UTS Understanding The Self - Chapter 2 Lesson 1

**UNDERSTANDING THE SELF** **CHAPTER II LESSON 1: The Physical Self** **Introduction** *The more we learn, the more we realize how little we know.* The PHYSICAL BODY is the window to one's personality. Our physical features can give a hint of how we feel, what are our thoughts, and even the beha...

**UNDERSTANDING THE SELF** **CHAPTER II LESSON 1: The Physical Self** **Introduction** *The more we learn, the more we realize how little we know.* The PHYSICAL BODY is the window to one's personality. Our physical features can give a hint of how we feel, what are our thoughts, and even the behavior we exhibit. In our world today, our resources have been devoted to beauty products and treatments. These things are used to improve the way we look. The reason is we want others to have a good impression of who we are. There is always pressure in our society to look good, and to seek a visually better version of ourselves. Often times, we are so caught up with the ways we can make sure that we look beautiful and nice, that sometimes, we frown at our natural looks, our dark complexion perhaps, or even our short stature. SOCIAL PRESSURE of looking perfect, thus, gave rise to the many beauty products and enhancement procedures, which a large portion of society patronize no matter how expensive they might be. The global society where fairer skin and size zero for women are deemed attractive, not to mention a bulk and ripped body figure among men. BEAUTY IS POWER seemed to be the mantra, even to the point of how detrimental it might be for us. Our physical selves have become so dependent on the JUDGMENT OF OUR APPEARANCE, and not with the celebration of it. **The Shavelson Scheme of Self Image** ACADEMIC SELF- influenced by the process and the individual's emotions, behavior, and experiences during the learning process. NON-ACADEMIC SELF- shaped by an individual's social, emotional, and physical self. SOCIAL SELF- greatly influenced by parents, colleagues, friends, and acquaintances. EMOTIONAL SELF- the person's experiences of joy, anger, fear, anxiety, etc. **The Scheme of Physical Self Perception's Structure according to K. R. Fox** The physical self: a. an amazing vessel, complex, woven, and knitted, finely tuned creature with which we interact with our environment and fellow beings. b. the concrete dimension, the tangible aspect of the person that can be directly observed and examined. c. composed of systems that receive and respond to various external and internal stimuli. **Freud's** concept of self and personality makes the physical body CORE OF HUMAN EXPERIENCE. He stated that the ego is first and foremost a BODY EGO. **Wilhelm Reich** emphasized the unity of the mind and the body. The body is central to all dynamic psychological functioning. It plays a significant role in storing and channeling the bioenergy that is considered as the basis of human existence and experience. **Erik Erikson** considered experience as firmly associated on the ground-plan/basic plan of the body. Our organs are essential during the developmental stages of the person. The formation and development of physical and intellectual skills greatly influence the ability of the individual to choose his role in the society and be fulfilled. The competence of children depends on physical health. Erikson also asserted the incessant or continuous interplay of the body, physiological processes, and social forces. **Abraham Maslow** and his hierarchy of needs provided an important assertion on the physical body. He asserted that once physiological needs are met, the person becomes dedicated to attaining the higher-order needs. Thus, he argued that it is important that we prioritize taking care of our body, giving due attention to its needs. A well-nourished, loved, respected individual experiences fulfillment. The contrary happens when we deliberately reject the body's basic needs that will eventually result to inactive, crippled organism.  On one hand, **psychologists** view the important role of the physical body for the totality of our being. Without it, we could not enjoy the pleasures of the world. On the other hand, **religious groups** have different views as regards the physical body. In Hinduism, outright rejection of the body is emphasized because it is the source of desires and attachments. Others stress the due respect and importance to the physical body because it is the main instrument for spiritual growth. The Catholic Church, for example, views the body as the reflection of God. "The human body shares in the dignity of 'the image of God': it is a human body precisely because it is animated by a spiritual soul, and it is the whole human person that is intended to become, in the body of Christ, a temple of the Spirit: Man, though made of body and soul, is a unity" (CCC 364). **WHY DO I LOOK LIKE MYSELF?** Science explains that our parents are instrumental in understanding why we look how we look. **Gregor Mendel** figured out how GENES are passed from parents to offspring in plants, including us humans. His experiment on peas showed that GENES ARE PASSED INTACT FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION and that TRAITS ARE NOT BLENDED. His discovery was that it is through the genes that traits were passed from parents to offspring through several generations. Thus, genetics definitely has a hand on our physical appearance. Our biology dictates that our LOOKS ARE RESULT OF GENES TRANSFERRED TO US BY OUR PARENTS. **CULTURAL STANDARDS OF BEAUTY** Defining beauty can be a daunting and perhaps a thought-provoking task. +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | **Ancient Egypt** | Slender, Narrow Shoulders, High | | | Waist, Symmetrical Face | | **(c. 1292 -- 1069 B.C.)** | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | **Ancient Greece** | Men's bodies were worshipped to | | | the extent that women's bodies | | **(c. 500 -- 300 B.C.)** | were disfigured versions of the | | | former. Men during this time were | | | a much higher standard of beauty | | | and perfection than women. | | | | | | Women were Plump, Full-bodied, | | | Light Skin | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | **Han Dynasty** | Slim Waist, Pale Skin, Large | | | Eyes, Small Feet | | **(c. 206 B.C. -- 220 A.D.)** | | | | Small feet is one aspect of | | | Chinese beauty that has continued | | | for hundreds of years. During the | | | Han Dynasty, Chinese culture | | | favored slim women with long | | | black hair, white teeth and red | | | lips. Historically, the Chinese | | | people have favored women with | | | ultra-femininity. | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | **Italian Renaissance** | Ample Bosom, Rounded Stomach, | | | Full Hips, Fair Skin | | **(c. 1400 -- 1700)** | | | | During the Italian Renaissance, | | | it was the wife's duty to reflect | | | her husband's status, both in | | | behavior and outward appearance. | | | A full body, light hair and light | | | skin all were thought of as the | | | superior indications of beauty. | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | **Victorian England** | Desirably Plump, Full-figured, | | | Cinched-waist | | **(c. 1837 -- 1901)** | | | | The era of the corset. In this | | | time period, women cinched their | | | waists with tight-fitting | | | undergarments to give the | | | perception of the desirable | | | hourglass figure. This time | | | period lasted through the reign | | | of Queen Victoria, considered by | | | many as one of the most | | | influential figures of the time. | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | **Roaring Twenties** | Flat Chest, Downplayed Waist, | | | Short Bob Hairstyle, Boyish | | **(c. 1920s)** | Figure | | | | | | Beauty in the 1920s featured an | | | androgynous look for women. They | | | wore bras that flattened their | | | chest and wore clothing that gave | | | them a curve-less look. Women | | | even shortened their hair, | | | leaving behind the long-held | | | belief that long hair signified | | | beauty and desirability. | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | **Golden Age of Hollywood** | Curves, Hourglass Figure, Large | | | Breasts, Slim Waist | | **(c. 1930s -- 1950s)** | | | | The boyish figure trend didn't | | | last for long. Fast-forward a | | | decade and the hourglass figure | | | is back. The classic example of | | | this ideal woman's body is | | | Marilyn Monroe, the Golden Girl | | | of Hollywood. | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | **Swinging Sixties** | Willowy, Thin, Long, slim Legs, | | | Adolescent Physique | | **(c. 1960s)** | | | | Peace, love and thin seemed to be | | | the motto of ideal beauty for | | | women in the 1960s. "Swinging | | | London," a term used to describe | | | the flourishing fashion and | | | cultural scene of London in the | | | 1960s, influenced women's dress | | | and style in America during the | | | same period. | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | **Supermodel Era** | Athletic, Svelte, but Curvy, | | | Tall, Toned Arms | | **(c. 1980s)** | | | | This time period brought about an | | | exercise-crazed phenomenon. | | | Workout videos were all the rage, | | | encouraging women to be thin, but | | | also fit. This era also saw an | | | upswing in anorexia, thought by | | | some experts to be caused by a | | | widespread obsession with | | | exercise. | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | **Heroin Chic** | Waifish, Extremely Thin, | | | Translucent Skin, Androgynous | | **(c. 1990s)** | | | | Homeless chic, anyone? The | | | celebrated body of this time | | | period was a woman who looked | | | thin, frail and neglected. Model | | | Kate Moss was the heroine of this | | | heroin decade--pale, withdrawn | | | and thin. | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | **Postmodern Beauty** | Flat Stomach, 'Healthy' Skinny, | | | Large Breasts + Butt, Thigh Gap | | **(c. 2000s -- Today)** | | | | Kim Kardashian, as unfortunate as | | | it may be, is the poster woman of | | | ideal beauty standards for the | | | modern woman. Women are expected | | | to be skinny, but not too skinny, | | | with large breasts and a big | | | butt, all while maintaining a | | | flat stomach. Women increasingly | | | are seeking plastic surgery | | | 'fixes' to achieve this look. | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | http://www.scienceofpeople.com/be | | | auty-standards/ | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ **BEAUTY IN THE FILIPINO EYES** In the Philippines, the construction of local standards of beauty can be traced (ARE ACTUALLY DEEPLY ROOTED!) in our COLONIAL INFLUENCES. The color of the skin signifies the value of the people in society. Lighter skinned individuals are considered higher in terms of social status, and therefore, in the social rank compared to those with brown or dark skin. Thus, our concept of physical selves as Filipinos is largely associated with our SKIN COLOR. Historically, we are colonized by FAIRER SKINNED RACES- Spaniards, Americans, and the Japanese. Colonization forced us to believe that they were the superior race/people, more civilized, and even how they look were deemed the standard of beauty, i.e. EURO-CENTRIC; that even our concept of attractiveness at present is affected. Regardless of how we proclaim that we are free nation and people, still, the effect of colonial thinking especially with