Understanding the Self (Reviewer) PDF

Understanding the Philosophical Perspectives on the Self Socratic Philosophy Self (Reviewer) Socrates, Known as the "Father of Created by: Maria✮...

Understanding the Philosophical Perspectives on the Self Socratic Philosophy Self (Reviewer) Socrates, Known as the "Father of Created by: Maria✮ Western Philosophy," emphasized the imperative of self-knowledge. ○ "An unexamined life is not Lesson I: Defining the Self: worth living." - Socrates Personal and Developmental ○ Describes the self as a union Perspectives on Self and Identity of body and soul, where true essence resides in the soul. The Importance of Self-Understanding Platonic Ideas A. Provides a Sense of Purpose Plato posits that moral virtue is tied - Understanding the self is crucial for to intellect, ultimately leading to determining one's purpose and happiness. direction in life. ○ Describes three components B. Leads to Healthier Relationships of the soul: Rational - Self-awareness helps clarify Spirited personal desires in relationships, Appetitive leading to more intentional ○ Justice is achieved when communication and actions. these components function harmoniously. C. Helps Harness Natural Strengths St. Augustine - Identifying strengths allows for realistic planning and Introduced a two-step process for self-acceptance, minimizing the self-realization through tendency to dwell on shortcomings. self-presentation and introspection. D. Promotes Confidence Thomas Aquinas - Acting on personal desires leads to resilience and belief in one’s vision Describes man as composed of for a better future. matter (hyle) and form (morphe). The combination creates substances. ○ Example: A sculptor shaping marble exemplifies the  relationship between matter It focused on perception and the and form harmony between intention and execution, stating that consciousness Rene Descartes revolves around action. Declaring the essence of self as a Lesson 2: Understanding the "Thinking thing" independent of the physical body. Self: The Self, Society, and ○ Famous for the phrase: Culture "I think, therefore I am." This emphasizes conscious Characteristics of the Self existence. Separate: Each individual possesses David Hume a self that is distinct from others, marked by various identities shaped Proposed that the self consists of by: impressions (basic sensations) and ○ Age: Cultural perceptions of ideas (copies of impressions). age influence how ○ Self-perceived as a bundle of individuals are treated. perceptions constantly ○ Class Identity: Social class changing. influences communication and behavior. Immanuel Kant ○ National Identity: Citizenship shapes a person's Reason is central to morality; the identity. mind constructs experiences through ○ Gender: Gender identity rational thought. results from treatment by family and peers. Gilbert Ryle ○ Spiritual Identity: This is Defined the self by behavior, shaped by cultural and suggesting a dual history: public contextual perceptions. (physical actions) and private ○ Personal Identity: It reflects (mental states). how one perceives oneself and interacts with others. Patricia Churchland Self-Contained: Emphasizing Argued for the connection between autonomy, the self is characterized neuroscience and self; proposed that by independence from others. the brain formulates identity. Independent: The self can autonomously function without Merleau-Ponty  needing others for validation or Symbolic Interaction: Meaningful existence. relationships and family communications foster emotional Consistent: The self maintains a bonds shaped by shared rituals and coherent and stable identity over practices. time. Language Development: Unitary: All experiences and Developing language allows thoughts converge within the self. individuals to express emotions and adapt their self-understanding within Private: The self navigates an social contexts. isolated internal world that shapes its unique experiences. Acquiring a Self: The Process of Self-Constitution Two Faces of the Self - According to George Herbert - Understanding the self includes Mead, self-concept is constructed embracing aspects of both Personne through language and socialization. and Moi. The Personne relates to the Engaging in play and games allows social identity molded by individuals to navigate multiple interactions and the contexts one roles, fostering an understanding of develops, which involves external others' perspectives and feelings expectations, while the Moi refers to while solidifying their identity. the intrinsic sense of self. Self-Development Mechanisms The Theory of the Social Self Language: Critical for expression and communication, shaping one's - The theory posits that the self conception of self through societal emerges from social interactions and interactions. the internalization of external opinions. Pioneered by figures such Play: During early development, as Vygotsky, it focuses on how role-playing facilitates moderating anxiety through self-awareness and understanding of consistent behavior influences societal expectations. self-esteem and identity development. Games: Participation in games introduces the concept of rules, Social Self Dynamics reinforcing the necessity of compliance and engagement with Gestures: Non-verbal cues are social structures. crucial in establishing communication between individuals. Personification and the Primary Self  - The concepts of Good Me and Bad ★ James Marcia: Identified four Me refer to the experiences that statuses of identity: foreclosure, shape a child's self-awareness based achievement, moratorium, and on positive and negative feedback diffusion. received through familial and social interactions. These experiences ★ Charles H. Cooley: Proposed the influence how individuals perceive "Looking-glass self", asserting that themselves and navigate their individuals reflect on their identities. self-concept through societal interactions. Significant Others and Generalized ★ George H. Mead: Explored the role Others of taking the perspective of others in Significant Others: Close