Chapter 2- Unpacking the Self

CHAPTER 2- UNPACKING THE SELF

Lesson 1
The Physical and Sexual Self

Sexual Self
- Sex chromosomes of human define sex and their secondary sex characteristics.
- From childhood we are controlled by our genetic make-up
- However there are individuals who do not accept their innate sexual
characteristics and tend to change their organs thru surgeries and medications.
- Aside from genes, society helps us shape ourselves.

Developmental Aspects of the Reproductive System

- Although the sex of an individual is determined in time of fertilization, the
gonads do not begin to form until the eight week of embryonic development.
- Prior to this time, the embryonic reproductive structures of male and females are
identical and are said to be indifferent stage.
- After gonads have formed, development of the accessory structures and external
genitalia begins.
- Although the sex of an individual is determined in time of fertilization, the
gonads do not begin to form until the eight week of embryonic development.
- After gonads have formed, development of the accessory structures and external
genitalia begins.
- Whether male or female structure will form depends entirely on the presence or
absence of testosterone.

Bizzare Abnormalities
- Any interference to the normal pattern of sex hormone production in the embryo
results to bizzare abnormalities.
- If the embryonic testes fail to produce testosterone, a genetic male develops the
female genitalia structures. Vice – versa
- If genetic female is exposed to testosterone, the embryonic ovaries may develop
male accessory and an empty scrotum.
- A combination of having both sex organs are usually termed as
“hermaphrodites” – which has one more dominant sex organ
- The male testes, formed in the abdominal cavity at approximately same location
as the female’s ovary descend to enter scrotum about 1 month before birth.
- Failure of this process result to condition identified as cryptorchidism – where a
male is usually sterile and have high risk of cancer in testes .

Meiosis
- Abnormal separation of chromosomes during meiosis can lead to congenital
defects of the reproductive system.
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- If a male would have an extra female chromosome have normal male accessory
structures but their testes are in the state of atrophy, causing them to be sterile.
- Since the reproductive system organs do not function until puberty, there are few
problems with this system during childhood.
- Puberty is the period of life, generally between the ages of 10 and 15 years, when
the reproductive organs grow to their adult size and become functional under
the influence of rising levels of gonadal hormones.
- Reproductive capability continues till old age in males and menopause in
females.

Puberty
- Males puberty start with the enlargement of testes and scrotum, around age of
13 years, followed by the appearance of pubic, axillary and facial hair.
- Growth of the male reproductive organ goes on the next two years, and sexual
maturation is indicated by the presence of sperm in the semen.
- In the meantime, young men experiences unexpected erections and nocturnal
emissions or “wet dreams” as his hormones surge and hormonal control mature
after two more years.

Diseases Associated with Reproductive System

A. Adults
 Most common problems are infections.
 Female reproductive organ infections are more common in young and
elderly women and in those whose resistance is low.
 Common infections include those caused by:
a. Escherichia coli (spread from digestive tract)
b. Sexually transmitted microorganisms (gonorrhea, syphilis and herpes
virus)
c. Yeast (fungus)
 Untreated infections may spread throughout the female reproductive tract,
causing pelvic inflammatory diseases and sterility.
 Problems involving painful and abnormal menses may result from infection
or hormone imbalance.
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Sexually Transmitted Diseases

 A communicable infection transmitted by sexual intercourse or genital
contact
 Most common inflammatory conditions in male are
a. Urethritis
b. Prostitis
c. Epididymis
d. Orchiditis (inflammation of testes) – may cause sterility

B. Women
 Reach peak reproductive abilities in their late 20’s, in which after natural
ovarian function decreases.
 As estrogen production declines, ovulation becomes irregular and menstrual
periods become scanty and shorter in length wherein ovulation and menses
ceases entirely, ending child – rearing ability; “menopause”
 Although estrogen production continues even at menopause, the ovaries stop
functioning.
 Deprivation of estrogen, causes the breast to begin atrophy, vagina becomes
dry, intercourse may become painful (particularly if frequent) and vaginal
infections become increasingly common.

Other effects of Estrogen deficit

 Irritability
 Mood Changes (depression in some)
 Intense vasodilation of skin’s blood vessels which causes sweat – drenching
“hot flashes”
 Gradual thinning of skin
 Loss of bone mass
 Slowly rising blood cholesterol levels which risks women to cardiovascular
disorders.

