Chapter 9
Smart Phones – a mobile telephone that can be
The Digital Self
 The development of massive technology in
the field of communications has immensely
influenced the life, work, habits and
experiences of people across the globe. The
constant increase in the use of digital
communication such as the social media has
undeniably defined the formation of digital
self among individuals.
 The impact of technological advances in
every area of human life has evidently
expanded the concept of “self” among
people.
 Each has digital self which is what we use to
be a part of the technological world.
 This digital self is decoy that we use conceal
our real self.
 As we share our selves to the world we try
to hide our true self to cover up the issues
that we have about ourselves and show the
world that we are fine and perfect.
 As we show the significant affirmation and
acceptance.
 Remarkably, the recent decade has
introduced developments that created great
impact in our lives and some of them are the
following:
1. Internet – an electronic communications
network that connects computer facilities
around the world.
2. Social networking sites (Facebook, tweeter,
My space etc.)
Social networking – the activity of creating
personal and business relationships with
other people especially by sharing
information, personal messages on the
Internet.
3. Text message or short message service
(SMS)
Text message – a short message that is sent
electronically to a cellphone or other device.
4.
used to send and receive e-mail, connect to the
Internet, take photographs, etc.
5. Applications – a program that performs a
particular task or set of tasks.
6. Youtube – is a video sharing service that allows
users to watch videos posted by other users and
upload videos of their own.
7. Blogs/Vlogs - a website that contains online
personal reflections, comments and often
hyperlinks, videos, and photographs provided by the
writer.
8. Search Engines – a computer program that is used
to look for information on the internet.
9. Word Wide Web – a part of the Internet accessed
through a graphical user interface and containing d
documents often connected by hyperlinks –called
Web
10. Email – a system for sending messages from one
computer to another computer
11. Chat Rooms – a Web site or computer program
that allows people to send messages to each other
instantly over the internet.
12. On-line shopping - the process of searching for
and purchasing goods and services over the Internet
through the use of the web browser.
13 . Dating Sites
Online dating – is a way of meeting a potential love
interest using the Internet.
The Web is the home to myriad dating sites that
cater to a variety of people, preferences and
lifestyles.
14. GPS (Global Positioning system) – a
system of satellites computers, and receivers
that is able to determine the latitude and
longitude of a receiver on Earth by
calculating the time difference for signals
from different satellites to reach the
receiver.
 15. Wifi or Wireless Network- are computer
networks that are not connected by cables of
any kind. The use of a wireless network
enables enterprises to avoid the costly
process of introducing cable into buildings
or as a connection between different
equipment locations.
16. Game Consoles – a specialized desktop
computer used to play video games. The two
most popular consoles are Sony’s Play
station and Microsoft’s Xbox.
 William James, the father of
American psychology, has
reiterated that each individual
possesses personalities according to
his/her current situation which in
turn reveals his/her digital identity.
The Impact of Digital Advancements to Identity
The Impact of
Digital
Advancements
to Identity
1. Disconnectedness
The increasing use of gadgets and presence
in the social media results in being disconnected from
the people around us.
As we rush to connect to the online world we neglect
to interact face to face with those who demand
attention from us.
Often, we prefer to stay stuck on the social media
creating recent posts or stalking on someone else for
hours while being mentally insensitive to the
happenings around us.
2. Developing and Nurturing Virtual Relationship
 The progressive development in
the features of social networking sites allows
individuals to gain thousands of friends and
even millions of followers.
 This eventually leads to creating virtual
relationships which satisfies the need for
relationships and intimacy.
3. Online Recklessness
 The online world has provided its users the
opportunity to express themselves by
communicating their thoughts and responses
whether in the form of an emoticon, emoji,
animated gif, meme or through traditional
words.
 These are ways to express positive or
negative feedback on a recent post seen on
social networking site.
 We are all liable for our acts but many have
revealed the tendency is to be reckless and
irresponsible.
They cannot regulate and monitor on their

