Understanding The Self Review Session PDF

UNDERSTANDING THE SELF REVIEW SESSION PREPARED BY: MS. PICHELYN C. LERIO, LPT I. The Self from Various Philosophical Perspectives II. The Self, Society and Culture III. The Self as Cognitive Construct IV. The Physical and Sexual Self  V. Material Self VI. Polit...

UNDERSTANDING THE SELF REVIEW SESSION PREPARED BY: MS. PICHELYN C. LERIO, LPT I. The Self from Various Philosophical Perspectives II. The Self, Society and Culture III. The Self as Cognitive Construct IV. The Physical and Sexual Self  V. Material Self VI. Political Self and Being Filipino  There are many philosophical perspectives that deal with the understanding the self.  It is a comprehensive study of truth.  SOCRATES Every man is composed of body and soul, this means that every human person is DUALISTIC. All individual have an imperfect, impermanent aspect to him, and the body, while maintaining that there is also a soul that is perfect and permanent. Hebelieved that the true mission is to "know oneself."  PLATO He expanded on this dualistic view by introducing the idea that the soul has three parts: the rational, spirited, and appetitive and it is called TRIPARTITE SOUL  The Rational Soul = the ability to reason, intellect, and the ability to contemplate abstract truth and philosophical ideals.  The Spirited Soul = related to courage, assertiveness, and the desire for honor and recognition.  The Appetitive Soul = linked to physical desires such as hunger, thirst, and sensual desires.  AUGUSTINE His understanding about the self was closely tied to his spiritual journey. He saw the human soul as restless until it found its rest in God. It was heavily influenced by his doctrine of original sin.  AQUINAS He expanded upon this Christian view by integrating Aristotelian ideas. He described humans as composed of two fundamental elements: MATTER (hyle) and FORM (morphe). Matter – or hyle refers to the common stuff that makes up everything in the universe. Form – or morphe refers to the essence of a substance or thing.  Rene Descartes He introduced a dualistic view of the human person, emphasizing the distinction between the mind and body.  The only thing that cannot be doubted, according to Descartes, is the existence of the self. He is famous about his phrase “Cogito Ergo Sum” or “I THINK THEREFORE I AM.” In Descartes view, the body is nothing else but a machine that is attached to the mind.  HUME He argued that knowledge is derived solely from sensory experiences and perceptions.  Heargued that the self is nothing more than a "bundle of impressions."  Hedivided human experiences into two categories: impressions and ideas.  RYLE He emphasized that the self is not something hidden or internal, but is instead reflected in a person’s behavior and actions.  Merleau-Ponty He argued that the mind and body are inseparable and deeply interconnected.  He believed that all human experience is inherently embodied—meaning that our body is the medium through which we engage with and understand the world. II. The Self, Culture and Society WHAT IS SELF?  The self, in contemporary literature and even common sense, is commonly defined by the following characteristics:  Separate  Self-contained  Independent  Consistent  Unitary  Private The Self and Culture According to Mauss, every self has TWO faces: PERSONNE and MOI. MOI Refers to a person’s sense of who he is, his body, and his basic identity. PERSONNE Is composed of the social concepts of what it means to be who he is.  III. The Self as Cognitive Construct  Theories generally see the self and identity as mental constructs, created and recreated in memory.  FREUD saw the self, its mental processes, and one’s behavior as the results of the interaction between the ID, the EGO, and the SUPEREGO.  MEAD Self created and developed through human interaction  Self-Identity: Personal characteristics, social roles, and responsibilities  Self-concept: What comes to mind when asked "Who are you?" Self-awareness : the ability to focus on yourself and how your actions, thoughts, or emotions do or don't align with your internal standards. Self-awareness also presents us with at least three other self-schema: The Actual, Ideal, and Ought Self.  ACTUAL SELF : Who you are at the moment.  IDEAL SELF : Who you like to be.  OUGHT SELF : Who you think you should be.  Self-Esteem The overall sense of self-worth or personal value that an individual has. It reflects how much a person appreciates, accepts, and values themselves, regardless of circumstances. The self in Western and Eastern Thoughts  Differentcultures and varying environment tend to create different perceptions of the “self” and one of the most common distinctions between cultures and people is the Eastern-vs-Western.  Confucianism Emphasizes moral development, proper conduct, and the importance of social relationships in maintaining order and harmony in society.  