Chapter 2: Unpacking The Self - Physical Self PDF

 CHAPTER 2 UNPACKING THE SELF UNIT 1 THE PHYSICAL SELF: THE SELF AS IMPACTED BY THE BODY COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES Department of Social Sciences  Objectives To define physical self. To discuss the relationship between physical se...

 CHAPTER 2 UNPACKING THE SELF UNIT 1 THE PHYSICAL SELF: THE SELF AS IMPACTED BY THE BODY COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES Department of Social Sciences  Objectives To define physical self. To discuss the relationship between physical self and self-esteem. To demonstrate appreciation and respect to one’s cultural standard of physical bodies. To internalize the importance of beauty and how to preserve a beautiful self. COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES Department of Social Sciences  A Multi-Perspective Approach in Looking at the Self as Impacted by the Body William James | Sigmund Freud |Erik Erikson | B.F. Skinner | Hinduism | Judaism William James: The Body as the Basis of Personality and Well-Being William James saw the body as essential for creating and maintaining our sense of self. He believed that sensations from our body help shape our personality and that our physical health, body type, and how we care for our spiritual well-being all contribute to who we are. Sigmund Freud: The “Body Ego” and How We Experience Reality Freud introduced the concept of the “body ego,” emphasizing that our body is at the center of our experiences. He argued that our physical body interacts with our mind to form the ego (our conscious self), balancing reality with the body’s desire for pleasure through the id. Erik Erikson: Body Development and Life Stages Erikson believed that as our bodies grow and change, they shape each stage of our identity. He saw these physical developments as central to personal growth, from infancy through adulthood, helping us form trust, independence, and purpose. B.F. Skinner: The Body as Reality, Rejecting “Self” and “Personality” Skinner had a more straightforward view, seeing the body as the only reality. He thought concepts like "self" and "personality" were just words to explain behavior, not actual things. Hinduism: The Body as Both Obstacle and Path to Spiritual Growth Hinduism offers a dual perspective on the body. It views the body as a source of desires and attachments but also as a valuable tool for spiritual growth and self-realization. This perspective encourages detachment from worldly cravings while still appreciating the body’s role in spiritual progress. Buddhism: Balance and the Middle Path in Relation to the Body Buddhism emphasizes a balanced approach, known as the Middle Path, when it comes to the body. This principle teaches that we should neither indulge every physical desire nor harshly reject the body. Instead, balance is key to a healthy relationship with oneself. Components of the Physical Self SELF-CONCEPT Refers to how someone thinks about, evaluates or perceives themselves (Myers, 2009). Two Aspects of Self-Concept: Existential Self – This is the sense of being a unique person, separate from others, with a consistent identity. It’s the feeling of “I am me,” distinct and constant over time. Categorical Self – This is the awareness that we are not only unique individuals but also fit into broader groups and categories. You might identify as a student, a friend, or a sibling. These categories help define where we belong and how we relate to others. SELF-IMAGE The answer to the questions who am I and what do I want others to see. Attributes like physical characteristics, personality traits, and social roles all play a role in your self-image. SELF-ESTEEM/SELF-WORTH The extent to which we value ourselves. When our self-esteem is high, we tend to feel more confident and capable. When it’s low, we might struggle with self-doubt. IDEAL SELF/POSSIBLE SELF The self you would like to have or strive to be.  The impact of culture and society on body image and self-esteem The Influence of SNS on Self- Image and Social Pressure SNS on Self-Image and Social Pressure SNS encourages constant comparison with curated lives and beauty standards. People feel pressured to conform to “ideal” body and face templates. This pursuit often leads to dissatisfaction and inauthentic self-presentation. Body Types Basic Physical Education and Biology tell us that there are three major types: endomorph, ectomorph and mesomorph. Positive self-image and self-regard start with understanding that the body has diverse types and that beauty is subjective. It is also important to understand that hygiene, proper diet and healthy lifestyle are components of the physical self. Body Types Three Major Body Types Endomorph: Rounded, soft bodies; larger midsection and hips; slower metabolism. Body Types Three Major Body Types Mesomorph: Square, muscular bodies; athletic build; balanced metabolism. Body Types Three Major Body Types Ectomorph: Thin, fine- boned bodies; narrow shoulders/hips; fast metabolism. Building a Positive Self-Image Embracing Your Body and Practicing Healthy Habits Beauty is subjective; every body type has its unique beauty. Positive self-image includes hygiene, proper diet, and a healthy lifestyle. Understanding your body type can help you make choices that support your health. Mass Media Mass media (fashion, films, music) shapes perceptions of beauty. Standards of beauty change over time, influenced by trends and media. Examples: Renaissance: Curves and fuller figures were celebrated. Victorian Era: Petite women and slim men were admired. Present Day: More inclusive approach to beauty that celebrates diverse body shapes, skin tones, and natural features. Gender and Sexuality Gender, sexual preference, and gender identity are central to how we view the physical self. Gender and sexuality are not binary but exist on a spectrum. The way people express their identity is influenced by both biology and society. The Somatic Society This concept was put forward by the sociologist Bryan Turner in the late 1990s to refer to the newfound importance of the body in contemporary society. He said that this term is the underlying principle in the obsession of people today to have beautiful bodies and faces which in more extreme terms may lead to: Eating Disorders (Anorexia & Bulimia) Demand