Material Self Presentation and Identity PDF

MATERIAL SELF At the end of this lesson, you should be able to: 1. Explain the association of self and possessions; 2. Appraise one’s self based on the description of material self. Belk (1988) stated that “we regard our possessions as parts of ourselves. We are what we have and what we p...

MATERIAL SELF At the end of this lesson, you should be able to: 1. Explain the association of self and possessions; 2. Appraise one’s self based on the description of material self. Belk (1988) stated that “we regard our possessions as parts of ourselves. We are what we have and what we possess.” There is a direct link between self- identity with what we have and possess. Our wanting to have and possess has a connection with A Harvard psychologist in the late nineteenth century, William James, wrote in his book, The Principles of Psychology in 1890 that understanding the self can be examined through its different components. James described these components as: ✓ Its constituents - self are composed of the material self, the social self, the spiritual self and the pure ego. (Trentmann 2016; Green 1997.) ✓ The feelings and emotions they arouse – self-feelings;  According to William MATERIAL James primarily SELF Material Self is about our bodies, - The immediate clothes, more family, investment of self- and home. given to the particular thing, the more we identify ourselves to it. We also tended to collect and possess properties. The collections in different degree of investment of self, becomes part of the self. A. A. BODY BODY. The inner most part of our material self. We are directly attached to this commodity that we cannot live without. - we strive hard to make sure that this body functions well and good. - We do have certain preferential attachment or intimate closeness to certain body parts because of its value to us.  A. BODY. - Any ailment or disorder directly A. BODY affects us. -   Mariah Carey A. BODY who was reported to have placed a huge amount for the insurance of her vocal cords and legs (sukman, 2016).  B. CLOTHING B. CLOTHES - is a form of self-expression. We choose and wear clothes that are reflection of our self. (Watson 2014). B. CLOTHES - The fabric and style of the clothes we wear brings sensations to the body, to which directly affect our attitudes and behavior. C. FAMILY C. FAMILY  Our parents and siblings hold another great important part of our self. - when their lives are in success, we feel their victories as if we are the one holding the trophy.  - when an immediate family C.FAMILY C. FAMILY member dies, part of our self dies too.  D. Home - is where our D.heart HOME is. It is the earliest nest of our selfhood. D. HOME  - Our experiences inside the home were recorded and marked on particular parts and things in our home.  William James (1890). cording described to William selfJames “ a man’s self is the sum total of all what he  can call his possessions then become a part or aninvestment Having extensionof ofself self. to things, made“ us attached to those things. The more investment of self is given to the particular thing, the more we identify ourselves to it. We had the tendency to collect and possess properties.  ROLAND BARTHES The French critical and literary theorist, essayist, philosopher, critic, and semiotician. Barthes' ideas explored a diverse range of fields and he influenced the development of many schools of theory, including structuralism, semiotics, social theory, design theory, anthropology and post-structuralism. He was one of the first to observe the relationships that people have with objects, and in particular looked at objects as signs or things which could be decoded to convey message beyond their practical value. MATERIAL SELF PRESENTATION AND IDENTITY Semiology – the study of objects as signs. Sign – anything that conveys meaning. Everyday objects are not just things but a complex system of signs which allows one to read meaning into people and places. Semiotics – from the Greek work semeion, the study of signs and texts. Examine how words, photographs, images and objects can work as a language to communicate a range of ideas, associations and feelings.  ELEMENTS OF SIGNS Signifier-refers to physical form. The function of objects in semiotic analysis. ex. diamond ring Signified – a mental concept it refers to. ex. engaged to be married  Theory of the Meaning of material possessions (Dittmar, 1992, 2004) 1. Instrumental functions- relate to the functional properties of a product. ex. A person bought a pick-up style of car for family and business functions. 2. Social symbolic functions – signify personal qualities, social standing, group affiliation and gender role. ex. Buying an iPhone instead of other mobile phones. 3.Categorical functions – the extent to which material possessions may be used to communicate group membership and status. Ex. Buying or renting a condo unit in Makati City  4. Self-expressive functions – reflect a person's unique qualities, values or attitudes. Ex. There are people who may represent themselves by collecting objects with a Hello Kitty brand. Others, their favorite color through the color of their accessories.  THE ROLE OF MASS MEDIA IN SHAPING BEHAVIORS 1. Advertising Media Media is such a part of our daily lives that we don’t even realize it’s influencing us in big and small ways. Media use in advertising is purposely designed to elicit a change in consumer action, belief and perception. While it’s generally known that we’re being swayed for commercial reasons, the consuming public allows these forays because media pays for shows on television or music on the radio as well as the information and news we read in newspapers and magazines.  2. Entertainment Media Media can shape who we are as both public and private people. A celebrity wears a certain clothes ensemble or mentions the designer, manufacturer or store where it was purchased and almost immediately, sales for that item skyrocket. Celebrity endorses bring instant brand awareness and receptivity even if indirect. Advertisers pay to get their products conspicuous placement in TV and movies because they believe these seemingly non- commercial associations will result in positive uplift and eventually, sales.  3. Online Media The internet has added significantly to media’s ability to influence consumers. There are thousands of websites from both commercial and private sources hawking everything for sale under the sun.  Material Self 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – Spiritual verse Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Bod Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So y glorify God in your body. Luke 16:19-31 “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and Clothingfine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Exodus 20:12 ESV / 544 helpful votes Famil “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving y you. Proverbs 24:3-4 ESV / 82 helpful votes By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is Hom established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.