expression of emotions.
 This is definitely a manifestation of extreme
recklessness which does not help in the
development of maturity among individuals.
4.) Distorted Identity Formation
 The digital world offers the opportunity to
create several identities according to our
hearts desire.
 An individual can change his citizenship,
gender, looks, character, and status in the
online world.
 The desire to be someone else or to create an
ideal self in this realm can be achieved
instantly through the advance features
offered In the social networking sites as
enhanced by open sourced applications
(Apps).
 The identity that we desire to project online
may either reflect our true self or our ideal
self.
5.) Significant Portion of our lives is being
broadcasted
 If analyzed well, it shows that every detail
of what we post online is for public
consumption.
6.) Digital Self-Harm.
 Studies have revealed that around 6% of
adolescents between the ages of 12 to 17
years are practicing this so-called “digital
self-harm”, and they are done through the
use of smartphones.
 The loneliness, emptiness and anxiety digital
technology produce results in the declining
mental health and the increasing rate of
adolescent suicide.
 Engagement in this online behavior also
permits “cyber bullying” as the details about
the individuals weaknesses are set in front of
public eye.
7.) Contribute to a Declining Mental Health
 The inability to gain attention from the
significant others results to sadness and
frustration. This is contributing a lot to a
declining mental health as the individual is
unable to overcome stress.
 Crimes arise due to this reality as they
develop angst and heighten emotional issues
which they cannot resolve in a more mature
manner.
8.) Self-Obsession
 Constant exposure to the online world has
evidently increased the incidence of
“narcissism” many have become self-
obsessed and self-absorbed as promoted by
the social media.
 Users expect the there will be following and
responses to their posts whether it is an
image, a quote, an emotional post evident
through “likes” “shares” and “tweets”
individuals who submit themselves to these.
 Consequently the development of the social
media has brought forth the introduction of
intangible elements which become an
extension of ourselves. Those are what we
post online and what we keep offline which
become part of our digital possessions.
Photos, emails, SMS, videos and the like
have become vital reflections of our digital
self.
Reasons for engaging in the Digital Hype
It offers a unique experience which makes great
impact on the way by the following basic reasons:
1.) Every individual desires to meet the expectation
of the significant others in his/her life. Many would
not readily post their photos online but will edit or
filter the same to ensure that they look a lot better in
heir digital images.
2.) Online posting of objects as well as current
statuses is expected to receive responses and
reactions from their followers as in the form of
“likes” and “shares” these are gestures that boost
their ego and self-esteem.
3.) As Abraham Maslow had stated in the “Hierarchy
of Needs” (1943), each has the need to “belong”
everyone desires to “blend in” and so when everyone
on the social media poses photos of his/her food then
all others follow the trend. Uploading of these images
creates a feeling of being part of hype.
4.) The digital web provides individual with such
much more freedom to express themselves in varied
forms.
5.) The digital world allow the individual to achieve
his or her “ideal self” whether it is physical such as
those provided by online applications to improve
their images physically.
Chapter 10
Intellectual Development
• Mental ability forms part of one’s image.
• Intelligence is a component that has to be
consideres when analyzing the ‘self’.
 • All other things equal, individuals have the • Howard Gardner himself has pointed onto
ability and even the skills to learn. the eight multiple intelligence that an
individual may possess.
What is Intelligence?

• Several Philosophers have asserted that

individual intelligence cannot be absolutely
measured because standards are at times
subjective.

• Einstein himself said that “The true sign of

intellignece is not knowledge but
imagination.”

• The true measure of intelligence and its

definition cannot be absolutely established.

• Hence, we refer to how psychologists have Developing Intellectual Abilities

endevored to conceptualize intelligence.
• As intelligence forms part of our identiy and
• Coon, (2006) summed up insights about the imagery, varied ways have to be adoped to
essence of intellignece. enhance ones intellectual ability.