self-development. relationships that serve as a reference for self-identity. ★ Rom Harre and Langenhove: Introduced Positioning Theory, Generalized Others: The societal specifying how identity is norms and attitudes that individuals constructed through discourse. internalize, shaping their self-concept. Lesson 3: The Physical Self: Identity Formation Theories Understanding the Impact of the Body on Identity - Identity formation is an ongoing process influenced by interactions at Impact of Physical Appearance multiple societal levels, including The Physical Self is defined as an family dynamics and societal individual's concrete and observable contexts. Theories from Erik dimension. Erikson, James Marcia, and George H. Mead highlight how identity is William James: The physical body embraced and negotiated through serves as an essential source of experiences. sensation. Theories Overview Sigmund Freud: The physical body ★ Erik Erikson: Introduced the is central to human experience. psychosocial stages of identity Erik Erikson: Bodily organs are development, emphasizing the essential during early developmental tension between identity and role stages. confusion during adolescence.  driven by the belief in an unattainably thin ideal. Self-Worth and Body Image Body Dysmorphic Disorder Self-Perception: How we regard (BDD): Individuals with BDD often ourselves based on physical perceive themselves as flawed attributes. despite reassurances from others and may dedicate considerable effort Perception of Others: How we to altering their appearance. view others based on their appearances. Body Shaming: Refers to mocking or criticizing someone's physical Believed Perception of Others: appearance, which can have How we think others see us, often devastating effects on self-esteem. echoing our insecurities. The inconsistency of beauty standards Somatic Society across cultures reveals the subjective nature of beauty—“Beauty is in the eye of the - As introduced by Bryan Turner, beholder.” where personal identity increasingly aligns with physical presentation. Beauty Standards and Self-Reflection - The societal focus on beauty can lead - The culture of beauty prompts to harmful behaviors such as eating introspection with questions such as: disorders, body dysmorphic “What do you find physically disorders, and body shaming attractive in a person?” initiatives. This mirrors our desire to identify Body Image Issues: Examples and our beauty. Consequences Several conditions highlight the negative Ultimately, the central theme reiterates: impact of societal beauty standards: “Love yourself first because that’s who you will be spending the rest of your life Bulimia Nervosa: Characterized by with.” episodes of binge eating followed by purging, this condition is often Lesson 4: Material Self exacerbated by exposure to idealized body images, such as those presented Association of Self and Possessions by dolls like Barbie. Belk (1988) states that our possessions are integral to our Anorexia Nervosa: Involves identity. extreme weight loss and refusal to Our self-identity is directly linked to maintain a healthy body weight, what we possess. The desire to own connects with our  material self. ○ Family successes are personally felt as William James on the Self achievements. ○ The loss of a family member William James (1890) describes self feels like losing a part of as having various components: oneself. ○ Constituents of Self: Home: Represents emotional Material self attachment; described as "where the Social self heart is." Spiritual self Pure ego ○ Experiences within the home shape self-identity. ○ Self-feelings: The emotions associated with self Self-Investment and Material Possessions ○ Self-actions: Actions linked Self-investment in possessions leads to self-preservation and to a deeper identity connection. seeking The more one invests emotionally or Components of the Material Self physically in an object, the more it Material self encompasses: becomes part of the self. Body: The most intimate part of Tendency to collect items as an our material self. extension of self. ○ We strive to maintain its Semiotics and Material Possessions functionality and well-being. Roland Barthes: ○ Emotional connections to ○ Explored relationships between body parts due to their people and objects. importance. ○ Objects serve as signs that ○ Any health issue affects our convey meanings beyond overall well-being. functionality. ○ Example: Mariah Carey ○ Semiology: Study of objects as ensures her vocal cords and signs. legs are correct. ○ Semiotics: Study of signs and their meanings in Clothes: Serve as a form of communication. self-expression; reflect personal Elements of Signs: identity. ○ Signifier: Physical form of an ○ The fabric and design object (e.g., diamond ring) influence feelings and ○ Signified: Mental concept it behaviors. represents (e.g., engagement) Family: Close relations, such as parents and siblings, crucial to identity.  Clothing: Luke 16:19-31 - The significance of wealth and attire in Functions of Material Possessions identity. (Dittmar, 1992, 2004) Family: Exodus 20:J 2 - The importance of honoring family. 1.Instrumental Functions: Home: Proverbs 24:3-4 - Wisdom in building and establishing a home for Functional properties (e.g., richness purchasing a pickup truck for family and business). 2.Social Symbolic Functions: Signifies personal qualities or social status (e.g., choosing an iPhone). 3.Categorical Functions: Communicates group membership and status (e.g., renting a condo in a prestigious area). 4.Self-Expressive Functions: Reflects unique qualities or values (e.g., collecting Hello Kitty items). The Role of Mass Media in Consumer Behavior Advertising Media: Influences consumer beliefs and perceptions, essential for commercial success. Entertainment Media: Celebrity endorsements impact consumer choices and product popularity. Online Media: The Internet enhances consumer influence through numerous ad platforms. Biblical References to Material Self Body: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - The body as a temple of the Holy Spirit.