Psychology of Aging and Body Image

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Questions and Answers

Magazine articles can make readers feel dissatisfied with who they are, especially regarding the choice between having children or a ______.

career

The increasing cultural interest in 'ageing' reflects a concern that affects everyone, as it is a fear of becoming part of a ______ group.

minority

Although bodies will age biologically, the identification of what is considered 'old' is culturally ______.

mutable

Many anti-ageing creams treat the signifiers of age as a concern that needs to be ______.

treated Signup and view all the answers

Gerontophobia is described as a powerful anxiety stemming from the fear of ______.

ageing Signup and view all the answers

The stages of life include prenatal, infancy, and ______.

babyhood Signup and view all the answers

The process of inheritance of traits from parents to offspring is known as ______.

heredity Signup and view all the answers

Factors that affect body image can include cultural influences and ______.

environment Signup and view all the answers

William James regarded the body as the initial source of sensation and essential for the origin and maintenance of ______.

personality Signup and view all the answers

During puberty, individuals typically experience many physical changes between ages to .

10 Signup and view all the answers

The period of late adulthood is defined as the time from age 60 to ______.

death Signup and view all the answers

The physical self is the ______ dimension that can be directly observed and examined.

concrete Signup and view all the answers

The beauty industry is a multibillion dollar business controlled by just a handful of ______.

multinationals Signup and view all the answers

Germaine Greer argues that every woman knows she is a failure if she is not ______.

beautiful Signup and view all the answers

Adolescence typically spans from ages to .

14 to 18 Signup and view all the answers

Wolf describes the phenomenon of women feeling forced to wear make-up as part of the ______ myth.

beauty Signup and view all the answers

Natasha Walter critiques a culture that promotes ______ as liberating for women.

alterations Signup and view all the answers

Rising numbers of males are now getting ______ and using numerous beauty products.

waxed Signup and view all the answers

The term 'metroseuxality' describes a type of young man focused on ______ his body.

beautifying Signup and view all the answers

The debate continues about whether the beauty industry positions women as objects of ______.

consumption Signup and view all the answers

Orbach highlights a cultural belief in a ‘______ body’ that has led to increased instability.

perfectible Signup and view all the answers

Sigmund Freud's construction of self and personality makes the physical body the core of human ______.

experience Signup and view all the answers

Erikson highlighted the role of bodily ______ during early developmental stages.

organs Signup and view all the answers

According to Maslow's Need-Hierarchy theory, once the physiological needs are met, individuals focus on higher order ______.

needs Signup and view all the answers

The Indian tradition, including schools of Yoga, has various views on the ______ as a vehicle for spiritual growth.

body Signup and view all the answers

The Middle Path in Buddhist tradition promotes a balanced attitude towards the body, avoiding both ______ indulgence and extreme asceticism.

full Signup and view all the answers

In ancient Greece, Polyclitus devised a canon for the human body, believing certain ______ would represent a model of perfection.

proportions Signup and view all the answers

The human head forms a Golden Rectangle with the eyes located at the ______-point.

mid Signup and view all the answers

Some modern surgeons apply knowledge of the Golden ______ to create aesthetic beauty.

Ratio Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Understanding the Self

The presentation is about understanding the self, specifically focusing on the physical self.
The presenter is Prof. Jennifer T. Composa from Western Mindanao State University (WMSU).
The presentation is for instructional purposes only.

Part II:

Chapter 6 - The Physical Self

The physical self represents the concrete, tangible aspect of an individual, encompassing not just our outward appearance but also the intricate systems that function within us.
This includes not only physical extremities, such as arms and legs, but also vital internal organs like the heart, lungs, and brain, which all play essential roles in maintaining overall health and enabling interaction with the external environment.

Learning Outcomes

Identify the stages of life and describe the physical changes occurring during each stage, including significant periods like prenatal development, infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old age.
Recognize the dual contributions of genetics—such as inherited traits and predispositions—and environmental influences like nutrition, social interactions, and cultural practices to physical development.
Define and explain the various factors affecting body image, including societal standards, personal perceptions, and psychological aspects.
Analyze the multifaceted impact of culture on body image, including how different societies perceive beauty, health, and self-worth, which can lead to varied attitudes towards the physical self.

Activity

Consider what body part(s) you like least and most, encouraging a personal reflection on self-esteem and the influences of societal norms on one's perceptions of physical attractiveness.
Reflect on whether you consider yourself beautiful or average and why, which can lead to deeper insights into personal identity and the impact of external validation.

Quote

"To keep the body in good health is a duty...otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear." - Buddha

The Physical Self Defined

The physical self transcends mere appearance; it encapsulates the concrete dimension of an individual’s being, which is all the more relevant when considering both functionality and aesthetics.
This concept refers comprehensively to the body, emphasizing how the physical extremities and internal organs collaborate harmoniously to enable various movements and bodily functions.
Moreover, it is noteworthy that the body’s functions undergo significant changes as a person ages, affecting aspects like metabolism, strength, and flexibility, which in turn influence one's overall lifestyle and well-being.

Elizabeth Hurlock Stages of Development

The accompanying presentation incorporates a detailed table outlining the various stages of human development, clearly illustrating how physical changes manifest over time.

Two Factors Affecting Physical Growth and Development

Heredity plays a crucial role as it encompasses the biological inheritance received from one’s parents, influencing various traits such as height, body shape, and predisposition to certain health conditions.
Environment encompasses a wide array of factors that can impact an individual throughout their life, such as access to healthcare, education, nutrition, as well as the social and cultural contexts in which they are raised.

