the mind. His philosophy
stands on a materialistic view or the belief that nothing but
matter exists.

[Link]

If something can not be seen, felt,

heard, touched or tasted , then it exists.

18
 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

There is nothing beyond the sensory

“The physical brain and NOT
experience. Unchanging soul/self does not
the imaginary mind gives us our exist because it cannot be experienced by
sense of self” the senses. His idea is called eliminative
materialism, people’s common-sense
understanding of the mind (or folk
psychology) is false and that certain
classes of mental states which most
people believe in do not exist.

Maurice Merleau-Ponty
A French Philosopher and author. Considered as a public
intellectual and was the leading proponent existentialism
and phenomenology. He also made important contributions
to the philosophy of art, history, language, nature, and
politics.

[Link]

His idea of “self” is an embodied

“Physical body subjectivity. Embodied means to give
is an important part a body to (usually an immaterial
of the self” substance like a soul).
Subjectivity, in philosophy, is a
state of being a subject – an entity that
possesses conscious experiences, such
as perspectives, feelings, beliefs and
desires.

Which among these philosophical

theory of self,
Do you most likely to believe or accept?

19
 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

Exercise 1

Read “The Self as Product of Society” by Ysa Camacho,

[Link]
And
Watch Introduction to sociology: George Herbert Mead: the I and the me by Brooke Miller,
[Link]
After watching and reading fill in the table below with a short description/explanation of the
sociologists theories and concepts about the Self.

Sociologists Theories /concepts about the “Self”

George Herbert Mead

Charles Horton Cooley

Jean Baudrilland

Gerry Lanuza

1.2.2 The “Self” from the point of view of Sociology

Sociology is the study of society and social interaction. It refers to social behavior,
society, pattern of social relationships, social inter action and culture that surrounds everyday
life.

Sociologists are concerned with questions about the persons in the community.
Questions like: “How does society influence you?” “how do you affect society?”. More

20
 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

Importantly, “Who are you a person in the community?” Sociology posits that socially formed
norms, beliefs and values come to exist within the person to a degree where these become
natural and normal.

Modernization has significantly changed society, and this affected how an individual
builds and develops his or her self-identity. Pre-modern society was centered on survival.
People behaved according to social rules and traditions while family and the immediate
environment provided supervision on how to get through life.

The Social Self

George Hebert Mead was a sociologist from the late 1800s, and he well known from his
theory of social self which is based on the perspective that self is the product of social
interaction and internalizing the external view along with one’s personal view about oneself.

Mead developed a concept that proposed the different stages such as language, the
stage of self- development; play where the individual assumes the role of other; and game
stage where the individual does not only internalized the role of other people’s perspective but
also take into account societal rules and adheres
to it.

Two sides of self: “I’ and “Me”

“I” is the part of the self that is unsocialized and

spontaneous. It is the individual’s response to the
community’s attitude towards the person. The “I”
does not blindly follow rules. It understands when
to possibly bend or stretch the rules that govern
social interactions. It constructs a response based
on what has been learned by the “me”.

“Me” is the product of what the person has learned while interacting with others and with the
environment. Learned behaviors, attitudes and even expectations comprise the “me”. The me
Exercises social control over the self it sees to it that the rules are not broken.

21
 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

1.2.3 The “Self” from the point of view of Anthropology

Anthropology is the study of people, past and present. It focuses on understanding the
human condition in its cultural aspect. It is concerned with understanding how human evolved
and how they differ from one another.

One definition of “self” in modern anthropology characterized the term in its most
general ordinary and everyday use. Katherine Ewing (1990) described the self as
encompassing the “physical organism, possessing psychological functioning and social
attributes.” Here the “self” is implicitly and explicitly existing in the mind comprised of
psychological, biological and cultural processes.

 “self” is illusory. “people construct a series of self-representations that are based on

cultural concepts of person and selected chains of personal memories.