regard to beauty seem to enslave us even until now. THE FIILIPINO OBSESSION TO BEAUTY Obsession to beauty among Filipinas also manifest in Filipino men. Take the case of Xander Ford or Marlou Arizala. His decision to be under the knife was not without pressure of society to look good. He was not spared from bullying -- prior and even after his surgery. For many, he is simply unattractive. In one way or another, we have been implicitly or explicitly criticized, or even ridiculed for how we look. Our standards have become so unbearable that our society mocks us for looking imperfect. Thus, this unfortunate situation led to losing once confidence, a low self-esteem, and a feeling of disgust even to one's own self. BODY SHAMING is a perennial case. One is criticized for his or her body type and appearance. This occasion paved the way for many losing the last strand of their confidence either thin-shamed or fat-shamed. BODY IMAGE DISTURBANCE (BID) is an important aspect of several pathologies in psychology eating disorders like anorexia (a mental illness where people are of low weight due to limiting their energy intake; affecting anyone of any age, gender, and background; as well as restricting the amount of food intake; some may experience a cycle of bingeing or eating large amounts of food at once then purging it). The perceptual component that refers to how we accurately perceive our body size, also known as BODY SIZE ESTIMATION, and the attitudinal component that refers to how we think and feel about the size and/or shape of our body, which if not correctly processed, will result to BODY DISSATISFACTION. Body dissatisfaction is often connected with mental disorders including depression and anxiety among adolescents. **THE FILTERED SELF** The advent of social media paved the way to also put pressure on us to look even better. On Instagram, for example, we use filter applications to look better. Our latest phone models, even, have filter applications that would make our appearance much better than the original photo. This phenomenon allows us to hide imperfections, creating, and recreating a self that is better approved by our 'online friends'. **\ ** **TAKING CARE OF OUR PHYSICAL BODY** Earlier on, we discussed that the physical body is considered ad the real home, temple, or vehicle. It is the only one that we have throughout our lifetime. It is our INSTRUMENT that allow us to do our daily tasks. It is through the body that we INTERACT with other people, other living beings, and the rest of creation. Thus, it is VITAL that we take care of our bodies -- and this means an INTEGRAL TAKING CARE OF THE BODY. **SELF-CARE** is the intentional, planned, and actual act of taking the time to attend to our basic physical, mental, and emotional needs; not to mention the spiritual aspect of care! It is a quality of rest that we offer to our bodies. We do this in order for us to rejuvenate and have our bodies revitalized. Simply, it is an act of kindness and love for ourselves. PHYSICAL SELF-CARE is the simplest and it involves good nutrition, sufficient amount of rest, and necessary exercise. Be reminded and cautious however. Some make physical self-care as an excuse to defend vanity and narcissism! MENTAL SELF-CARE asserts that we also take care even the most complex and confusing aspect of self. This self-care has a two-fold aspect. The first one is taking time to consistently break down what you are thinking and why you are thinking that, primarily because the moment you manage to NOTICE YOUR THOUGHTS, they will have no power over you. Being conscious of our own thinking means that we guard ourselves from overthinking and anxious care of the things beyond our control. The other aspect is to cultivate mental habits and thoughts that benefit us. In sort, keep thoughts that help us improve. EMOTIONAL SELF-CARE suggests that we begin by naming our emotions and feelings. We must therefore acknowledge them in order for us to care for our emotional state. It is a challenging, yet, significant step. SPIRITUAL SELF-CARE means self-compassion. St. Paul teaches that the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19). It is essential that we must also have spiritual self-care by showing our body self-compassion. Do not be harsh on it. Choose to live a virtuous life by letting go worldly allurements. Sanctification of the body leads us toward a holistic and God-centered life. **CELEBRATING BEAUTY IN DIVERSITY** Cultural concepts of beauty should be celebrated. The harmful effects of a distorted notion of beauty must be stopped. Everyone is encouraged to speak up against body shaming particularly that we are living in an image-driven virtual society. Embracing our physical selves entails affirming each other regardless of our skin color, stature, and body mass index. There is a need to defend those who do not fall under the idyllic image of thin and beautiful (fat shaming, body shaming, etc.). We should never allow ourselves to be victims of this since we are supposed to celebrate the authentic us, we do not need to hide our physical flaws and to resist the demands of a depreciating image driven society. At the end of the day, we are reminded by the Psalm: "I praise You, because I am wonderfully made; wonderful are your works! My very self You know" (Ps 139:14 NABRE). Conclusion: The physical self is an important component of the integral self. To be healthy and well physically must always be rooted on the desire to take care of the body, away from vanity and narcissism. Regardless how one looks, we must be reminded that we mirror the beauty of the Eternal Beauty of the Creator, God. N.B. This is just a supplement. Always rely on your own notes. Go also to primary sources. -JSSm