Additional Definitions

"Man is a transitional being; this body is a bridge." - Sri Aurobindo, underscores the notion that our physical existence serves as a crucial connection between our spiritual selves and the material world.
The physical self is thus described not just as a biological vessel but as a marvelous container that functions as a complex, finely tuned machine essential for interaction with the environment and other individuals.

Important Figures in the Study of the Physical Self

William James viewed the body as a primary source of sensations, recognizing its necessity for the development of personality, emphasizing the intimate connection between bodily experiences and identity formation.
Similarly, Sigmund Freud posited that the physical body forms the core of human experience, shaping desires and motivations that influence personality and social relationships.
Erik Erikson (1963) highlighted the significance of bodily organs in early development, suggesting that physical and intellectual skills play a foundational role in determining one's functions and roles within society.
Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers, representing humanistic psychology, argued that while the physical self is crucial, its importance diminishes once basic physiological and safety needs are met, paving the way for higher-order psychological needs, such as belonging, esteem, and self-actualization.

Cultural Influences on the Physical Self

In Eastern traditions, particularly within Indian philosophies, the perception of the body spans a spectrum from outright rejection as an illusion to profound appreciation as the vessel for experiencing life and engaging with the divine.
Such cultural attitudes recognize that while bodies can be sources of attachment and suffering, they are also viewed as vehicles for spiritual growth and enlightenment, contributing to concepts of karma and reincarnation.
The Buddhist principle of the "Middle Path" influences perspectives towards the body by encouraging a balanced approach—neither succumbing to self-indulgence nor adhering to extreme asceticism—thereby promoting overall well-being and mindfulness.

Beauty and Ageing

The beauty industry has a significant influence on societal perceptions of beauty, shaping ideals and standards that often dictate how individuals perceive their own physical selves.
Indeed, both the female and male bodies are frequently subject to the pressure of being continuously perfected, leading to an environment where dissatisfaction and comparison become commonplace.

Origins of Perfection

In historical contexts, figures like Polyclitus emerged, defining what was considered the ideal bodily proportions through mathematical principles that promoted a notion of perfection.
The use of the golden rectangle and the golden ratio in art and architecture established idealized forms that have perpetuated the concept of beauty through the ages, influencing not just aesthetic ideals but also cultural values surrounding physical appearance.

The Grooming Industry: A Battle for Women's Bodies

The beauty industry has evolved into a multi-billion dollar enterprise dominated by several multinational corporations such as Estée Lauder and L'Oréal, which heavily influence societal standards of beauty.
Within this industry, women are frequently positioned as objects of consumption, subject to marketing strategies that capitalize on insecurities and promote unattainable beauty ideals.
The ongoing debate surrounding gender and image revolves around the dichotomy of women being perceived as either mere objects for consumption or as individuals exercising agency and control over their personal image and self-expression.

More Perspectives on the Physical Self

Susan Orbach emphasizes that the notion of the "perfectible body" has become increasingly "unstable," primarily due to the pervasive cultural beliefs and images that bombard society, leading to fluctuating standards and expectations of physical appearance.
Moreover, media images significantly heighten the pressure to conform to idealized beauty standards, contributing to an increasing rate of dissatisfaction and, subsequently, unhappiness among both men and women when they feel unable to meet these expectations.
Germaine Greer posited that many women experience a sense of failure and inadequacy if they do not adhere to prevailing beauty standards, indicating the profound psychological impact of societal pressures.
In a critical assessment, Natasha Walter highlights the media's portrayal of the body as an entity that ought to be modified or altered, fostering unrealistic comparisons and expectations among the populace.
Furthermore, it is essential to note that the male demographic is not exempt from the influence of the beauty industry; an increasing number of men are seeking cosmetic procedures to enhance their appearances, indicating a shift in societal norms regarding masculinity and beauty.
The term "metrosexuality" has emerged to describe a modern male who places a high value on body aesthetic and personal grooming, reflecting evolving attitudes toward masculinity and self-care in contemporary society.

Media Images Influencing the Physical Self

Media articles and portrayals can create feelings of dissatisfaction or guilt regarding life choices made by women, particularly concerning societal expectations around motherhood, career, and the balance of both roles.

Ageing

Ageing remains a culturally significant topic because it is a universal experience that affects every individual directly, unlike certain more niche classifications that may only affect smaller population subsets.
Gerontophobia reflects the fear of aging, often stemming from societal attitudes that tend to view aging as inherently negative, leading to anxiety and discomfort regarding the process of growing older.
It is crucial to recognize that cultural contexts—both geographical and historical—play a pivotal role in shaping perceptions of what constitutes "old," influencing how aging individuals are treated and how they perceive themselves.

Other Considerations

The images shared in the presentation depict diverse cultural perspectives and practices regarding body modifications, highlighting how different societies approach bodily aesthetics and alterations.
Ultimately, this presentation underlines the imperative notion that beauty standards are not static; they fluctuate significantly across various cultures and historical periods, indicating a dynamic relationship between society, culture, and the individual’s physical self.

Studying That Suits You

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Description

This quiz explores key concepts related to aging, body image, and perceptions of life stages. Participants will examine cultural influences on feelings about aging and the impact of societal norms on personal identity. Test your knowledge on gerontology and body image factors.