UNPACKING THE SELF

INTRODUCTION
 More specifically, unpacking self the self is a gradual unfolding, a growth process, in
which the aspects that surrounds the self and identity develops in an integrated and
healthy ways.
 The self continues to unfold throughout life but it develops and unfolds essentially
during the adolescence stage where young people struggle for identify crisis.
 To understand the self, thus requires one to understand the different aspects that
make up the self and identity.
 PHYSICAL

SEXUAL
DIGITAL

SELF
POLITICAL MATERIAL

SPIRITUAL
THE PHYSICAL SELF
PHYSICAL SELF
 The Physical Self refers to the body. The basic parts of
the body are the head, neck, chest, arms and legs. It is
also made up of other organs such as the brain, heart,
lungs, stomach, intestines, bones and muscles.
 These organs work together to perform many of its
functions such as breathing, walking, and dancing.
 Life span is the development from conception to death.
ELIZABETH B. HURLOCK- STAGES IN THE LIFE
SPAN:
1. Prenatal – fertilization to birth
2. Infancy – birth to 2 weeks of life
3. Babyhood – 2 weeks of life to 2nd year
4. Early Childhood – 2 to 6
5. Late Childhood – 6 to 10 or 12
6. Puberty – 10 or 12 to 14
7. Adolescence – 14 to 18
8. Early Adulthood – 18 to 40
9. Middle Adulthood – 40 to 60
10. Late Adulthood or senescence – 60 to death
2 FACTORS AFFECTING PHYSICAL GROWTH AND
DEVELOPMENT
 Physical growth and development is the product of heredity and
environment. Heredity is the biological process of transmission of
traits from parents to offspring.
 Environment refers to the factors to which the individuals is
exposed after conception to death which includes learning and
experiences.
 Environmental factors such as diet, nutrition, and diseases play an
important role in physical development.
2 FACTORS AFFECTING PHYSICAL GROWTH AND
DEVELOPMENT
 The sex and other physical traits are determined by the
combination of chromosomes and genes during fertilization.
 Fertilization is the union of egg and sperm cell. Chromosomes are
thread like tissues that carries the genes, and are usually found in
pairs.
 There are 23 pairs of chromosomes. Chromosomes are classified
as autosomes or trait chromosomes (22 pairs) and gonosome or sex
chromosome.
THEORIES OF PHYSICAL SELF
1. THEORY OF PHYSIOGNOMY
Characteristics such as facial features and body structures could be related to a
person’s character or personality.
 According to the ancient Chinese practice of face reading, the face is a three
dimensional reflection of “who we are and how life has affected us”.
THE WISDOM OF YOUR FACE – JEAN HANER
 People with oval-shaped faces are generally hospitable and tactful.
 People with round-shaped faces tend to be friendly, kindhearted, and selfless.
 People with square faces tend to be witty, analytical, and great leaders.
 People who have heart-shaped faces are patient and intuitive by nature.
 People with long-shaped faces are perfectionist and tend to be aggressive.
 Persons with triangle-shaped faces tend to be creative, artistic, and sensitive.
 People with diamond faces are very detail-oriented and likes to be in control.
 Persons with large or highly-defined jaws have strong values and firm beliefs.
 Persons with angular-shaped faces tend to be more responsive, assertive, and
genuine than person with short and square-shaped faces (Squier & Mew, 1981).
CESARE LOMBROSO
 The “born criminals” could be anatomically identified by certain
facial characteristics or anomalies such as having sloping forehead,
ears of unusual size, enormous jaws, high cheek bones, prominent
superciliary arches, extreme size of the orbits and sessile ears
which are also seen in savages and apes.
 He stated that criminals reverted to a primitive or subhuman type
of man having features resembling to apes, early man and lower
primates, which is in some extent preserved, in modern “savages”.
WILLIAM SHELDON
 Developed a body-type theory based on physical characteristics. The three body
types are endomorphic, mesomorphic, and ectomorphic.
 Endomorphic – tends to be soft and plump. They tend to be easy going and
sociable.
 Mesomorphic – tends to have strong muscular body. They tend to be energetic,
adventurous and courageous.
 Ectomorphic – is tall and thin. They tend to be restrained, quiet, introverts and
artistic.
BODY IMAGE
WHAT IS BODY IMAGE?
Body image is how a person feels about his or her own physical
appearance that is…..
 How you see or picture yourself,
 How you feel others observe you,
 What you believe about your physical appearance,
 How you feel about your body,
 How you feel in your body.
CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO BODY IMAGE
SELF ESTEEM
WHAT IS SELF-ESTEEM?
Self-esteem is:
 All about how much people value themselves
 The pride they feel in themselves, and
 How worthwhile they feel.

“A person who has high self-esteem will make friends easily, is more
in control of his or her behavior, and will enjoy life more.”
WHAT INFLUENCES A PERSON’S SELF- ESTEEM?

Puberty: As teens your body goes through many changes. These

changes, combined with a natural desire to feel accepted, mean it can
be tempting for people to compare themselves to others.
Outside Influences: Media images of skinny girls and bulked-up guys,
family life, negative comments and hurtful teasing from classmates and
peers.
Healthy Self-Esteem: If you have a positive body image, you probably
like and accept yourself the way you are. Knowing what makes you
happy and how to meet your goals can help you feel capable, strong,
and in control of your life.
 “Confront the dark parts of
yourself, and work to banish them
with illumination and forgiveness.
Your willingness to wrestle with your
demons will cause your angels to
sing.”
― August Wilson