INTEGRATIVE PAPER 2: UNFOLDING THE SELF

TOPICS:
The Physical and Sexual Self
The Material Self
The Spiritual Self
The Political Self (Emerging Facets of the Self: Politics, Citizenship, and
the Self)
The Digital Self (Uncovering the Digital Citizenship)
 The Physical and Sexual Self
Physical characteristics such as the face, body structure, height, and
weight are important aspects of one's self. People should, however,
accept their physical abilities, physical value assessment, and beauty
perception. DO I APPEAR BEAUTIFUL? ARE PEOPLE ATTRACTIVE TO ME?
The physical self is not limited to what can be seen with the naked eye;
underneath the skin is a complex system of biological and chemical
processes that lead to one's physical features. Weight, height, skin
tone, hair color, and other physical features do not appear out of
nowhere. Genetic transformations and biological evolution by heredity
cause these to occur. Images of fashionably dressed women with
flawless skin, small waists, ample breasts, and fashionably protruding
behinds (of Kardashian and Beyonce fame) abound today, all weighing
no more than 59kg. They are unrealistic representations of perfection
that many of us will never be able to achieve genetically. The same can
be said for the 6-pack or ripped abs pushed in men's faces by
professional athletes and male fitness models, which are almost
impossible to attain without the use of illegal steroids. We're told,
however, that these unattainable bodies are natural, attractive, and
attainable. When we don't measure up, we grow a deep sense of
disappointment, which can show itself in a variety of ways. Adolescents
shape a sexual identity by exploring sexuality in the sense of identity
development. To investigate how gender stereotypes and sexual scripts
influence teenage sexual identity. To investigate the factors that
influence how teenagers make sexual choices and participate in sexual
behaviors. The response sequence of males and females is very similar.
Even if the simulation is continued, males return to normal, but females
will experience additional orgasms. Females have the physical ability to
have multiple orgasms without the need for a "rest time" as males do.
It's characterized by an intense rush of pleasure, a rapid rise in heart
rate and blood pressure, and pelvic muscle spasms that trigger female
reproductive organ contractions and male ejaculation. Heterosexual
behavior is the most common type of sociosexual behavior in which
only one male and one female are involved. It normally starts in
childhood and is inspired by curiosity, such as the desire to expose or
examine genitalia. And the most common diseases when having
intercourse is STD or Sexually Transmitted Disease The foundation for
this procedure is the shift in cervical mucus during ovulation. Cervical
mucus is thick, watery, and abundant during ovulation.
 The Material Self
the connection between one's self and their belongings the effect of
consumer culture on self-esteem and identity, W. James described the
components of self as 1. constituents; 2. feelings and emotions; and 3.
behavior of self-seeking in his book The Principles of Psychology. We
live in a world of bargains and shopping sprees. Promotions for product
purchases can be seen almost anywhere, even online. Advertisements
for products imply that they can make us feel better or look better.
What makes us want those products has everything to do with who we
are. What we want and what we already have are all connected to
ourselves. “We think of our belongings as extensions of ourselves. We
are our possessions and what we have.” – 1988, Belk. Our desire to
have and possess is linked to another part of our identity, the material
self. Specifically, our bodies, clothing, immediate family, and residence.
We are profoundly affected by these things because we spend so much
of ourselves in them. The deepest part of our physical selves. We are
inextricably linked to it and cannot imagine life without it. We work
hard to ensure that this body is in good working order. We also prefer
those pieces due to their value to us. “Any time we put an entity into
contact with the surface of our body, we invest that object into our
personal consciousness and make it a part of us” (Watson,2014). Our
clothing has a major impact on our mood. Our parents and siblings play
a significant role in our lives. What they become has an impact on us.
When a close relative die, we lose a piece of ourselves. We feel their
triumphs when their lives are successful. We are put to shame because
of their mistakes. We see our families as a carbon copy of ourselves.
Our first nest of selfhood is called HOME. In our homes, we often
record and date our life experiences. We are directly connected to our
house, which is an extension of ourselves. “We consider our belongings
to be a part of us. Belk (1988) says, "We are what we have and
possess." The process of self-identification began when we were young.
The value we place on our belongings diminishes as we get older.
Happiness, significant events, milestones, and people in our lives are all
things we value. The things we treasure reveal a lot about who we are,
our self-concept, our history, and even our future.
 The Spiritual Self
The spiritual self is on a quest to discover what it means to live. It is the
most personal, subjective aspect of one's self. It is linked to the
pleasure of being able to reason and discriminate, as well as one's
moral sense and conscience. Religion's expressions, values, and rituals
reveal the right to use oral sensibility and conscience. The term "whole
person" is generally correlated with the notion that humans have both
physical and psychological dimensions. However, there is a third
dimension of being human that is just as significant as the other two:
spirituality. The spiritual self, which emphasizes the mind-body-spirit
connection, is a personal life journey that is contextualized by belief in a
higher being, community, relationships, nature, and the exploration of
meaning in one's life. Spirituality is concerned with finding meaning and
reason in life that extends beyond the physical realm. People are
inevitably conditioned to make life-changing realizations as they grow
older, and these realizations aren't necessarily about visible events or
environmental experiences. Spirituality is concerned with a person's
relationships with others, nature, and sacredness and divinity.