*Physicians prescribe low-dose of estrogen-progestin preparations to help through

difficult period and to prevent skeletal and cardiovascular complications.

C. Men
 Has no equivalent menopause
 Although aging men exhibit decline in testosterone secretion
 Reproductive capability is unending
 If living healthy, men are able to father offspring well in their 80’s and
beyond

Erogenous Zones
- Parts of the body that are chiefly sensitive and cause increase in sexual arousal when
touched in a sexual arousal when touched.
- Some widely – known erogenous zones are:

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o Mouth
o Breast nipple and areola
o Reproductive organs
o Anus
o G spot
*Erogenous zones differ from person to person, as some may enjoy being touched in certain area
more than other areas. May include neck, thighs, abdomen and feet.

Human Sexual Behavior

- Any activity – solitary; between two persons, or group – that induces sexual arousal
(Gebhard P.H. 2017)
- There are two major factors that determine human sexual behavior: the inherited sexual
response patterns that have involved as a means of ensuring reproduction and that are a
part of each individual’s genetic inheritance, and the degree of restraint or other types of
influence exerted on the individual by society in the expression of his sexuality.

1. Solitary Behavior
 Self – gratification is self-stimulation with the intention of causing sexual
arousal and, generally sexual climax.
 Most is done private as an end in itself but is sometimes practiced facilitate
sociosexual relationship.
 It usually begins before puberty, and more common among males but
become less frequent or abandoned when sociosexual activity is available –
which tends to be more common in among unmarried.
 Fewer females practice self –gratification.
 In U.S, roughly ½ to 2/3rds have done so as compared to 9 out 10 in males.
 Females also tend to discontinue self – gratification when sociosexual activity
is already present.
 Myths persists, despite scientific proof to contrary, tha tself – gratification is
physically harmful.
 Neither is there evidence that it is an immature behavior, which is why it’s
more common to adults who have deprived sociosexual opportunities.
 For some, it is laden with guilt, for others it is a release of sexual tension with
no emotional content, relief from stress or simply another source of pleasure
to be enjoyed for own sake.

During Sleep
 Sexual climax during sleep evidently occurs only in human
 Males and Females may experience sexual climax and nocturnal emissions.
 In some cases, it occur more frequently to individual with deprived
sociosexual activity or has abstinence to it.

2. Sociosexual Behavior
 By far, the greatest amount of sociosexual behavior is heterosexual behavior
between male and female.

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 It usually begins in childhood with the aid of curiosity, such as showing off
genitalia and engaging in sex – play finding it pleasurable.
 With adolescence, sex-play is superseded by dating, which is socially
encouraged that inevitably may involve physical contact that may result to
arousal.
 Thus, resulting to possible intimate physical contact such as petting
(hugging, kissing, caressing etc.) that may be a preliminary to coitus.

Coitus
 The insertion of male reproductive organ to female reproductive organ.
 MAJORITY of societies permits premarital coitus, at least under certain
circumstances.
 Marital coitus is usually regarded as an obligation to most societies.
 Extramarital coitus, particularly by wives, is generally condemned and, if
permitted, is allowed only under exceptional conditions or specified persons.
 Societies tend to be more lenient towards males than females with regards
extramarital coitus.
 “machismo”

Physiology of Human Response

Two basic physiological responses:
Vasocongestion
(penile and clitoral erection, breasts)
Myotonia
(flexion and contraction of muscles)

Four Phase Model

 Excitement
 Plateau
 Orgasm
 Resolution

Excitement
In Women In Men
– Vaginal lubrication: - Penis become engorged
– Inner 2/3 of vagina expands - Erection of penis (variable)
– Labia majora flatten and move apart - Scrotal skin tightens
– Labia minora and clitoris enlarge
– Contraction of small muscle fibers in nipples
Plateau
In Women In Men
- Prominent vasocongestion in outer 2/3 of - Full erection of penis
- Vagina cause tissue to swell - Muscular tension
- Clitoris pulled back against pubic bone - Cowper’s glands secrete
the pre-ejaculatory fluid
-Testes are pulled up closely
against the body
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Orgasm
In Women In Men
- Contractions at 0.8 second intervals - Rhythmic contractions
- Contractions of vagina, uterus and of genital ducts, muscles
anal sphincter at the base of the penis
- May be followed by ejaculation of
semen
Resolution
- Return to pre-orgasmic state

How do women achieve orgasm?