Taoism A philosophical and religious tradition that originated in ancient China, focusing on living in harmony with the Tao (or Dao), which is often translated as "the Way" or "the Path."  Taoism values selflessness, but not in the sense of completely neglecting oneself. Instead, it refers to living a life of balance—being at peace with oneself, others, and nature.  Buddhism The self is considered an illusion, created by human ignorance and the desire to hold on to things.  Thisillusion of self leads to suffering because it drives cravings, attachments, and a desire for control, which are all impermanent and ultimately unfulfilling.  Theself is seen as the source of suffering, as it constantly seeks satisfaction through attachment to worldly things, desires, and ego- driven goals.  Western perspective does not discount the role of environment and society in the formation of the self but the focus is always looking toward the self.  Easternperspective sees the other person as part of yourself as well as the things you may create in which everyone is interconnected with their specific roles.  TheWestern culture is what we call an individualistic culture since their focus is on the person.  Easternculture, on the other hand, is called a collectivistic culture as the group and social relations that is given more importance than individual needs and wants.  IV. The Physical and Sexual Self It has been believed that the sex chromosomes of humans define the sex and their secondary sexual characteristics. Asidefrom our genes, our society helps shape our selves. Your physical self includes visible features like face, body structure, height, and weight. Asidefrom our genes, our society helps shape our selves. AM I BEAUTIFUL? DO PEOPLE FIND ME ATTRACTIVE?  Beneath the skin lies a complex system of biological and chemical processes  Your physical features are not random They result from:  Genetic information  Biological development  Heredity HEREDITY Is defined as the transmission of traits from parents to offspring. The traits are made up of specific information embedded within one’s gene, the basic unit of heredity. Maturation Completion of growth of genetic characteristics Enables development of abilities like walking, running, and talking  PUBERTY Is the period of life, generally between the ages of 10 and 15 years old, when the reproductive organs grow to their adult size and become functional under the influence of rising levels of gonadal hormones (TESTOSTERONE in male and ESTROGEN in Female.  Body image is both internal (personal) and external (society. This includes: How we perceive our bodies visually How we feel about our physical appearance How we think and talk to ourselves about our bodies How can we build a strong and positive body image?  De-emphasize numbers  Realize that we cannot change our body type  Stop comparing ourselves to others  Weneed to move and enjoy our bodies not because we have to, but because it makes us feel good  Spend time with people who have a healthy relationship with food, activity, and their bodies  SEXUAL SELF  It has been believed that the sex chromosomes of humans define the sex (female and male) and their secondary sexual characteristics. From childhood, we are controlled by our generic makeup. It influences the way we treat ourselves and others. Sexual Identity What it means to be masculine or feminine. Questioning and exploring sexuality.  Gender Stereotypes The cultural expectations concerning which behaviors are appropriate for each sex. Stereotypes play a role in self-definition as adolescent question their sexuality and develop a sense of self.  Creating a Sexual Self Sexual self-esteem Refers to an individual's sense of self- worth and self-acceptance in relation to their own sexuality.  Sexual self-efficacy Refers to an individual's belief in their own ability to effectively manage and navigate various aspects of their sexual life. It involves confidence in one's capacity to communicate, make informed decisions, and engage in sexual activities in a way that aligns with their values, desires, and preferences while ensuring their own and their partner's well-being.  Sexual self-image It encompasses how a person views their own body, desires, and overall identity in relation to their sexuality. This self-image can be influenced by a variety of factors, including cultural and societal norms, personal experiences, and self-esteem. Sexual Scripts Refer to culturally and socially influenced guidelines or narratives that people follow when it comes to sexual behaviors, roles, and expectations. These scripts are essentially a set of unwritten, often implicit, rules and expectations that dictate how individuals should behave and what is considered appropriate or acceptable in sexual contexts.  