Student’s Name :

_____________________________________________________ Course &

Year : _____________________________________________________
Address : _____________________________________________________

UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

STUDENT COLLEGE
DEPARTMENT
MODULE 1
UNDERSTANDING THE SELF: Student Module (A.Y. 2020-2021) Page 1 of 7
GENERAL EDUCATION 001

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DEPARTMENT
MODULE 1

MODULE 1 Introduction to Understanding the Self: Social,

Environmental, and other Life Factors (S.E.L.F.)

OVERVIEW This module introduces you to the journey of understanding the Self. It highlights the social,
environmental, biological, and other life factors that contribute to the development of the Self.

LEARNING OUTCOMES At the end of the lesson,

you are expected to:
1. Determine the different factors that contribute to one’s being. 2. Evaluate the impact of the
different Factors of the Self according to one’s self-
appraisal. 3. Synthesize the influence of the different Factors of the Self based on individual
assessment.

Activity 1.1 DIAGNOSTICS. Activity Details: Check (√) the statement which you agree and put an X to which
you disagree

____ _____1. We are what we are right now because we want to be like this.

____ _____2. We can be whatever or whoever we want to be.

____ _____3. Our parents (or family members) can only influence us while we are in
our growing years.

Activity 2.1 Based on your observation, what make you who you are? Write your answer in the empty
space below:

___________________________________________________________________________________
_________
___________________________________________________________________________________
_________
___________________________________________________________________________________
__________

2.2 List down at least five (5) of your traits or characteristics and identify the possible source/s of these
traits.
___________________________________________________________________________________
__________
___________________________________________________________________________________
__________
___________________________________________________________________________________
__________

UNDERSTANDING THE SELF: Student Module (A.Y. 2020-2021) Page 2 of 7

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Throughout humankind’s history, the self as a subject of discussion and scrutiny is shrouded in
controversy. Many claim that the environment plays a vital role, while some would insist on the human
being’s innate nature. Another is that a person’s identity is independent of the self while others believe
that the essence of the self and identity overlap. The dimensions of the self or other known as factors
influencing the self, add up to the controversy about the self. In this section, we will explore the different
factors that influence the development of the self.

1. Nature vs.
Nurture
Nature—the basis of the Self is anchored on biology and explains that human traits are passed from
one generation to another.

Nurture—argues that Self should be principally viewed as an outcome of various nurturing factors in
the context of one’s life.

For further explanation, please click the link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmctxRcmloc

2. Identity (noun) vs. Self (noun)

Identity (noun)—the qualities, beliefs, etc., that make a particular person or group different from
others... or the distinguishing character or personality of an individual.

Self (noun)—refers to “the person that someone normally or truly is... or the entire person of an
individual.”

For additional information, please read:Contesting assumptions; challenging practice. Click this link:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/social-sciences/self-and- identity#:~:text=In%20general%2C
%20'identity'%20is,is%20employed%20in%20this%20book.

3. Dimensionalities of the
Self

• Social factor – refers to the influences of significant people in one’s life, such as the family— the
most basic attitudinal and behavioral attributes of individuals are shaped. It is referred to by many
social scientists as the nursery of human nature, which is a strong foundation of one's being.

The overall process of character and traits integration through social factor contributes to the
formation of one’s PERSONALITY (which includes an individual patterns of thinking, feeling, and
behaving)

• Environmental Factor— includes the physical and communal elements present in everyday
surroundings, and are invariably dealt with by individuals in a specific
UNDERSTANDING THE SELF: Student Module (A.Y. 2020-2021) Page 3 of 7
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geographic region or area. It also consists of the larger society or community, as well as the
expectations and norms operating in that particular locality or place.

• Hereditary Factor—factor that contributes to one’s identity or being, which already operate at the
time of conception (in the mother’s womb). Heredity is a biological process by which certain traits and
characteristics are passed from one generation to another. It is relatively fixed and permanent.

• Person-volition Factor—refers to the inclination of a person to form and construct a specific identity
that will set him apart from others. This factor emanates from within the mentality of an individual,
brought about by the aggregated social-life experiences.
 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF: Student Module (A.Y. 2020-2021) Page 4 of 7

Student’s Name :
_________________________________________________________________
Course & Year: _______________________________________ Class Schedule:
_____________________ Instructor: _____________________________________

Activity 3 Activity Details : Based on the concepts of the issues and factors that contribute to one’s
being as presented in the preceding section, please answer the following questions:

3.1 If you are to assess your own identity of the Self, which among the factors dominantly
contribute to your personal identity/self? Why?
________________________________________________________________________
_________
________________________________________________________________________
_________
________________________________________________________________________
_________

3.2 Why are there some extremely successful people (e.g., Pacquiao, Bill Gates, Henry Sy, etc.)?

__________________________________________________________________________
_________
__________________________________________________________________________
_________
__________________________________________________________________________
_________

TRAITS FACTORS OF SELF OR IDENTITY OR IDENTITY

Social Environmental Hereditary Person-volition Physical

Appearance (e.g., tall, has pointed nose, stout) 1 2 Emotional Expressions (e.g., warm, cheerful,

irritable) 1 2 Interpersonal Relationship (e.g., caring, friendly, aloof) 1 2

Activity 4.1 The Factors of My Self Activity Details: List down at least two (2) of your traits under each
of the categories provided on the table. Then, identify the possible source/s of these traits by ranking the
influence of the different factors (4 being the highest, 1 being the lowest)

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UNDERSTANDING THE SELF: Student Module (A.Y. 2020-2021) Page 5 of 7
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4.2 Based on the sum of the scores in each factor, which has the highest score?

__________________________________________________________________________
_________
__________________________________________________________________________
_________
__________________________________________________________________________
_________

4.3 Do you believe that the highest factor is more influential in your identity /self? Elaborate your
answer.

____________________________________________________________________________
_________
____________________________________________________________________________
_________
____________________________________________________________________________
_________

Activity 5 Quiz. Instruction: Answer the questions and write your answer in the space
provided.

What are the 3 most prevalent issues on Self?

(1)
________________________________________
__ (2)
________________________________________
__ (3)
________________________________________
__

Which factor refers to the influences of significant people in one’s life?

(4)
________________________________________
__

The way you are viewed by the world, and the characteristics that define you is your (5)
___________________________________________.

Which factor influences Self that includes the physical properties of the surrounding is (6)
___________________________________________.

True or False. Write T or F on the blank to answer

7. Our families can only influence us while we are in our growing years. ______

8. There are still many things that we haven’t discovered about ourselves_______

9. Identical twins develop the same identities._______

10. The Self is the total characteristic of a person, both known and unknown to others. ________

1. Make a short reflection about who you are. The title of the reflection is “Who Am I”? 2.
Watch the video “PHILOSOPHY - Mind: Personal Identity (The Narrative Self)”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcIqoN9oRgo .

UNDERSTANDING THE SELF: Student Module (A.Y. 2020-2021) Page 6 of 7

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References
STUDENT :
MODULE 1 COLLEGE
DEPARTMENT

1. Macayan, J.V., Pinugu, J.N., & Castillo, J.C. (2018). Understanding the Self. C&E Publishing
Inc. : Quezon City

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmctxRcmloc

3. Hammell, K.W. (2006). Contesting assumptions; challenging practice. Retrieved from:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/social-sciences/self-and- identity#:~:text=In%20general
%2C%20'identity'%20is,is%20employed%20in%20this%20book .
UNDERSTANDING THE SELF: Student Module (A.Y. 2020-2021) Page 7 of 7