UNIVERSITY OF
CALOOCAN CITY
Biglang Awa St., Corner Catleya St., EDSA, Caloocan City
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
UNDERSTANDING THE SELF
SUBJECT CODE: GE001
TOPIC OR LESSON 6: TO BUY OR NOT TO BUY? THAT IS THE
QUESTION! WEEK: 8
SUB-TOPIC/S: Material Self
OVERVIEW OF THE TOPIC
This module begins with a description of the material self and the components of
the material self. The motives for acquiring material possessions are explained as well as
the key roles that media can play in a person’s desire to acquire material possessions.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of this module, the student should be able to develop understanding
about the self and possessions as well as describe the basic components of the material
self. Furthermore, reflect on the value of material possession and having economic
sense on one’s self-development.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
a) explain the association of self and possessions;
b) identify the role of consumer culture to self and identity; and
c) appraise one’s self based on the description of material self.
ENGAGE
Activity: Debit Card Challenge
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A wealthy person gave you a debit card and told you to use it as much as you want to
make you happy. What are you going to do with it? Make a list of what you want to
have. Write as many as you want.
Check each item on your list. Put a mark on the left side of each item with the following
categories:
B - related with your body
C – related with clothes
F – intended to your family
H – related with home
Answer the following questions:
a. Which among the categories you have the most in your list?
b. What do you think these things tell you about yourself?
EXPLORE
Read about the Principles of Psychology by William James using this
link [Link]
EXPLAIN
MATERIAL SELF
A Harvard psychologist in the late nineteenth century, William James, wrote in his
book, The Principles of Psychology in 1890 that understanding the self can be examined
through its different components. He described these components as : (1) its
constituents; (2) the feelings and emotions they arouse – self –feelings; (3) the actions to
which they prompt- self- seeking and self-preservation. The constituents of self are
composed of the material self, the social self, the spiritual self and the pure ego.
(Trentmann 2016; Green 1997)
The material self, according to James primarily is about our bodies, clothes,
immediate family and home. We are deeply affected by these things because we
have put much investment of our self to them.
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Material Self Investment Diagram
The innermost part of our material self is our body. Intentionally, we are
investigating in our body. We are directly attached to this commodity that we cannot
live without. We strive hard to make sure that this body functions well and good. Any
ailment or disorder directly affects us. We do have certain preferential attachment or
intimate closeness to certain body parts because of its value to us.
There were people who get their certain parts insured. Celebrities, like Mariah
Carey who was reported to have placed a huge amount for the insurance of her vocal
cords and legs.
Next to our body are the clothes we use. Influenced by the “ Philosohy of Dress”
by Herman Lotze, James believed that clothing is an essential part of the material self.
Lotze in his book, Microcosmus, stipulates that “any time we bring an object into the
surface of our body, we invest that object into the consciousness of our personal
existence taking in its contours to be our own and making it part of the self.” (Watson
2014) The fabric and style of the clothes we wear bring sensations to the body to which
directly affect our attitudes and behavior. Thus, clothes are placed in the second
hierarchy of material self. Clothing is a form of self-expression. We choose and wear
clothes that reflect our self (Watson 2014).
Third in the hierarchy is our immediate family. Our parents and siblings hold
another great important part of our self. What they do or become affects us. When an
immediate family member dies, part of our self dies, too. When their lives are in success,
we feel their victories as if we are the one holding the trophy. In their failures, we are put
to shame or guilt. When they are in disadvantage situation, there is an urgent urge to
help like a voluntary instinct of saving one’s self from danger. We place huge
investment in our immediate family when we see them as the nearest replica of our self.
The fourth component of material self is our home. Home is where our heart is. It is
the earliest nest of our selfhood. Our experiences inside the home were recorded and
marked on particular parts and things in our home. There was an old cliché about
rooms: “if only walls can speak.” The home thus is an extension of self, because in it, we
can only directly connect our self.
Having investment of self to things, made us attached to those things. The more
investment of self-given to the particular thing, the more we identify ourselves to it. We
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also tended to collect and possess properties. The collections in different degree of
investment of self, becomes part of the self. As James (1890) described self: “a man‘s
self is the sum total of all what he CAN call his.” Possessions then become a part or an
extension of the self.
WE ARE WHAT WE HAVE
Russel Belk (1988) posits that “… we regard our possessions as part of ourselves.
We are what we have and what we possess.” The identification of the self to things
started in our infancy stage when we make a distinction among self and environment
and others who may desire our possessions.
As we grow older, putting importance to material possession decreases.
