Understanding

the Self
(Midterm Topics)
I. Physical Self
Objectives:
At the end of the discussion, you should be able to:
1. Explain the concept of physical self.
2. Discus ways on how to observe physical self-
care.
3. Enumerate practical tips on how to practice
physical self- care; and

Physical Self
 INTRODUCTION
” The physical body is conceived and constructed in
consciousness as are the time and space. All happens
within our self”
. Deepak Chopra

“Physical fitness is not only one of the most important

keys to healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and
creative activity”.
Physical Self
 ABSTACTION
The physical body is the window to one’s personality. By
merely looking at someone’s physical features, you can
have an idea of his or her own feelings, thoughts, and
behavior.

Much our resources has also been devoted the beauty

products and treatments in order to improve the way we
look, because we want others to have good impression of
who we are.
Physical Self
Shavelson described the total self or general self as being made up of
academic self and nonacademic self. Academic self is influenced
by the learning process and the individual's emotions, behavior, and
experiences during the learning process Nonacademic self is shaped
by an individual's social self, emotional self, and physical self. The
social self is greatly influenced by parents, colleagues, friends and
acquaintances among others. Emotional self is the person's
experiences of joy, anger, fear, anxiety, and other emotions. On the
other hand, physical self is affected by involvement in sports,
exercise, and other activities that enhance the physical body
(Medišauskaite 2009). Physical Self
KR Fox (2000) emphasized the factors that encompass physical self-esteem, which include sport competence,
attractive body, physical power and physical condition, and how they actually shape the global self-esteem.

Physical self is the amazing vessel, complex woven and knitted,

finely tuned creature with which we interact with our environment
and fellow beings. The physical self is the concrete dimension, the
tangible aspect of the person that can be directly observed and
examined. It is composed of systems that receive and respond to
various external and internal stimuli.

Physical Self
Theoretical Foundation
of Physical Self
Sigmund Freud's concept of self and
personality makes the physical body the core
of human experience. Freud stated that ego
is first and foremost a body ego. Moreover, Sigmund Freud

Wilhelm Reich emphasized the unity of the

mind and body. The body is central to all
dynamic psychological functioning and it
plays a very important role in storing and
channeling the bioenergy, which is
considered as the basis of human existence Wilhelm Reich

and experience (Singh 2020).

Physical Self
Theoretical Foundation
of Physical Self
Meanwhile, Erik Erikson considered
experience as firmly associated on the
ground-plan of the body He stated that Erik Erikson Abraham Maslow

organs of the body are essential during the

early developmental stages of a person.
Maslow provided a very important lesson
about our physical bodies when he laid
down Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Once
the physiological needs are met, the person
becomes dedicated to attaining the higher-
order needs.
Physical Self
Taking Care of Physical Self

The physical body has been considered as the “real home"

"temple” or "Vehicle". It is the only one that we have
throughout our entire lives and is also the one most intimate
to us.
Self-care is the intentional, planned, and actual act of taking
the time to attend to our basic physical, mental, and
emotional needs (Brzosko 2018). It is quality rest that we
offer to our bodies in order to replenish the lost energy
utilized in performing our daily activities.

Physical Self
Taking Care of Physical Self
This aspect of self-care is the simplest one and is very common
nowadays. There are three basic aspects of physical self-care, and these
include good nutrition, sufficient amount of recovery time (rest and sleep),
and necessary exercise. Others might have other ways to care for the
body depending on the specific need and preferences, like breathing
exercises, massages, long baths, saunas. physiotherapy, biking, hiking,
skin care, and more.

Physical Self
II. Sexual Self
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
1 describe the concept of sexual self,
2 recognize your own sexual self and behavior, and
3. discuss ways on how to protect one's sexual self

Physical Self
Sex versus Gender
Expression
Sex refers to the physical or physiological differences between males
and females, including both the primary sex characteristics (the
reproductive system) and the secondary characteristics, such as
height and muscularity (Diamond 2002). Sex is therefore, defined by
the reproductive organs, including the cellular components, the
chromosomes, and the hormones. There are three sex variations
according to WAAC or Western Australian AIDS Council (2020):

Sexual Self
Sex versus Gender
Expression
According to Diamond (2002), gender refers to social or cultural roles
played by male or female in the society. Gender identity is the extent to which
one identifies as being either masculine or feminine, or how someone feels on
the inside (WAAC 2020),
Meanwhile, gender expression describes how someone prefers to express
his or her gender to the world. For instance, we have been accustomed to
associating color pink to girls and blue for boys. From childhood, we give dolls
for baby girls, while trucks or plastic guns for baby boys Men are sporty, while
women are encouraged to use makeup, do hairstyle, and paint their nails. There
are three gender variations (WAAC 2020).

