Anuddin, Shana Ira M.

BSN- 1K

CHAPTER 8: THE MATERIAL SELF

I believe that a simple and unassuming manner of life is best for
everyone, best both for the body and mind.
- Albert Einstein

A person’s tangible possessions like his or her car, house,

clothes, even family and friends make up his or her material self.
Material possessions usually a reflection of a person’s success of
failure.

According to William James self is everything that an

individual considers to be his or hers, not only his or her body and
the material possessions but also his or her reputation and
beliefs. The self is composed of the material self which is the
manifestation of one’s identity through his material possessions.

The basic component of material self.

Body – one of the tasks of adolescents is to accept and

appreciate the physical characteristics of their body.
Clothes – represent the self, the style and the brand of clothes
represent the self.

The material component of the self also includes people an

individual has relationships with such as one’s immediate and
extended family members as well as close friends with whom one
feels psychologically connected.
Alsied S. Saning
BSN-1K

CHAPTER 8: THE MATERIAL SELF

I believe that a simple and unassuming manner of life is best for
everyone, best both for the body and mind.
- Albert Einstein

The role of Material Possessions on the Sense of Self and

Identity.

 Material possession act as an objective manifestation of the self.

 Material possession can be a reflection of hard work and success.
 People tend to measure success through the amount of their material
possession.

MATERIALISM - refers to giving more importance to material possessions

than intangible values.

Consumer Culture
- Is a social system in which consumption is dominated by the
consumption of commercial products.

CONSUMERISM – is the consumption of material goods and services in

excess of one’s basic needs.