Body Image and Culture

Key Concepts of Physical Self

• Physical appearance strongly influences initial impressions, particularly facial features.
• Physical self encompasses perceived attributes like height, weight, skin tone, hair type, and facial features.
• Body image is the mental representation of one's physical self.
  • Positive body image involves confidence and happiness with one's body.
  • Negative body image involves critical self-assessment and dissatisfaction with one's body.

The Impact of Culture on Body Image

• Media representation often portrays unrealistic "ideal" body types (e.g., slim, tall models).
• Limited representation can lower self-esteem and create negative body image.
• Beauty standards vary across cultures: for example, the Philippines values fair skin and a smooth complexion, while Western cultures often emphasize slim physiques.
• Positive community support systems and values can reduce anxieties about unrealistic beauty standards.
• Communities promoting inclusivity improve confidence and self-image.

Importance of Beauty

• Confident individuals often build stronger social relationships.
• Feeling attractive can boost confidence in achieving goals.
• Physical appearance can influence perceived opportunities, although skills remain vital.

Body Image Issues and Eating Disorders

• Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD): Characterized by obsessive focus on perceived flaws. Examples include avoidance of situations due to imagined imperfections.
• Anorexia Nervosa: Extreme weight loss due to fear of gaining weight. Examples include skipping meals or isolating oneself to avoid eating.
• Bulimia Nervosa: Cycles of binge eating followed by purging. Examples include purging after overeating due to guilt.
• Binge Eating Disorder (BED): Episodes of overeating without purging. Examples include using food as an emotional coping mechanism.

The Sexual Self

• The sexual self encompasses one's understanding of their sexual orientation, desires, preferences, and relationships.
• The sexual self shapes identity and self-perception.

Development of Secondary Sex Characteristics

• Secondary sex characteristics develop during puberty, distinguishing males and females. Male characteristics: Deeper voice, increased muscle mass, body hair growth. Female characteristics: Breast enlargement, widening hips, menstruation onset.

Key Functions of the Human Reproductive System

• Produce sperm (male) or eggs (female) for reproduction.
• Hormones (e.g., estrogen, testosterone) develop secondary sex characteristics.
• Enhance understanding of sexual health and body awareness.

Erogenous Zones

• Sensitive areas that cause arousal when stimulated. Examples include lips, mouth, neck, ears, breasts and nipples, and inner thighs.

Human Sexual Response Cycle (Masters & Johnson)

• Excitement: Initial arousal phase (e.g., erection, lubrication).
• Plateau: Intensified responses (e.g., rapid breathing, muscle tension).
• Orgasm: Release of sexual tension (e.g., ejaculation, muscle contractions).
• Resolution: Return to normal body state; potential fatigue.

Chemistry of Lust, Love, and Attachment (Helen Fisher)

• Lust: Driven by sex hormones (testosterone, estrogen).
• Attraction: Involves adrenaline (arousal), dopamine (pleasure), and serotonin (obsessive thoughts).
• Attachment: Long-term intimacy influenced by oxytocin (cuddle hormone) and vasopressin.

Diversity of Sexual Behavior

• Masturbation: Self-stimulation of genitals.
• Sexual intercourse: Penetration between genitals.
• Sexual play: Various activities like kissing, role-playing, etc. Consent is crucial.
• Marital sex: Between spouses.
• Extramarital sex: Outside of marriage (considered infidelity in many cultures).

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

• Infections transmitted through sexual contact.
• Some are asymptomatic (no initial symptoms).
• Prevention measures include safe sex practices and screenings.

Unpacking the Material Self

• Definition: Tangible objects, places, or people that are associated with "my" or "mine."
  • Key components: body, clothing, family, home.

Needs vs. Wants

• Needs: Basic essentials for survival (food, shelter, clothing, healthcare).
• Wants: Non-essential desires (luxury items, vacations).
• Balancing needs and wants to avoid overspending.

Consumer Culture and Identity

• Consumer culture influenced by market and purchasing patterns, impacting identity.
• Influences on identity: Identity expression (e.g., buying items reflecting hobbies); social status (e.g., owning luxury goods); and belonging (purchasing items to fit in with groups).
• Buying habits reflect and shape individual identity.

Impact of Consumption

• Developing awareness of the impact of buying habits is crucial for a healthy relationship with possessions.

Unpacking the Spiritual Self

• Definition: Part of a person that seeks purpose, meaning, and connection beyond the material world.
  • Core elements include beliefs and values, and inner experiences that guide peace, purpose and connection to a higher power.

The Practice of Religion

• Belief in supernatural beings and powers (e.g., God, spirits).
• Examples include Christianity (omnipotent God), and indigenous cultures (ancestor spirits or nature spirits).

The Concept of "Dungan"

• Filipino concept of spiritual force; inner strength, spiritual energy, and vitality.
• Represents inner strength and protection from negativity.
• Belief that "dungan" transitions to another realm after death, reflecting views on spirituality and morality.

Rituals and Ceremonies

• Purpose: Expression of faith through connection to the divine, reinforcing community values.
• Types: life cycle (birth, marriage, death), seasonal (e.g., Diwali, Ramadan), and healing rituals.

Religion, Magic, and Witchcraft

• Religion: Organized beliefs and practices that connect individuals with the divine.
• Magic: Rituals or spells to influence events and outcomes.
• Witchcraft: Feared in many societies, often misunderstood.

Unpacking the Political Self

• Definition: How individuals perceive their roles and responsibilities within a political context.
• Components: beliefs and values about governance, actions of civic engagement, and participation in societal change.

Developing a Filipino Identity

• Filipino identity is shaped by cultural values, beliefs, and community influences.
• Key aspects: Bayanihan (spirit of communal unity), Resilience (ability to bounce back), Kapwa (importance of relationships), and institutional factors like family and cultural contexts.
• Democratic culture thrives on shared values and practices upholding democracy and its core elements (participation, respect for diversity, rule of law, and critical thinking).

Unpacking the Digital Self

• Definition: How an individual presents themselves online, which may differ from their real life self.
• Influencing factors: social media, cultural norms, and personal experiences.
• Unique online interactions and differences from face-to-face interactions as they concern body language, nonverbal cues, distance, tone and potential misunderstandings.
• Selective self-presentation: carefully curating online self-images through choosing which aspects of ourselves to share. Impression management: influencing how others perceive us online, potentially through adjusting behaviors or appearance.

Impact of Online Interactions on the Self

• Positive interactions can boost self-esteem, while negative interactions (e.g. cyberbullying) can harm mental health.

Boundaries of the Self Online

• Importance of setting online boundaries and maintaining personal data when online.
• Strategies to protect yourself online should include limiting personal information shared, controlling the visibility of that content, and prioritizing reflective posting.

Conclusion

• Digital self is complex and evolves with online interactions.
• Proficiency in the digital world involves understanding how we present ourselves online, managing impressions, and navigating digital spaces more authentically.
• Reflecting on personal experiences can lead to a more authentic online presence.

This quiz explores key concepts of physical self and the impact of culture on body image. It examines how perceptions of physical attributes and media representations influence self-esteem. Understand the variations in beauty standards across different cultures and the importance of community support in developing a positive body image.