- 95% women said could
- orgasm easily with masturbation
- Women masturbate through
- Manual stimulation of clitoris
- 1.5% through vaginal insertion alone
- Little cross-cultural information

Multiple Orgasms
- Return to the plateau phase, rather than resolution after orgasm
- 14% of women have frequent multiple orgasms
- 8-15% of younger adult males and 3% of adult men
- Ejaculation seems to prevent return to plateau stage

Sexual Disorders
- Sexual behavior is a major focus of both our private thoughts and public discussions
- Experts recognize two general categories of sexual disorders:
o Sexual dysfunctions – problems with sexual responses
 Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder- lack of interest in sex and little
sexual activities
 Sexual Aversion Disorder- total aversion to sex
o Paraphilias – repeated and intense sexual urges and fantasies in response to
socially inappropriate objects or situations

Natural and Artificial Methods of Contraception

A. Natural Methods
 Abstinence
o abstaining from sexual intercourse with 0% fail rate
 Calendar Method
o also called rhythm method
o involves refraining from coitus on days the woman is fertile
o three or four days before and three or four days after
 Basal Body Temperature (BBT)
o women’s temperature at rest taken every morning
o higher temperature may indicate fertility / ovulation
 Cervical Mucus Method
o based on cervical mucus during ovulation
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o must be thin and watery

o stretches mucus up to 1 inch and feel slippery
 Symptothermal Method
o combination of BBT and Cervical Mucus method
 Coitus Interruptus
o one of the oldest methods
o ”withdrawal”
o Has disadvantage due to pre – emission of semen
 Ovulation Detection
o over – the – counter kit that can predict ovulation through surge of
luteinizing hormone 12 to 24 hours before ovulation
o checking of urine samples

B. Artificial Methods
 Contraceptives
o Also known as pills
o Contain synthetic estrogen and progesterone
o Suppresses follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone
 Transdermal Patch
o Combination of estrogen and progesterone
o One patch each week for three weeks applied in outer arm, upper
torso, abdomen or buttocks.
 Vaginal Ring
o Combination of estrogen and progesterone which surrounds the
cervix.
o The silicon ring stays fro three weeks and will be removed before
menstruation.
o Fertility follows after the ring is removed
 Subdermal Implants
o Rod – like implants embedded under the skin during her menses or
on the 7th day of menstruation.
o Contains etonogestrel, desogestrel, and progestin.
o Effective for five years
 Hormonal Injections
o Consists of medroxyprogesterone. Given every twelve weeks
intramuscularly.
o Inhibits ovulation and causes changes in the endometrium and the
cervical mucus.
 Intrauterine Device
o Small T-shaped object that is inserted into the uterus via female
reproductive organ.
o Effective for 5 to 7 years.
 Chemical Barriers
o E.g. Spermicides, vaginal gel and creams and glycerin films.
o Lower the Ph level of females reproductive organ that may causes
death of sperm cells.

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 Diaphragm
o Inhibits entrance of sperm into the female
reproductive organ.
o Placed before the coitus
o Usually combined with spermicide

 Cervical Cap
o Another barrier method
o Made of soft rubber and fitted in the rim of cervix
o Shaped like thimble with thin rim
o Should only be used for not more than 48 hours
 Male Condom
o Latex and synthetic rubber sheath that is placed
on the erect male reproductive organ before penetration in the female
reproductive organ to trap the sperm during emission of semen
o May prevent STI’s, can be brought over the counter without fitting
needed.
 Female Condoms
o Latex rubber sheaths designed for females, pre-
lubricated with spermicide.
o Has inner ring that covers the cervix and an outer open
ring that is placed against the opening of female
reproductive organ.
 Surgical Method
o Vasectomy – tying, blocking or cutting of vas deferens.
o Tubal Ligation – occluding the fallopian tubes through cutting,
cauterizing, or blocking to inhibit the passage of ova and the sperm

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Lesson 2
The Material Self

William James, a Harvard Psychologist described that Self have components

- Constituents
- Self-Feelings
- Self- seeking and self- preservation

The constituents of self are composed of the materials self, the social self, the spiritual
self and the pure ego.

