The Physical Self PDF

THE PHYSICAL SELF JOSEPH E. RUBIO  THE BIOLOGICAL BLUEPRINT - A crucial aspect of the self is one’s physical features including the face, bodily structure, height and weight. - However, people should also consider their physical competencies, valuation of physical worth, and perceptio...

THE PHYSICAL SELF JOSEPH E. RUBIO  THE BIOLOGICAL BLUEPRINT - A crucial aspect of the self is one’s physical features including the face, bodily structure, height and weight. - However, people should also consider their physical competencies, valuation of physical worth, and perception of beauty.  THE BIOLOGICAL BLUEPRINT SOME OF THE FREQUENT QUESTIONS ARE: AM I BEAUTIFUL? DO PEOPLE FIND ME ATTRACTIVE? WHAT CAN I DO TO ENHANCE MY FEATURES?  THE BIOLOGICAL BLUEPRINT - Physical self is not only limited to what can be seen by the naked eye. - Underneath the skin is a dynamic system of biological and chemical processes that contribute to one’s physical features. - These are triggered by genetic transformations and biological development through heredity.  THE BIOLOGICAL BLUEPRINT Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself -COCO CHANEL-  THE BIOLOGICAL BLUEPRINT SELF IMAGE PROBLEM - This happens when your looks doesn’t match your beauty standards Example: if you believed that attractive people are slim ones and if you are not slim (but not obese) then you might believe that you are unattractive even though others believe that you are.  THE BIOLOGICAL BLUEPRINT BODY IMAGE, SELF-ESTEEM AND INFLUENCE OF SOCIETY - Society shapes us in many ways, possibly more than we realize- from our interactions, to our personal development through to other’s perception of our bodies as a reflection of self worth.  THE BIOLOGICAL BLUEPRINT 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  THE BIOLOGICAL BLUEPRINT BODY IMAGE IS BOTH INTERNAL (PERSONAL) and EXTERNAL (SOCIETY) - How we look has possibly never held as much societal importance or reflected so significantly on our perceived self worth.  THE BIOLOGICAL BLUEPRINT - The media has increasingly become a platform that reinforces cultural beliefs and projects strong views on how we should look, that we as individuals often unknowingly or knowingly validate and perpetuate.  THE BIOLOGICAL BLUEPRINT - The more we look at perfect images of others and then look to find those same idealized characteristics in ourselves and don’t find them, the worse we feel about ourselves. - It is a CYCLE THAT BREEDS DISCONTENT  THE BIOLOGICAL BLUEPRINT ARE YOU CONTENTED ON HOW YOU LOOK? ON YOUR BODY? - Reflect on this questions and try to look into your inner thoughts and answer this question.  THE BIOLOGICAL BLUEPRINT - The greater our discontent with how we measure up when compared to the societal or media supported norms, the more negative our body image, and the greater the risk fro extreme weight or body control behaviors occur.  THE BIOLOGICAL BLUEPRINT - This leads to: - Extreme dieting - Extreme exercise compulsion - Eating disorders - Extreme or unnecessary plastic surgery - Using steroids for muscle building  THE BIOLOGICAL BLUEPRINT WHO’S TO BLAME FOR OUR BODY PERCEPTIONS, BE IT GOOD OR BAD? - This is another question to reflect on.  THE BIOLOGICAL BLUEPRINT - Society gives us a number of reference points that shape our perceptions whether positive or negative.  TODAY’S EMBEDDED IDEALS - Life today sees image upon image of fashionably clad women, perfect skin, tiny waist, ample breasts, fashionably protruding behinds, six-pack abs, and many others. TODAY’S EMBEDDED IDEALS TODAY’S EMBEDDED IDEALS TODAY’S EMBEDDED IDEALS TODAY’S EMBEDDED IDEALS  TODAY’S EMBEDDED IDEALS - Yet, we are told that these unattainable bodies are normal desirable and achievable. - When we don’t measure up we develop a strong sense of dissatisfaction and the way that manifests can be ugly  PREJUDICE- SIZE - Intolerance of body diversity has a lot to do with prejudice of size and shape in our culture.  THE MEDIA - The images of perfection we see in print, film and telivision project an unrealistic version of reality that we are continually told is attainable- if we work out, eat less and lather our bodies in transformative, firming and tightening creams.  THE MEDIA Unrealistic version of reality  THE MEDIA Unrealistic version of reality THE MEDIA - The media is apowerful tool that reinforces cultural beliefs and values, and while it may not be fully responsible for determining the standards for physical attractiveness, it makes escaping the barrage of images and attitudes almost impossible. THOSE CLOSEST TO US- Family and Friends - We learn from other people, particularly those closest to us about the things that are considered important. THOSE CLOSEST TO US- Family and Friends - Friendships are particularly important in body image development because we place high value on them, spend lots of time with our friends and develop shared experiences, values and beliefs.  HOW CAN WE BUILD A STRONG AND POSITIVE BODY IMAGE? - Positive body image involves understanding that healthy attractive bodies come in many shapes and sizes, and that physical appearance says very little about our character or value as a person. THE PHYSICAL SELF JOSEPH E. RUBIO