Understanding the Physical Self

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Questions and Answers

What is the term for the biological process of inheritance of traits from parents to offspring?

Evolution

Development

Environment

Genetics (correct)

Which stage of development occurs from birth to 2 weeks?

Early Childhood

Babyhood

Puberty

Infancy (correct)

At what stage does adolescence typically occur?

18-24 years

10-14 years

6-12 years

14-18 years (correct)

Which of the following statements best describes the Physical Self?

It refers to the body that can be directly observed. Signup and view all the answers

Which stage of life is characterized by rapid physical changes and typically starts around age 10 or 12?

Puberty Signup and view all the answers

What factor includes learning and experiences that may affect an individual's growth?

Environment Signup and view all the answers

What is the age range for Middle Adulthood according to Hurlock's stages of development?

40 to 60 years Signup and view all the answers

Which philosopher viewed the body as the initial source of sensation and essential for personality development?

William James Signup and view all the answers

What primary emotion can magazine articles evoke in readers regarding their personal choices?

Dissatisfaction Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'gerontophobia' refer to?

Fear of ageing Signup and view all the answers

According to cultural studies, how is the concept of 'ageing' perceived?

As a cultural and biological concept Signup and view all the answers

What is a common portrayal of ageing in media according to the content?

A disease that requires treatment Signup and view all the answers

Why is the topic of ageing significant in cultural studies?

It affects everyone eventually Signup and view all the answers

What does Freud's construction of self and personality emphasize as central to human experience?

The physical body Signup and view all the answers

According to Erikson, what role do bodily organs play in an individual's life?

They are crucial during early developmental stages. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of self-actualization have Maslow and Rogers not extensively discussed?

The role of the body Signup and view all the answers

In Eastern traditions, including Yoga, how is the body perceived?

As a vehicle for spiritual growth. Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of the Middle Path emphasize in relation to the body?

A balanced approach to desires. Signup and view all the answers

Who was the first artist to create a canon for human body proportions in ancient Greece?

Polyclitus Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Golden Ratio in the context of beauty?

It creates a model for human face proportions. Signup and view all the answers

What common aspect is emphasized by the multibillion-pound beauty industry?

Perfection of the body. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary criticism of the beauty industry according to Orbach?

It reinforces a belief in the 'perfectible body' leading to instability. Signup and view all the answers

According to Natasha Walter, how does media representation affect women's perceptions of beauty?

It misleads women into believing that beauty is synonymous with personal success. Signup and view all the answers

What term describes a man who invests significant time and money into his appearance and fashion?

Metrosexual Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'beauty myth' refer to as described in the content?

The societal pressure for women to maintain unrealistic beauty standards. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence for women who feel pressured to conform to beauty standards?

Feelings of inadequacy and dissatisfaction with their bodies. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the impact of airbrushed images on young women?

They contribute to heightened dissatisfaction with their own appearances. Signup and view all the answers

What does Germaine Greer suggest regarding beauty and women?

Women are judged primarily on their beauty, overshadowing their achievements. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a form of body alteration suggested by media?

Natural skincare routines Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Understanding the Self

This presentation discusses the physical self, focusing on its development and cultural influences.
Learning outcomes include understanding the stages of life and physical changes, the roles of genetics and environment, body image, and cultural impact.
The presentation includes an activity asking students to reflect on their body image.

Part II, Chapter 6: The Physical Self

The physical self is the tangible aspect of a person that can be observed and examined.
It encompasses physical extremities and internal organs, functioning together for activities like breathing, walking, eating, and sleeping.
Physical capabilities change gradually throughout an individual's aging process.

Elizabeth Hurlock Stages of Development

Prenatal: Fertilization to birth
Infancy: Birth to two weeks
Babyhood: Two weeks of life to two years
Early Childhood: Two to six years
Late Childhood: Six to ten or twelve years old
Puberty: Ten or twelve to fourteen years old
Adolescence: Fourteen to eighteen years old
Early Adulthood: Eighteen to forty years old
Middle Adulthood: Forty to sixty years old
Late Adulthood or Senescence: Sixty years to death

Two Factors Affecting Physical Growth and Development

Heredity: The biological process of inheriting traits from parents.
Environment: Factors a person is exposed to throughout life, including learning and experiences.