Material Self (James)

- Bodies
- Clothes
- Immediate Family
- Home

We are deeply affected with these things because we put much investment of
our self to them.

Body
- The inner most part of our inner self is the body.
- We strive hard to make sure that this body functions well and good.
- We do have preferential attachment or intimate closeness to our certain body
parts because of its value to us.
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Clothes
- Influenced by the “Philosophy of Dress” by Herman Lotze, James believed
that clothing is an essential part of the material self.
- The fabric and styles of the clothes we wear brings sensations to the body, of
which directly affects our attitudes and behaviors.
- Clothing is a form of self-expression.

Immediate Family
- What our parents and siblings do and become affects us.
- We place huge investment to our immediate family when we see them as a
the nearest replicate of our self.

Home
- Home is the earliest nest of our selfhood.
- Home is an extension of self because in it, we directly connect our self.

As we grow older, putting importance to material possession decreases.

However, material possessions gains higher value in our life time , if we use this to
find happiness, associate this things to significant events, and people in our lives.

The possessions that we have will told something about who we are; our self-
concept, our past and even our future.

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Lesson 3
The Spiritual Self

Spiritual Self is one of the four constituents of the Self according to William James.

The ability to use moral sensibility and conscience may be seen through the expression
of religion, its beliefs and practices.

Religion
 Religion is as set of cultural beliefs and practices that usually includes some of all
the basic characteristics (Rebecca Stein 2011).

 Some of these characteristics are:

◦ A belief in anthropomorphic supernatural being such as spirit such as
gods;
◦ A focus on sacred supernatural
◦ The presence of supernatural power or energy that is found on
supernatural being

 Other characteristics are:

o Performance of ritual activities that involves the manipulation of
sacred objects to communicate to supernatural beings
o Articulation of worldview and moral codes through narratives and
other means
o Provide the creation of and maintenance of social bonds and
mechanism of social control within a community.

 The choice of religious beliefs lies within the spiritual self. Although the
choice may be influenced by society and its culture.

Rituals
 Rituals is the performance of ceremonial acts prescribed by a tradition or
sacred law (Penner 2017).

 Ritual is a specific and observable mode of behavior exhibited by all known

societies.

 Fundamental characteristics of Rituals (Penner 2017):

o Feeling or emotion of respect, awe, fascination, or dread in relation to
sacred.
o Dependence upon a belief system that is usually expressed in the
language or myth.
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o Symbolic in relation to its reference.

World Religious Practices

 Buddhism
o Founded by Gautama Buddha

o Buddhism is a tradition that focuses on Personal Spiritual

Development. They strive for a deep insight into the true nature of
life.

o Two streams of Buddhism

 Theravada
 Mahayana

o Beliefs
 Wheel of life or Wheel of becoming
View of the universe
 Karma
The law of cause and effect
 Four Noble Truths
 Suffering Exists
 There is a cause of suffering (Desire, Attachment)
 There is an end to suffering (Nirvana, Awakening)
 In order to end the suffering, you must follow the Eight
Fold Paths
 Eight Fold Paths
 Right understanding on of the Four Noble Truths
 Right thinking; following the right path in life
 Right speech
 Right conduct
 Right livelihood: without harming others
 Right effort to cleanse the mind of harmful thoughts and
desires
 Right mindfulness
 Right concentration

o Customs and Practices

 Festivals
 Parinirvana Day (February)
 Buddha Day (May)
 Dharma Day (July)
 Padmasambhava Day (October)

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 Sangha Day (November)

 Meditation Practices
 Samatha and Vipassana
 Take refuge to
 Buddha (teacher)
 Dharma (teachings)
 Sangha (community)

 Hinduism
o Beliefs
 Hinduism is best understood as a complete way of life, a path
of sanctification, and a discipline that leads to a higher level of
consciousness.
 Hinduism has no founder.
 Hindus are often thought to be polytheist.
 Vedas are the sacred scriptures of Hindus.
 Veda/ vedas is a Sanskrit word which means knowledge
 Many of these scriptures is concerned with Dharma
 Dharma means duty, virtue and morality.
 It upholds the universe and the society.
 Hindus believed that the existence is a cycle of birth, death, and
rebirth governed by Karma
 Karma is a law that in every action has an equal reaction.

o Customs and Practices

 Hindus follow the lunar calendar and particular days are set
aside during the week or moth to honor manifestations of God.
 Festivals are celebrated by in different ways by different
communities
 Diwali- Festival of Light
 Navratri- nine nights which celebrate the triumph of
good over evil.
 Puja- (Hindu worship) Their worship involves images, prayers
and mantras.

