Material Self
ACTIVITY : DEBIT CHART CHALLENGE
A VERY RICH MAN GAVE YOU A DEBIT
CARD AND TOLD YOU TO USE IT AS
MUCH AS YOU WANT TO MAKE
YOURSELF HAPPY.
MAKE A LIST OF WHAT YOU WANT TO
HAVE AND BUY. WRITE AS MANY AS
YOU WANT.
ACTIVITY : DEBIT CHART CHALLENGE
HOW DO YOU FEEL AS YOU DO THE DEBIT CHART
CHALLENGE?
WHICH AMONG THE ITEMS IN YOUR LIST YOU LIKE THE
MOST? SELECT JUST ONE.
IF YOU WERE GIVEN THE CHANCE IN REAL LIFE TO HAVE
ONE AMONG THE LIST, WHICH WOULD YOU CHOOSE?
WHY?
WILLIAM JAMES
“a total of all that he can call his, not only his
body and his psychic powers, but his clothes and
his house, his wife and children, his ancestors and
friends, his reputation and works, his lands, yacht
and bank account. All these things give him the
same emotions. If they wax and prosper, he feels
triumphant; if they dwindle and die away, he feels
cast down – not necessarily in the same degree for
each thing, but in much the same way for all.”
WHO WAS WILLIAM JAMES?
Material Self – person’s possessions
Body - The innermost of our Material Self.
- We are directly attached to this commodity we cannot live
without.
- We are investing in our Bodies.
- We strive hard to ensure that this body is functioning well
and well. Any ailment or disorder directly affects us.
Family - People such as immediate and extended family members
(my family) as well as close friends (my friend) that the person feels
psychologically connected.
FAMILY - These people are likely to shape and influence the
development of self and identity.
- Pets could also symbolically define a person’s identity.
- A person’s pet could express one’s social status, pride,
and prestige.
Clothes – The fabric and style of clothes directly affect our attitude
and behavior.
- Represent the self, clothing is a form of self-expression.
- We choose and wear clothes that reflect our self.
- include: Books, Bed, Money, Car, House, and Other things
that a person can call his possession
Home - Home is where our heart is. The earliest nest of our
childhood.
“if only walls speak”, home is an extension of self, because, in it,
we can directly connect ourselves.
“We regard our possessions as part of ourselves. We are what
we have and what we possess.” - Russel Belk
Effects of Material Possessions
- Regardless of how much or how little material possessions
people have, they are interested in material possessions.
- Possessions can be used as a status symbol.
Cars, houses, gadgets, and clothes are the most valuable
possessions because they are the most visible in the eyes of
others.
” The more expensive, the more other people are
impressed.”
Material Possessions
Can be a reflection of hard work and success
People tend to measure success through this
Can make people more motivated to work harder to achieve
them
Defining the self by this can also contribute to feelings of well–
being, including a sense of personal growth and purpose or
meaning in life.
Lack or loss of material possessions
can be disruptive to the mental health of some people
The strong desire for material possessions could have negative
effects
Materialism is the importance people give to material
possessions
Someone with a high level of materialism is called materialistic
→ A materialistic person is excessively concerned with the
acquisition of material possessions
Lack or loss of material possessions
The strong desire for material possessions could lead to
psychological dysfunction or impairment in functioning such as
Compulsive buying disorder (CBD) – characterized by an
obsession with shopping and buying behaviors that causes adverse
consequences (e.g. debts)
Psychologists are identifying social and cultural factors that seem
strongly implicated in the etiology of materialism
Lack or loss of material possessions could lead to anxiety,
insecurity, and depression
Thus, when a person is about to make a purchase, he should ask
himself/herself a very important question:
Before buying expensive wants we should first ask
ourselves “Do I really need this?”
→ Activity at Home: Collage Making
→
Create a collage of your treasured possessions
including your current clothing style. You may use
symbols or pictures of your treasured possessions.
Put a short note of why you treasure each item.