Sexual Self
• Male is a person with the penis or the male
reproductive organ, with XY chromosomes in
his cells and the body is capable of producing
high levels of testosterone.
• Female is a person with vagina or the female
reproductive organ,
• Intersex is a person born with the sexual
anatomy or chromosomes that do not fit the
traditional definition of male or female The
person has the combination of reproductive sex
organs, including internal sex organs.
chromosomes, and hormones.

Sexual Self
 Three Variation of Gender
• The first is cisgender who is a person identifying himself or herself with
the sex assigned to them at birth. For example, a person who was
assigned as a male at birth and identifies as male or vice versa.
• The second is transgender whose gender identity does not match the sex
that they were assigned at birth For example, a person who was assigned
as a male at birth, but identifies as female, or vice versa.
• The last type is gender fluid, referring to a person whose gender identity
is not fixed and/or shifts depending on the situation. These people do not
feel the need to act according to the sex that they were assigned at birth
and the associated traditional social roles.

Sexual Self
 Sexuality
Sexuality pertains to the part of a person expressed through sexual activities and
relationships. It is often represented through one's feelings, sexual identity, and
behaviors. Sexual identity is how a person chooses to describe or label his or her
sexuality
• Heterosexual is a person who is attracted to the
people of the opposite sex.
• Homosexual who is a person attracted to the
people of the same sex.
• Bisexual is a person who is attracted to both
genders-male and female.
• Asexual is a person having no sexual attraction.
• Pansexual refers to a person's attraction to
multiple genders.
• Questioning refers to some people who may be
unsure about their sexuality and/or are exploring
it.
Sexual Self
Queer Theory
Queer theory is a perspective that questions the
manner in which we have been taught to think about
sexual orientation. The proponents of the theory
disagree with the idea of labeling and they embrace
the term "queer" to describe their group. They do not
adhere to the idea of dominant gender schema and
the classification of sexual orientations into Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick
Queer theorist

homosexual and heterosexual. They emphasize the

need for a more flexible and fluid conceptualizations
of sexuality, one that will permit freedom, negotiation,
and change (Little and McGivern, 2020)

Sexual Self
III. Material Self
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
1 describe the concept of material self,
2 recognize your own consumer behavior, and
3. discuss ways on how to protect one’s material self

Material Self
 Compulsive Buying Behavior
People
(CBB)with CBB may shop more than
they can afford or need, and may
have difficulty controlling their
shopping. They may also experience
pre-purchase anxiety or tension, and
feel a sense of relief after making a
purchase. Recent researchers
indicates that compulsive buying
behavior affects almost 5% of adult
population in developed countries –
particularly women in low income
groups.
Material Self
 Material/Economic Self
Personality is defined as a sum of total of outer physiological as well as the
inner psychological characteristics that determine and reflect how a person
reacts to his environment.
The term personality has been defined varied, so has been the evolution, the
concepts of nurture and nature are always in a debate. Some look personality as
a unified whole, other focus on specific personality traits.
In other words, personality trait is a person inclination to behave in a particular
way while interacting with external environment to achieve goals. Meanwhile, a
group of personality who share personality traits falls into a personality class.

Material Self
 Consumer Personality
Consumer Personality is defined as the characteristics that determine and
reflect how consumer make choices with regard to buying patterns and
consumption behavior. Consumer purchase patterns are always influenced
by their personality traits. Just as all consumers, have different personality
make ups, the decision choices with regard to purchase of products and
brand also differ especially when those product and brand match their
personality traits. By that, personality traits could be general as well as
consumption will be specific. This unique dynamic organization of
characteristics of a particular person, physical and psychological influence
behavior and responses to the social and physical cues.

Material Self
The Freudian Theory and
Consumption

The Freudian theory holds relevance for studying

consumer behavior. The consumer reaction with
respect to purchase decisions and post purchase
behavior are a reflection of individual
personality. The three elements namely; Id, Ego
and Superego can used as explanation of
consumer behavior.

Material Self