However, material possession gains higher value in our lifetime if we use material
possession to find happiness, associate these things with significant events,
accomplishments and people in our lives. There were even times, when material
possession of a person that is closely identified to the person, gains acknowledgement
with high regard even if the person already passed away. Examples of these are the
chair in the dining room on which the person is always seated, the chair will be the
constant reminder of the person seated there; a well-loved and kept vehicle of the
person, which some of the bereaved family members have a difficulty to sell or let go of
because that vehicle is very much identified with the owner who passed away; the
favourite pet or book, among others that the owner placed a high value, theses
favourite things are symbols of the owner.
The possessions that we dearly have tell something about who we are,our self
concept, our past and even our future.
ELABORATE
Reflection
“We regard our possessions as part of ourselves. We are what we have and what we
have possess.” – Russel Belk (1988)
Do you agree or disagree with Russell Belk’s point of view? Explain your answer.
Students will have to work on this during the asynchronous time. Submission shall be
made through Google classroom, messenger/email, whichever is accessible, before
the end of the meeting/class.
RUBRIC FOR ESSAY/ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS SCORE
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3 – The 2 – The 1 – The 0.5 – The 0–
E
explanation is explanation is explanation is explanation is Has no
N
directly relevant to the quite relevant to not clear and explanation
A
L
relevant to the topic. Most of the topic. Only has a very
E
topic. Every the details few of the rough
detail points details transition of
R
contribute to
toward the the contribute to idea. The
topic. development the details are
of the topic. development not relevant to
of the topic. the topic.
3 – The 2 – The 1 – The 0.5 – The 0–
T
explanation explanation explanation explanation Has no
N
N
M
shows at least 9 shows at least shows at 3 to 5 shows at explanation
E
U correct/valid 6 to 8 correct/valid most 2
evidences to correct/valid evidences to correct/valid
D
G
I
V
R
support his/her evidences to support his/her evidences to
answer. support his/her answer. support his/her
E
answer. answer.
2 – The 1.5 – The 1 – The 0.5 – The 0–
Y
explanation is explanation is explanation is explanation is Has no
R
clear, has a clear, has a somewhat clear not clear and explanation
very good good and has a has a very
C
flow of transition, most rough transition rough
discussion, of the details from one idea transition of
every detail is are to another. ideas.
connected to connected to
each other. each other.
2 – The 1.5 – The 1 – The 1.5 – The 0–
I
explanation explanation explanation explanation Has no
N
has no error has 1 to 2 has 3 to 4 has at least 5 explanation
H
C
in errors in errors in errors in
grammar, grammar, grammar, grammar,
T
spelling, and spelling, and spelling, and spelling, and
punctuations. punctuations. punctuations. punctuations.
OVERALL SCORE:
EVALUATE
On a bond of paper, create a collage of your treasured possessions. You may use
symbols or pictures. Put a short note why you treasure each item. You may use another
sheet of bond paper if necessary.
Take a clear picture of your output. Submission shall be made through Google
classroom, before the next meeting.
RUBRIC FOR SYMBOLIC DRAWING
Category 5 – Very Good 3 – Good 1 – Fair Score
Idea Student picks an
appropriate selection
Student has tried to
pick an appropriate
Student picks an
excerpt from the text
from the text that idea to base his/her that is not easily
displays understanding drawing on. The represented by a
of imagery to base thought and drawing, and the idea
his/her drawing about. originality could be has not been well
better. thought out.
Creation Student creates an
artistic representation
Student creates an
artistic
Student creates an
artistic
that clearly displays representation that representation that
connections to imagery has some has little or no
and their scene from connections to their application to
the text. The scene and imagery. his/her scene and
creation is creative, Creation lacks imagery.
neat, and well somewhat in planning Creation is thrown
executed. and together and lacks
creativity. thought, planning,
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neatness and originality.
Explanation Student can give an
in depth explanation
Student gives an
explanation as to why
Student is lacking an
explanation of how
as to why the the drawing and and why she/he
drawing and imagery are related. created the drawing
imagery relate. (Can Explanation is lacking to represent the
give sufficient details some detail and scene and imagery.
to depth, but thought Shows little or no
support this) was demonstrated in comprehension of the
Shows great the project. Shows link between text and
comprehension of the decent imagery.
link between ideas and comprehension of the
imagery and link between simple
symbolism and why ideas and imagery
they are used in art and symbolism.
and literature.
OVERALL SCORE
Understanding
st
the Self 1 ed.,
E.J. Alata, B.N. Caslib Jr., J.P.J. Serafica, & R.A. Pawilen. Rex Book Store Inc. Manila, Philippines. 2018
REFERENCES
Understanding the Self. S.L. Villafuerte, A.F. Quillope, R.C. Tunac, & E.I. Borja. Nieme Publishing House Co.
LTD. 2018
Classics in the History of Psychology. Green ,Christopher. 1997
[Link]
Are we what we own? Belk, Russell.1988
[Link]
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