Module 1: Defining the Self: Personal and Developmental

Perspectives on Self and Identity

Lesson
Lesson 2: Self
1: The Thefrom
Self, Society
Variousand Culture Perspectives
Philosophical

Learning Outcomes
At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
a) explain the relationship between and among the self, society and culture;
b) describe and discuss the different ways by which society and culture shape the self;
c) compare and contrast how the self can be influenced by the different institutions in
the society; and
d) examine one’s self against the different views of self that were discussed in the
class.

Time Frame: Week 3

Introduction
In your previous lesson, you were taught on the philosophical views of the different
philosophers that have helped you create your own Philosophy of Self and you were also
guided to answer the question Who Am I and write something about yourself.
In this lesson, series of activities will be introduced that will explain the relationship
between the self and the external world. We may be gifted with intellect and the capacity to
rationalize things but at the end of the day, our growth and development and consequently
ourselves are truly products of our interaction with external reality.

Activity

“My Self Through the Years”

In a bond paper paste a picture of you when you were in elementary, in high school
and now that you are in college. Below the picture, list down your salient characteristics
that you remember.

My Elementary Self My High School Self My College Self

Analysis
Now that you have examined yourself in different stages, answer the following
questions:
1. What are the similarities can you observe in your “self” in the three stages of your
life?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
2. What are the differences can you observe in your “self” across the three stages of
your life?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
3. What do you think are the possible reasons of those differences in you in the three
stages of you life?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

Abstraction
WHAT IS THE SELF?
Characteristics of self Implication

Separate Self is distinct from other selves

Self-contained/independent Self in itself can exist
Consistent Self has personality that is enduring and
therefore can be expected to persist
Unitary Self is the center of all experiences and thoughts
that run through a certain person
Private Each person sorts out information, feelings and
emotions and thought processes within the self

Sociological Perspective of Self

SOCIOLOGY - is the scientific study of society, patterns of social relationship, social

interaction, and culture of our everyday life.

Social group - is describe as having Social Networks-refers to the ties or connections

two or more people interacting with
one another, sharing similar
characteristics, and whose members
identify themselves as part of the
group. (Family, Barkada, Classmates)
that link you to your social group. Connection
with your family is blood relation, barkada is
friendship, classmate is common interest to learn

Organic group-naturally occurring, Rational Groups-occur in modern societies, made

highly influenced by family, formed up of different people coming from different
through traditional societies, you join places are formed as a matter of shared interests,
this group because your family is also people join this group out of their own free will.
part of it

Stages of Development According to Mead

Language Gives the individual the capacity to express

himself or herself while at the same time
comprehending what other people are conveying
Play Individual’s role play or assume the perspective of
others
Game The individual takes into account the societal
rules and adheres to it.

Two Sides of Self

Me The product of what a person has learned while

interacting with others and with the environment.
Learned behaviors and attitudes and even
expectations comprise the “me”. The “me”
exercises social control over the self. It sees that
the rule are not broken.
 I The part of the self that is unsocialized and
spontaneous. It is individual’s response to the
community’s attitude toward the person. The “I”
presents impulses and drives. It enables him to
express individualism and creativity.

Application

Answer the following questions cogently but honestly in a piece of paper:

1. How would you describe yourself?

2. What are the influences of family in your development as an individual?
3. Think of a time when you felt you were your” true self”. What made you think you
were truly who you are during this time of your life?
4. Following the questions above, can you provide a time when you felt you were not
living your “true self”? Why did you have to live a life like that? What did you do
about it?
5. What social pressures help shape yourself? Would you have wanted it otherwise?
6. What aspects of yourself do you think may be changed or you would like to
change?

Closure

Thank you for seriously doing the activities in Lesson 2. Congratulations for a job
well done. For your next lesson please have an advance reading on The Self as Cognitive
Construct.