What is the Physical Self?

 Body- the tangible aspect of the person that can be directly observed and examined.
It includes:
- Sex - Weight
- Height - Complexion
 It does not include characteristics that are internal to the self such as kindness, generosity,
loyalty, and etc.

Factors of Affecting the Physical Self

1.) Biological Factors
• Scientific

 Heredity- the transmission of traits from parents to offspring.

- Genes- basic unit of heredity; Genotype and Phenotype
- 23 pairs of chromosomes- each person has 223 pairs of chromosomes. The 23 rd pair is the sex
chromosome.
- XY- Male
- XX- Female
- Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)
 Maturation- completion of growth of a genetic character within an organism.

2.) Environmental Factors

• Social Networks- Family and Friends
• Cultural Practices- what characteristics one must have to deemed “beautiful?”
• Societal expectations
-Males are expected to have a muscular built and to act tough.
- Females are expected to have an hourglass-shaped body and to act femininely.
Appearance
It is a blessing and a curse.
If one belongs to which society deemed as “beautiful”, one has:
• Advantages
- Attention
 - Friends
- Work

If one does not belong to which society deemed as “beautiful”, one has:
• Disadvantages
- Prone to bullying

Appearance (As Asset and Liability)

• Issue on privacy and security
- Stalkers
- Bashers
- Men and women are sexually objectified