Relationships are formed and maintained not only with humans, but
also with other life forms or with a higher being, in the search of and
application of meaning to one's life. The sacred and transcendent are
discussed in spirituality. Adherence to a religious system and rituals
associated with a religion in which there is consensus on what is
believed and practiced is referred to as religiosity. It refers to a person's
formal commitment to a religious sect's collection of beliefs, values,
and practices. It entails unique behaviors, prohibitions (what should not
be done and avoided), and membership in a group of people who hold
similar values and practices. However, as one grows older, he or she
starts to ask questions rooted in religious beliefs, gradually coming to
realizations and observations until his or her search for meaning and
transcendence transcends his or her religious beliefs. What are the
benefits of spirituality in one's life? The quest for sacredness and
transcendence may have beneficial effects on many people's lives. In
his or her life conditions, a spiritual individual finds peace and
contentment. Questions like "am I a good person?" and "how can I live
my life to the fullest?" are addressed by spirituality. Spirituality, above
all, enables us to become vigilant in the face of life's struggles and
roadblocks. What are some ways to improve spirituality? Self-
improvement is the only way to improve spirituality. Spiritual
intelligence can be enhanced by constant contemplation and
meditation on life choices and actions, as well as cultivating empathy
and compassion towards others and believing in a higher being. It's not
about seeking meaning in life; it's about applying meaning to life.
Religions, rituals, and other forms of spiritual expression all play a role
in communicating the spiritual self. The way the belief is manifested is
determined by the individual.
 The Political Self
The political self-examines how our social and economic environments
influence our mental wellbeing and well-being, as well as how
contemporary neuroscientific and psychodynamic science can both
contribute to and enrich our understanding of these issues. The Political
Self asserts that in fact, the conceptually distinct categories of "inner"
and "outer" constantly connect, shape, and inform one another. After
more than three centuries of Spanish colonization, the Philippines only
became independent in the 1980s. The Japanese, on the other hand,
did not appear until 1946. Foreign culture, values, language, and faith
have left a significant mark on our own, laying the groundwork for
modern Filipino identity and culture. Have the Filipinos formed a
distinct identity? Alternatively, we might still be living in the shadow of
our colonial allies. A person's national identity is shaped by several
factors other than race, ethnicity, and physical characteristics. The
importance of values and characteristics distinguishes each nationality.
Although being able to distinguish oneself from other nationalities and
point out flaws and errors, as well as the potential of harmony and
development, cannot always be a positive trait. By establishing a basis
of contemporary Filipino identity and community, foreign culture,
values, language, and religion have made a significant impact on us.
What are the values of the Filipinos? Filipino principles and psychology
are built on the concept of kapwa, or mutual inner self. An individual
who treats another as a kapwa shares a sense of identity and
consciousness with that ‘other.' The importance of social acceptance
and preserving social cohesion is stressed at both the individual and
community level. As a result, social acceptance and concern about what
others will think, say, or do have a significant impact on social conduct.
Filipinos show respect for their elders by greeting them with "Mano po"
and using the words "po" and "opo" in their conversations. It's
disrespectful or impolite to not address elderly people properly. They
are also known as kuya, ate, tito, tita, lolo, lola, manong, aling, and
other similar words. Family Ties – Regardless of age, we maintain close
ties with our families. We also enjoy getting together for birthdays,
holidays, and fiestas during the year. Families of aging parents or
grandparents do not have the choice of placing them in a nursing
home. We have a habit of smiling a lot, regardless of how we are
feeling on the inside. Be an engaged Filipino citizen by keeping up with
current events and participating in programs that promote the
country's growth and development. You become an active citizen when
you exercise your right to vote. Every Filipino person of legal age can
vote for leaders who are sincere in their desire to serve and care for the
Filipino people.
 The Digital Self
Everyone has a job identity. As a member of a social community, a
person creates characters and roles. According to this concept, the
term "self" refers to a set of identities that are graded in importance.
The greater an individual's devotion to a single identity, the more
significant that identity. The self-evaluation of one's worth as an
individual, as opposed to interpersonal or social roles. People are
becoming more involved online all over the world. The Internet now
serves more than half of the world's population. In the Philippines, the
number of media users increased by 12 million, or 25%, while mobile
social users increased by 13 million, or 32%. In comparison to the
previous year, these numbers are even higher. A smartphone is now
used by more than half of the global population. The internet, a global
set, link, or network of individual selves capable of finding speech that
transcends all cultural constraints, is at the most current and most
difficult stage of technologically driven changes in society. To project
himself/herself in an online world, one's role identification is critical.
Individuals' online identities enable them to participate in a virtual
community amidst the technological resources and platforms that
surround them and the online activities that they engage in. According
to Medinilla (2016), the Philippines has the fastest growing demand for
mobile phones in the ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS
(ASEAN), according to a survey from market research firm International
Data Corporation (IDC). A person with a "digital mindset" recognizes
technology's ability to democratize, scale, and accelerate any type of
interaction and action. Having a digital mindset means being able to
comprehend the full scope of the Network Era's effect, as well as the
skills and mindsets needed to deal with it calmly. You now have more
leverage over your online persona. It's impossible to have complete
leverage, but by establishing your own online presence, you'll still have
the upper hand. You can establish a consistent identity and lessen the
impact of issues that could deter potential employers or recruiters from
contacting you. How do you manage Digital Self? The first step toward
controlling your digital self and ensuring that you are aware of what is
being written about you online is simply Googling yourself and setting
up a Google alert for variations of your name. Even if you grew up in a
digital world, this is a difficult habit to develop, but it is crucial.