Making Sexual Decisions Involves the process of determining and choosing how to engage in sexual activities based on one's desires, values, and personal circumstances. It's a highly personal and often complex aspect of life, and the decision-making process can vary from person to person.  Sexual Diversity Refers to the wide range of sexual orientations, identities, behaviors, and expressions that exist among individuals and communities. It recognizes that human sexuality is not limited to a single, fixed norm but rather exists along a spectrum.  Several terms of sexual diversity are:  HOMOSEXUALITY Is a sexual orientation in which individuals are primarily or exclusively attracted to members of the same sex. It is one of the various sexual orientations that make up the spectrum of human sexuality.  HETEROSEXUALITY Is a sexual orientation in which individuals are primarily or exclusively attracted to members of the opposite sex or gender. It is one of the most common sexual orientations and is often considered the societal norm in many cultures. BISEXUALITY Is a sexual orientation in which individuals are attracted to, or have the capacity to be attracted to, people of both their own gender and other genders. This means that bisexual individuals may experience romantic, emotional, or sexual attraction to people of both the same gender and different genders. ASEXUALITY Is a sexual orientation characterized by a lack of sexual attraction or a very low level of it towards others. Asexual individuals do not typically experience sexual desire or the urge to engage in sexual activities with others, regardless of their gender or gender identity.  SEXUAL BEHAVIOR Is a highly personal and diverse aspect of human life. What is most important is that individuals engage in sexual activities that are safe, consensual, and respectful of the rights and boundaries of all involved parties. Open communication, education, and a supportive, inclusive society are essential for promoting responsible and fulfilling sexual behavior.  TYPES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR  SOLITARY BEHAVIOR Refers to activities, actions, or behaviors that individuals engage in when they are alone, without the direct involvement or presence of others. This behavior can encompass a wide range of activities and actions that people undertake independently for various reasons.  SOCIOSEXUAL BEHAVIOR Refers to the ways in which individuals interact with others in a social context with respect to sexual relationships, attitudes, and behaviors. It encompasses a range of social, cultural, and interpersonal factors that influence how people navigate and express their sexuality within society.  Physiology of Human Sexual Response Excitement Phase: This phase marks the beginning of sexual arousal and is characterized by physiological changes in the body. Plateau Phase: In this phase, arousal continues to build, and physiological changes progress.  Sexual climax: it is marked by a feeling of abrupt, intense pleasure, a rapid increase in pulse rate and blood pressure, spasm of the pelvic muscles causing contractions of the female reproduction organ and ejaculation by the male. Resolution phase: Is it the last stage that refers to the return to a normal or subnormal physiologic state. Male and females are similar in their response sequence. MATERIAL SELF  Isa psychological and philosophical idea that relates to the connection between a person's identity and the physical objects or possessions they own or use. The material self suggests that the things we own and surround ourselves with can influence or even become a part of our sense of self or identity.  BODY In the context of the material self pertains to the idea that one's physical body, appearance, and the way they present themselves can also be considered as part of their material self. In other words, the body is one of the many "possessions" or aspects that individuals use to express their identity and interact with the world.  Clothes Clothing plays a significant role in the concept of the "material self." It represents one of the most visible and tangible ways in which individuals express their identity and engage with the world. Clothing can be a powerful form of self-expression, reflecting one's personality, values, cultural affiliations, and lifestyle.  IMMEDIATE FAMILY Immediate family refers to the close family members who often have a significant impact on a person's identity and material possessions. Immediate family typically includes parents, siblings, and, in some cases, spouses and children.  