for Cosmetics and Cosmetic Surgery Body Shaming and Body Dysmorphia The Somatic Society Eating Disorders (Anorexia & Bulimia): Anorexia involves restricting food intake due to a fear of gaining weight, while bulimia involves binge eating followed by purging. These disorders are mental health conditions with significant impacts on physical and mental well- being. Demand for Cosmetics and Cosmetic Surgery: Many people seek beauty products and procedures to modify their appearance. This demand reflects societal pressures to achieve a particular look, often at the expense of self-acceptance. Body Shaming and Body Dysmorphia: Body shaming—making negative comments about someone’s appearance—can lead to mental health issues like depression and low self-esteem. Body dysmorphia is a disorder where a person obsessively focuses on perceived flaws, often leading to distress and unhealthy behaviors. The Somatic Society Eating Disorders (Anorexia & Bulimia): Anorexia involves restricting food intake due to a fear of gaining weight, while bulimia involves binge eating followed by purging. These disorders are mental health conditions with significant impacts on physical and mental well- being. Demand for Cosmetics and Cosmetic Surgery: Many people seek beauty products and procedures to modify their appearance. This demand reflects societal pressures to achieve a particular look, often at the expense of self-acceptance. Body Shaming and Body Dysmorphia: Body shaming—making negative comments about someone’s appearance—can lead to mental health issues like depression and low self-esteem. Body dysmorphia is a disorder where a person obsessively focuses on perceived flaws, often leading to distress and unhealthy behaviors.  Physical self and the varying standards of beauty around the world The West In the West, popular consensus will tell you that the majority still values the aesthetic of a tall, slender- but-busty woman with delicate features. Adding to this would be their fetish for small waists. French There was a time when the ‘I woke up like this’ beauty trend was a thing on social networking sites. Natural, foundation, toner and concealer based beauty with frizzy hair and all is a thing for French people. To them, the just woke up face is the most beautiful face. Koreans For the women of Korea, maintaining that perfect pale complexion is no small feat, the origins of which trace back in history to a time where tanned skin implied a lower social status. The Maori of New Zealand: For the Maori people of New Zealand, nothing says beauty like a tattoo on your face. Traditionally done with a chisel, tattoo machines now add permanent adornments to the faces of these women: swirly-shaped markings called Ta-moko. To find yourself at the top of the heap, you’ve got to go big: the most beautiful women are thought to be those with their chins and lips fully tattooed. South America: In Brazil, beauty has a lot to do with what’s going on south of the border. Large breasts and a waif-like figure are less of a concern than a toned and curvy bottom half. Thicker, more muscular legs and hips are the focus here, with particular attention to the butt. Beyond the physical, Brazilian women are notorious for their free-spiritedness and seemingly effortless sensuality. Despite the work that goes into those enviable beach-bodies, there’s something inherently sexy and confident about these South American stunners. Thailand: The pursuit of perfection in Thailand is no laughing matter and many women have paid the ultimate price in their quest for beauty. The ideal Thai woman is in almost comical contrast to the natural traits so many local women are born with. Value here is placed on pale skin, a narrow frame and pronounced eyes and nose. One valuable beauty regimen to take away from Thailand is their emphasis on protecting their skin from the sun. Myanmar: Some rituals of beauty have more to do with tradition than anything else. As in the case among the Kayan tribe of Burma (now Myanmar), where, from early childhood, women stack brass coils around their neck for the illusion of length. Over time, as more coils are added, the shoulders are pushed down and the neck is in fact lengthened, something that is seen as a tool to attract men of the tribe and a controversial draw for tourism in recent years. Mauritania: Contrary to Western pressures, many African countries such as Mauritania and Nigeria view overweight women as the most sought-after, while the slimmer few are considered undesirable and encouraged to gain weight. Traditional China: Despite being banned in the 1940’s, foot binding was a huge part of Chinese culture. The process of foot binding included breaking all of the toes and bending them backwards against the sole of the foot, and then binding them in place with a tight fabric wrapping. The result was small and petite feet which are considered highly attractive in China. Ethiopia: Lip plates are common accessories for women of the Mursi tribe in Ethiopia. Usually, the woman’s top or bottom two front teeth are removed to accommodate the lip plate, which is out during the teenage years and gradually gets larger. The larger the lip plate, the more attractive the woman is considered. Yeaba of Japan: In recent years, Japanese women have been hit with a craze for crooked teeth, called Yaeba, which translates to “Double Tooth.” Women will go to orthodontists to have extensive work done to make one’s teeth look more crooked and uneven. This is supposed to make women appear more approachable, and thus more attractive. Africa: Scarification is popular in parts of Africa, predominantly Ethiopia and South Sudan, and can also be found in Papua New Guinea. In these cultures, scarification is done with a knife to leave permanent designs on the skin, and is done to both boys and girls as a right of passage into adulthood. Philippines: The standard of beauty for both males and females in the Philippines is too Americanized with at least five feet seven inches in height, toned muscles for guys and prominent jawlines and six-pack abs while Filipinas are fetishizing on flat bellies, clear and white complexion, etc. Get in Touch WithusUs Send a message or visit us City of Batac, Ilocos Norte, Philippines (63) 77-600-0459 [email protected] Follow us for updates facebook.com/MMSUofficial www.mmsu.edu.ph