• Charles Spearman, proposed that • Everything begins with the motive to go

intelligence is the single factor that enables forth and advance.
problem solving and doing welll in all areas
of cognition. • Individual should not only possess the
ability but the drive to learn, re-learn and
• Louis Leon Thurstone, proposed that there unlearn.
are seven primary abilities such as verbal,
memory, numerical abilities • Learn about new things that may aid in the
pormotion of life skills,
• Raymond Cattell, describe intelligence as
crystallized and flued and includes • Relearn relevant elements that may
knowledge and skills measured by tests and continue to affect one’s behavior and
vocabulary. The same arises from persona and to
experience, and education.
• Unlearn those antiquated and obsolete ideas
• Fluid intelligence, is hereditary, based on and ways of life that are no longer true and
neurophysiological structures manifested in appropriate.
a person’s ability to think and reason
Study Habits
abstractly.
• Education provides an individual a license
• Today, intelliegence - is defined as the
that will equip him to achieve future goals
global capacity to act purposely, to think
that is crucial to the image that he wants to
rationally and deal effectively with
project to the significant others..
immediate environment.
• Following are ways to deal with the
• Intelligence involves reasoning, problem
everyday physical, emotional and
solving ability, knowledge memory and the
intellectual requirements in the school.
successful adaption to one’s surrounding.
1. Have the right mindset
2. Pactice Zero navigation When preparing for
the coursework
3. choose the Proper Venue for Studying.
4. make a Reviewer.
5. Bring only the Things that You need
6. Be smart, Use Device such as Mnemonics.
7. Choose the Best time to Study
8. Never be dependent on the Worldwide Web
and Your personal Computer
9. Reward your self.
10. Have a sense of Accomplishment
 Educators should be aware of the learning
styles of students but investigations have
concluded that there is no need to adjust to a
learner’s style of learning.
 Hence, it is necessary that the individual be
aware of his/her strengths and weaknesses
especially when it comes to effectively
absorbing new learning experiences.
1. Visual Learners: Learn through
Seeing…
These learners need to see the teacher’s
body language and facial expression to fully
understand the content of a lesson.
They tend to prefer sitting at the front of the
classroom to avoid visual obstructions.
They may think in pictures and learn the
best from visual displays including:
diagrams, illustrated, textbooks, overhead
transparencies, videos, flipcharts and hand-
outs.
2. Auditory Learner: Learn through
Listening…
 They learn best through verbal lectures,
discussions, talking things through and
listening to what others have to say.
 Auditory learners interpret the underlying
meanings of speech through listening to tone
of voice, pitch, speed and other nuances.
 These learners often benefit from reading
text aloud and using a tape recorder.
3. Tactile/Kinesthetic Learners: Learn
through, Moving, Doing and
Touching…
 Tactile/Kinesthetic persons learn best
through a hands-on approach, actively
exploring the physical world around them.
 They may find it hard to sit still for long
periods and may become distracted by their
need for activity and exploration.
Developing Learning Skills
 Considering that individuals have different
ways to learn and grasp concepts, then it
follows that an understanding of our strength
and weaknesses will equip us with
knowledge as to how we should go about
overcoming and compensating for our
deficiencies.
Below are steps to go about this need
to develop learning skills based on
what one needs.
 Step 1. One has to identify his learning
preference and understand its intricacies so
as to understand the best approach to learn;
 Step 2. Determine if the chosen learning
preference will suffice your understanding
of your learning need;
 Step 3. Develop those areas to which you
think you are deficient. There is always a
chance for an individual to not only
compensate on those gray areas but desire to
improve on the same.
VARIED LEARNING STYLES
SENSORY
Sensory learners prefer concrete,
practical, and procedural information.
They look for the facts.
INTUITIVE
Intuitive Learners prefer conceptual
innovative, and theoretical information.
They look for the meaning
VISUAL
Visual Learners – prefer graphs,
pictures, and diagrams. They look for
visual representations of information
VERBAL
 Verbal learners prefer to hear or read facts or memorize data that will help assess
information. They look for a theory or procedure.
explanations with words.

ACTIVE
Active learners – prefer to manipulate
objects, do physical experiments, and
learn by trying. They enjoy working in
groups to figure out problems.

REFLECTIVE
Reflective learners prefer to think
through, to evaluate options, and learn
by analysis. They enjoy figuring out a
problem on their own.
SEQUENTIAL
Sequential learners – prefer to have
information presented linearly and in
orderly manner. They put together the
detail in order to understand how the
big picture emerges.
GLOBAL
Global learners prefer a holistic and
systematic approach. They see the big
picture first and then fill in the details.
 Differences in personality and identity imply
variety in learning styles.
 One can be good in listening to learn new
things while others perform better visually
or kinesthetically.
 Hence, it should be appreciated that what is
true to a specific individual may not apply to
another.
1. Sensory Learner – If one relies too much
on sensing he tends to prefer what is similar,
and concentrate on facts he knows instead of
being innovative and adapting to new
situations.
Developing Time Management Skills
3. Visual Learners – Concentrate more on
pictorial or graphical information that on
words, this gives a distinct disadvantage
because verbal and written information is
still the main preferred choice for delivery
of information.
4. Verbal Learner – When information is
presented in diagrams, sketches, flow charts
it can develop and reduce time spent
learning and absorbing information.
5. Active Learners – There is a need to
concentrate on assessing information and
summarizing situations.
6. Reflective Learners – ‘Haste makes
waste.’ Too much thinking takes too much
time. There comes a time when a decision
has to be made quickly.
7. Sequential Learners – Breaking down the
concepts and data in its smallest components
proves to be good but unproductive.
8. Global learners - this individual can see
the bigger picture and so desires to
immediately to splurge on the activity.

1. Write a ‘To Do’ List

2. Create a Weekly and Monthly Planner

3. Be Prepared for All Your Activities Way Ahead .

4. Be on Time or at Least 15 Minutes Earlier

2. Intuitive Learners – If he relies too much
on intuition he risk missing important details
which can lead to poor decision-making and
problem solving. The learner should learn
Developing Decisiveness

 Each of us is confronted by everyday

dilemma. There comes moment to which we
are caught in between objects or realities
that we both desire but we cannot both
acquire.

 Conflicts arise during incidents where there

is no option but to perform. In these cases
one’s ability to decide is being challenged.

 Maturity and emotional quotient (EQ) are

required at these trying moments.

 Decisions, therefore, are complex choices

thus the need to develop one’s ability to
decide as one matures becomes a necessity.

Here are some tips to come up with the best

decisions:

1. Refrain from Relying on ‘fate’ and the

Supernatural

2. Choose People of Authority When Asking for

Advices

3. Consider Always the Pros and Cons

4. Stand your Ground