HOME A central element of the material self. Home represents more than just a physical structure; it encompasses the environment in which individuals live and the material possessions that make up their living space. The Political Self and Being a Filipino  Values and traits are also important indicators that set apart one nationality from the other. These values and traits may not always be positive thing, but being able to identify one’s self apart from other nationalities and point out weakness and mistakes, paired with unity and commitment, make progress a possibility. According to the 1987 Philippine Constitution, Filipino citizens are “those whose fathers or mothers are citizens of the Philippines, those born before January 17, 1973, of Filipino mothers, who elect Philippines citizenship upon reaching the age of majority, and those who are naturalized in accordance with law. However, citizenship is not the only marker of being Filipino. Culture and history have greatly influenced the manner Filipinos learn, live, and behave to date. People who were born and grew in the same culture develop and share common personality traits and values. Generations after generations, common traits and values have been passed on that Filipinos of today still embody. Filipino Values and Traits Filipino values and traits refer to the cultural norms, beliefs, and characteristics that are commonly associated with the people of the Philippines. These values and traits are deeply ingrained in the Filipino culture and play a significant role in shaping the behavior, interactions, and social dynamics of Filipinos.  Filipino hospitality often referred to as "Hospitable" in Filipino culture, is a prominent and well-known trait of the Filipino people. It encompasses the warm and welcoming nature of Filipinos when it comes to receiving guests, visitors, and even strangers.  Respect for elders Often referred to as "Respeto sa mga Matatanda" in Filipino culture, is a fundamental value deeply ingrained in Filipino society. Filipinos commonly use polite titles and honorifics when addressing older individuals, such as "po" and "opo" to convey respect. These terms are added to sentences to show deference and politeness.  Close family ties Often referred to as "malasakit sa pamilya" in Filipino culture, are a central and enduring aspect of Filipino society. This concept highlights the strong bonds and emotional connections that exist within Filipino families. Filipinos tend to gather together with their extended families regularly, often on special occasions, weekends, and holidays. These gatherings strengthen family relationships and create lasting memories.  Cheerful Personality A cheerful personality is characterized by a generally positive and upbeat disposition. Individuals with a cheerful personality tend to be optimistic, friendly, and happy, and they often have a bright and positive outlook on life. Self-sacrifice Refers to the act of putting the needs, well-being, or interests of others before one's own, often at great personal cost or sacrifice.  Bayanihan Is a Filipino cultural tradition and value that emphasizes community unity, cooperation, and mutual assistance. The term is derived from the Filipino word "bayani," which means hero or patriot. Bayanihan represents the spirit of working together as a community, especially during times of need.  The "Bahala Na" attitude Is a Filipino cultural expression that reflects a unique approach to facing uncertainty, challenges, and fate. It is a phrase often used to convey a sense of resignation, acceptance, or a willingness to leave things in the hands of destiny or a higher power. The phrase "Bahala Na" roughly translates to "Come what may" or "Whatever will be, will be" in English.  "Colonial mentality“ Is a complex concept that can manifest in various ways, often resulting in individuals or communities adopting the values, behaviors, and preferences of their former colonial rulers or other foreign influences. The "mañana" habit Which translates to "tomorrow" in Spanish, it refers to a tendency to delay or procrastinate tasks or responsibilities, often with the belief that there is always time to complete them in the future.  "Ningas Kugon" Is a Filipino idiom that describes a person who is enthusiastic and energetic at the beginning of a task but quickly loses interest, focus, or determination, leading to the abandonment of the task or the failure to follow through with it. In essence, it means that someone has a short-lived burst of enthusiasm that fizzles out.  "Crab mentality" Is a term often used to describe a cultural phenomenon in which individuals or groups within a community or society exhibit behaviors that undermine or sabotage the success, progress, or advancement of others, especially those who are perceived as achieving more or excelling.  "Filipino Time" Is a colloquial term used to describe a cultural practice in the Philippines where people tend to arrive later than the appointed or expected time for social or business events. SMALL PROGRESS IS STILL A PROGRESS! 