 Islam
o Islam is an Arabic Word which means willing submission to God.

o Beliefs
 Mohammed is the last and final prophet
 He was born in mecca in 570 CE
 He received revelations from God through Angel Gabriel for
almost 23 years.
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 Islam’s holy book is Quran

 Polygamy- Having more than one wife
 Hijab- Arabic word which means barrier or partition
 Shahada- Belief that there is no God but the one true God and
Mohammed is the messenger

o Customs and Practices

 Salat- Prayer five times a day
 Zakat- 2 ½ % of Muslims assets is given in welfare tax to benefit
the poor
 Hajj- Annual pilgripamge to Mecca- a requirement for once in a
lifetime
 Sawm- During the month of Ramadan, Muslims are required to
abstain from food, drinks and sexual acts from dawn until
sunset.

 Christianity
o It is the world’s biggest religion

o It is based on the teachings of Jesus who lived in the Earth 2000 years
ago.

o Beliefs
 There is one God in three person
 Father
 Son
 Holy Spirit
 Salvation is through faith on Jesus Christ
 Man is a sinner and needs a savior to be saved
 Jesus Christ was died, rose again, go to heaven and will come
back

o Customs and Practices

 Prayer and Fasting
 Reading the Holy Scripture (Bible)
 Attending Church Activities
 Fellowship with Believers
 Sharing the Word of God (Evangelism/ Missions)

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Lesson 4
The Political Self and Being Filipino

Identifying Filipino

Filipinos, according to the Philippine Constitution, are:

a. those whose father and mothers are citizens of the Philippine;
b. those born before January 17, 1987;
c. who elect Philippine citizenship upon reaching the age of majority; and
d. those who are naturalized in accordance with law.

Citizen is not only the marker of Filipino, culture and history has greatly
influenced the manner Filipinos learn, live and behave.

Filipino Traits and Values

1. Filipino Hospitality
2. Respect for Elders
3. Close Family Ties
4. Cheerful Personality
5. Self-scrifice
6. “Bayanihan”
7. “Bahala Na” Attitude
8. Colonial Mentality
9. Mańana Habit
10. Ningas Kugon
11. Pride
12. Crab Mentality
13. Filipino Time

Filipino Markers
1. Proverbs or Salawikain
2. Superstitions
3. Myths and Legends
4. Heroes and Icons

How to be a good Filipino

1. Be an active Filipino citizen
2. Study the Philippine History
3. Support Local Products
4. Speak the Filipino Language
5. Do not spread fake news and be democratic in engaging

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Lesson 5
The Digital Self

- Online Identity- sum of all our characteristics and our interactions in the web
- Partial Identity- subset of characteristics that make up our identity
- Persona- partial identity we create that represents one’s self in specific situation

Self- Presentation
- This is the process of controlling how one is perceived by other people and is
they key to relationship inception and development.
- In order to construct positive images, individuals selectively provide information
about them and carefully cater this information in response to other’s feedback.

Extended Self in Digital World

 SELF- REVELATION
 The sharing of information about self-online facilitated by the
disinhibition and confessional means that it is now far easier to present
ourselves in ways that would have been awkward in pre- digital times.

 LOSS OF CONTROL
 Even if we restrict certain content to a designed circle of online friends,
there is no guarantee that the information will not be reposted, retweeted
or quoted. Sharing confidences with friends is not new, but the potential
audience is now far broader.

 SHARED DIDITAL POSSESSIONS AND AGGREGATE SELF

 In the digital realm, we are part of imagined communities whose
members may not be personally known aside from their pseudonyms and
online contributions.
 The acts of sharing information about the subject matter creates feeling
and group identity.

Smart sharing
 Before posting or sharing anything online, we should consider the following
questions.
 Is this post/ story necessary?
 Is there a real benefit to this post?
 Is it appropriate?

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