Quotes

"Man is a transitional being? This body is a bridge." —Sri Arubindo.
"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 (Detailed)

The physical self is the concrete dimension, the tangible aspect of the person observable and examined.
It refers to the body, encompassing physical extremities and internal organs which work together for bodily functions like breathing, walking, eating, and sleeping.
The body's ability to perform its functions changes with aging.

Key Psychological Figures on the Physical Self

William James considered the body as the initial source of sensation and essential for personality.
Sigmund Freud's theory of self and personality places the physical body at the core of human experience.
Erik Erikson (1963) emphasized the role of bodily organs, particularly in the early development stages of individuals, influencing the development of skills and sense of competence.
Humanists like Maslow recognized physiological needs as fundamental but emphasized that after meeting these needs, individuals focus on higher order needs (and in that context, the body is recognized to be important).

Eastern Traditions on the Physical Self

Eastern traditions, particularly Indian philosophies (like Yoga), have varied views on the body.
Attitudes range from rejecting the body (as a source of desires and attachments) to appreciating it as the vehicle for spiritual growth and self-realization.

Beauty and Ageing

The multibillion-dollar beauty industry significantly influences attitudes toward physical appearances. (e.g., effects of the multibillion-pound business of the beauty industry)
There's a pressure to perfect the female and male body that is driven by the culture.

Origins of Perfection

Polyclitus in ancient Greece established a canon of proportions as a model of perfection for the human body.
The human head conforms to a Golden Rectangle, with the eyes at the midpoint. The mouth and nose each align with Golden Section proportions of the face, which can be used to craft and evaluate beauty.

The Grooming Industry

Multinational corporations like Estée Lauder, L'Oréal, Shiseido, and Unilever control the beauty industry.
There are debates about the industry's positioning of women as objects of consumption or enabling self-determination.

Cultural Views on the Physical Self—Orbach

Orbach highlights a cultural belief in a perfectible body, which ironically creates instability and suffering.
Media images of airbrushed perfection contribute to dissatisfaction with physical appearances, especially for women.

Cultural Views on the Physical Self—Other Perspectives

Germaine Greer noted that a woman's value is often tied to her beauty.
Media portrayals can lead women to feel guilty for their choices about careers and children, as depicted through media images.

Nip 'n' Tuck

The author of Living Dolls, Natasha Walter, criticizes the media's portrayal of female body modifications as acts of empowerment.
Common practices including breast implants, fake nails, spray tans, are NOT acts of empowerment per se, according to Walter.

Male Beauty

Male beauty standards and practices in the beauty industry are also influenced by societal pressure.
Males participate in waxing, use numerous beauty products, and sometimes undergo surgery (e.g., Rhinoplasty, tummy tucks).

Metrosexuality

The term "metrosexuality" describes a young, metropolitan man who invests significantly in his appearance.
There is an increasing pressure on men to regulate and sculpt their bodies to maintain muscularity standards.

Media Images and Perspectives

Magazine articles often contribute to feelings of dissatisfaction among readers about their own appearance.
Media often discusses women and their need to manage choices about careers or children.

Ageing

"Ageing" is a significant cultural topic that deals with identity, specifically with the identity of "oldness".
People experience anxiety about ageing due to how ageing is portrayed in culture.
Cultures vary on how ageing people are valued by society, sometimes leading to a desire to counteract the effects of ageing (anti-ageing creams, etc.).

Cultural Variation in Body Modification

Different cultures have widely varying ideas about body modifications.
Examples of cultural body modifications are displayed in the presentation.

Conclusion—Beauty

To conclude, the concept of beauty is culturally contextual and has varied interpretations from different cultures and historical periods.
Beauty and body modifications are viewed differently by genders and individuals regardless of historical/cultural background.
Coco Chanel's quote "Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself" reflects a focus on self-acceptance and authenticity.

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Description

This quiz explores the concept of the physical self, emphasizing its development and cultural influences across different life stages. Students will reflect on their personal body image while learning about genetic, environmental, and cultural factors affecting physical changes throughout life. The content is based on Elizabeth Hurlock's stages of development.