Aspect of the Self (Joseph Le Doux, 2002)

a. Explicit – the aspect of the that you are consciously aware of.
b. Implicit – the aspect not immediately available to the consciousness.
 Self is framed, maintained, and affected biologically, mentally and socially.
 The self is not static; it is added to and subtracted from by genetic maturation,
learning, forgetting, stress, ageing and disease.

The Self Embedded in Culture

Catherine Raeff (2010) believe that culture can influence how you view:

Relationships. Culture influences how you enter into and maintain relationship.

Personality traits. Culture influences whether (and How) you value traits, like humility, self-
esteem, p oliteness, assertiveness, and so on, as well as how you perceived hardship or how
you feel about relying on others.

Achievement. Culture influences how you define success and whether you value certain types
of individual and group achievements.

22
 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

Expressing emotions. Culture influences what will affect you emotionally, as well as how much
you express yourself, such as showing your feelings in public or keeping it private.

1.2.4 The “Self” from the point of view of Psychology

Psychology is the scientific study of how people behave, think and feel. It involves the
basic workings of the human brain to consciousness, memory, reasoning and language, to
personality and mental health, and everything about the human experience.

Cognitive Theory of Jean Ppiaget

[Link]

William James Theory of Self

[Link]

23
 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

Real and Ideal Self-Concepts

Engaging Activity to be facilitated my the teacher. In your activity notebook, answer the
test to be facilitated synchronously by your instructor to determine whether your real self is
congruent with your Ideal self. Be honest. Listen to the instruction and follow what is asked.

ANXIOUS ATTRACTIVE CARELESS DEPRESS

DISHONEST ENERGETIC FUNNY HAPPY
OPTIMISTIC INTELLIGENT KIND LAZY
RELAXED ORGANIZED OUT-GOING PLAIN
HONEST SAD SERIOUS SHY
SLOPPY STRONG UNHELPFUL WEAK

Personality development and self- concept

Carl Ransom Rogers Theory

 All behavior is motivated by self-actualizing tendencies and these tendencies drive you
to reach your full potential
 The world a person exists in is the center of constant changes and the person reacts to
these changes.
 He divides the self into two categories: the ideal self and the real self.
Ideal self is the person that you would like yourself to be. It the concept of the ‘best
me” who is worthy of admiration. It may include:
a. Notion influence d by your parents.
b. What you admire by others
c. What the society sees as acceptable, and
d. What you think is in your best interest.

24
 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

Real self is the person right at the you actually are. It is how you behave right at the
moment of a situation. It is who you are in reality – how you think, feel or act at
present.

 According to Rogers, “If the way that I am (the real self) is aligned with the way tthat I
want to be (the ideal self), then I will feel a sense of mental well-being of peace of
mind. In other words, when your real self and ideal self are very similar you experience
congruence. High congruence leads to a greater sense of self-worth and a healthy
productive life.”

Exercise 2

To show how past and diversed cultures influence the present views/ perspectives of
the young generation, study/research on the courtship and marriage practices of the given
culture below. Write a 2 to 3 sentence description of the practices then answer the question
below.

Cultures Courtship/Marriage Practices

Filipino Culture

American Culture

Chinese Culture

Muslim Culture

Nigerian Culture

25
 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

1. In general, what did you learn about the courtship/marriage practices of these
different cultures?
2. How will it influence you in trying to understand your “self’?

J Journal Entry for Week #1

Write something that will show the following:

a. Me as I see me
b. How other people see me
c. How I would like other people to see me

REFERENCES

Understanding the Self, Gallinero, et, al.,Mutya Publishing House Inc., Malabon City,
Philippines, 2018.

Understanding the Self, Brawer, Daisy G., Arcega, Analisa F., C & E Publishing Inc. Quezon
City, Philippines 2018.

Online reading of “The Self as Product of Society” by Ysa Camacho,

[Link]

Introduction to sociology: George Herbert Mead: the I and the me by Brooke Miller
[Link]

Cognitive Theory of Jean Piaget

[Link]

William James Theory of Self

[Link]

26
UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

27