Learning Module for College A.Y.

2021-2022 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

1 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF
1st Semester of Academic Year 2021-2022
Module 4-Week 5

(Continuation of Chapter 2)

OBJECTIVES
Students must be able to:
a. Articulate what culture means to the self as a part of the society.
b. Analyze the anthropological and sociological constructs of the self.
c. Attribute self-understanding and behaviour to cultural factors.
d. Recognize and appreciate differences in cultural behaviors of the self, particularly from the Western and Asian contexts.
e. Explain how the modern world has changed our view of the self.
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THE SELF IN THE WESTERN AND ORIENTAL THOUGHT

It is important emphasize that self-construction is a form of cultural activity (Raeff, 2006). Since culture is very much
relative, the behavior of the self is very much dependent on its context. Hence, our cultural context and the activities inclusive
therein, to a greater extent, aids in the development of our self-understanding.
This relativism is very much evident in the Western and Eastern construction of the self, we will look first at the concept of
independent and interdependent societies, also known as individualism and collectivism. As Triandis (2001) explained, this
individualism-collectivism syndrome could be the most noteworthy difference among cultures.

Markus and Kitayama (1991), explain that construal’s of the self, of others, and of the relationship between the self and the
people around him may be even more powerful than previously suggested, and that their influence is clearly reflected in cultural
differences. These differences should be invoked in trying to understand the self-based on our cultural contexts.
Cultural variations affect to varying degrees how one thinks of himself as an individual entity and as a member of the
society. It is generally accepted that the conduct and thinking of individual differ in the Western and Eastern/Oriental
Perspective. The Western mindset is that of individualism while Easterners are known to be more inclusive, and collectivists.
In individualistic societies, the self is a separate entity in the community who decides based on his own logic, sans the
influence of the communal group to his decisions. The self here concentrates on self-actualization not minding the expectations
of the social group where the self is a part of.

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Learning Module for College A.Y. 2021-2022 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF
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This is why Marcel Mauss (as cited in Morris, 2014), explained that the Western world views man as disengaged from the
social matrix, individualistic at best. Disengagement though does not mean being detached from the values that the particular
society holds dear, because truth be told, it is actually what the society emphasizes.

In fact, the value that the Western world gives to independence has allowed the self to be able to live relying on his own
strength and fervor, recognizing that the individual is able to freely and intelligently decide for his own good. It is important to
note that this perspective is something that is instilled as part of the values that, that group holds dear.

In the Western context, when a person turns 18, the age when he is perceived to make mature decisions, he is given the
freedom to live on his own, be independent and orchestrate the life he wants to design for himself. Individuals having this
perspective are self-centric an idea separate from self-centeredness, which is based solely on improving one’s quality oof life on
his own volition, and not depending on the help the family, or a loved one can give. In this individualistic view of the self, people
are autonomous and are focused on achieving their personal goals over the goals of their in-group (Triandis, 2001).

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On the opposite side is the independent view of the self, also known as collectivism, which explains that a person sees
himself as an integral part of the communal group, be it his nuclear family, his friends, or even his co-workers. Hence, the
decisions of that person would cater not only to what he solely believes is right, but would ultimately consider his immediate
context. His view of self then is not separate from the values that his family holds dear.

Close family ties are significantly valued in the Asian context. In the Philippines in particular, a family member discusses
even his most personal decisions with his family and even his friends before jumping into choices which would solely affect
himself and not the people around him. This is something that Western societies may not easily understand. It would obviously
be a lot to take in for people who have lived orchestrating their lives their own way.

The views of the self are right in their own context. It is the valuing of the cultural worldview that affects man’s perspective
of himself. When all things fail, we will always return to the principles and the way foundation f our community, of our nation,
and of ourselves, all of which are embedded in our culture. Thus, as Ferrante (2011) explains, culture serves as the blueprint that
guides, and in some cases, even determines the behavior of the nation as a whole, and in the micro-level, affects the perspective
and decisions of man for himself.

Reference:
Introspection: Understanding the Self (Erland De Vera Palean……et.al.,)

NAME:
COURSE/YEAR:
Activity 3: (Write your answers below).
Directions: Answer the following questions. (5 Points each)

1. Do you think living independently at the age of 18 would help you more in your self-discovery and understanding?
2. How is your family influential in your decision making?

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Learning Module for College A.Y. 2021-2022 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF
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Prepared by: VANESA D. MANZON

Learning Module for College A.Y. 2021-2022 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF
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Prepared by: VANESA D. MANZON