Name________________________________Program & Year__________________Score____________

Subject: Understanding the Self Teacher: Louella May V. Plaza Date: Nov., 2021
Type of Activity:
Drawing out ⎕ Concept Notes ⎕ Laboratory
MODULE⎕ 1 LESSON ⎕2Quiz ⎕ Formative
Individual ⎕ Summative
the best
in you!
⎕ Exercise/Drill ⎕ Art/Drawing ⎕ Pair/Group ⎕ Others, specify

MODULE 1: THE MATERIAL/ECONOMIC SELF

Topic 1 : Psychological/Sociological Consumption

Learning Outcomes : At the end of the learning module, the student is expected to:
(1.) Explain why it is essential to understand the material/economic self;
(2.) Describe and discuss identity and consumer culture;
(3.) Compare and contrast consumption and production.

Reference(s) : Otig V.S., Gallinero, W. B., Bataga, N. U., Salado, F. B. (2018). A

holitic approach in understanding The Self. Mutya Publishing House, Inc.

Concept/Digest : ( Read and study the concept, you can even add more
information. Just search in the Google Website for each topic)

In this age of digital technology, everything in our society is based upon the idea that consumption
should be as easy as possible. We say, “Money makes the world go round.” We take instantaneous loans using our
cellphones, and not many minutes of our lives pass by without some kind of commercial message barraging our
consciousness. These ads carry the message that we become happy by buying, buying, buying. Often, we even
consume just for the sake of consuming. Shopping has become leisure and a way to pass time. Our homes and our
lives are more than full of things, stuff, gadgets, widgets, devices, etcetera. Consequently, our consumption also
contributes to our garbage problems, pollution, and the depletion of our natural resources.

ACTIVITY

Instructions 1: Suppose you won a cash prize of P10,000.00 but with one condition: to spend the said amount in
only one day or the prize would be forfeited. What are the things that you will buy? Enumerate them below with
approximated prices.

Amount
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Item
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ANALYSIS

Focus Activity: “Reflect”

“ I HAVE, THEREFORE I AM”

Procedures:
Explain the following:

1. Why do you choose to have or not have hair color, short or long hair?
2. What food do you like to eat?
3. What type of wardrobes do you like to wear?
 4. What kind of status do you posts on social media?

ABSTRACTION

CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION

“Consume” is defined as “use up, to spend wastefully, to destroy” (Gusdorf, 1978). The definition shows
that consumption has a negative connotation. There is, however, a positive side to consumption that is often
neglected.

Behind consumption, there is production. Consumers keep companies alive. These companies pay people
whose earnings put food on the table. Such is the pattern of consumption. Thus, it cannot be denied that
consumption is important.

Consumers are often portrayed as “victims”, exploited by greedy companies. However, you should take
note that every person has “free will.” Therefore, choices are important. As a consumer, free will comes with
responsibility and obligation. Conscious consumption is about practicing responsible buying habits.

PSYCHOLOGICAL/SOCIOLOGICAL CONSUMPTION

For many people these days (with the younger generation as the vulnerable group) happiness seems
attached to buying something. Consumption has become an addiction. Many people have forgotten there are things
in life that can bring true and lasting happiness, such as spending time with family and/or friends; to have “me”
time; enjoy nature; to read, etcetera.

Mach (1993, p. 7) argued that identity is a symbolic idea. It is an image we build for ourselves through
social interaction. Thus, a person’s identity is dynamic and context-dependent. It is improved through
communication with others and through different ways that a person interacts within the cultural atmosphere and
social relations.

Factors that affect identity:

 Social relations of power, and

 Symbolic image of the world.

“Identity” as we know it is now mainly derived from the work of psychologist Erik Erikson in the 1950’s.
Identity may refer to:

a. A social category defined by membership rules, characteristics attributes, or expected behaviors.

b. Socially distinguishing features that an individual takes pride in having. (Fearon, 1999)

Meanwhile, studies have observed that every waking moment in a modern lifestyle has become a cycle of
“alternating time-space for work and time-space for consumption” (Sassatelli, R, 2007, p. 3). Slater (1997)
outlined some main features and characters in consumer culture:
1. Consumer culture is a culture of consumption.
2. Consumer culture is the culture of market society.
3. Consumer culture is universal and impersonal.
4. Consumer culture identifies freedom with private choice and life.
5. Consumer needs are insatiable and unlimited.
6. Consumer culture is a privileged medium for building personal identity and status.

As previously mentioned, consumerism is one of the strongest forces affecting modern people’s lives. The
term consumerism does not simply mean the constant barrage and intrusion of ads in our lives, but everything that
is connected to the modern society’s idea that to be happier and more successful, we have to buy, buy and buy. We
slip into a cycle of wanting more things – to get that new iPhone model, get the latest gadget, wear the trendiest
clothes, hang out in places where “cool” people go, etcetera. The pursuit of these things takes up our time, energy,
and the money we do not have. We also tend to compare ourselves with some other people. Social media
reinforces this tendency. Comparing ourselves with others (wanting to be like them or be in their position) will
lead us to constantly feeling dissatisfied and never happy with what we have. This is also what consumerism wants
because it makes people active consumers on a regular basis. Thus, consumerism not only affects our behavior; it
also affects our thinking process.

THE PROBLEM WITH CONSUMERISM

1. It is intrusive.
2. It is manipulative.
3. It cannot provide many of the things that are important to us.
4. It restricts our choices and lives.
5. It affects our worldviews and characters.
6. It is unsustainable.

Consumerism is intrinsically woven into the fabric of modern society. Society needs a cultural shift to
move away from the culture of consumerism. Social change does not happen overnight, therefore, it is best to take
immediate steps in your own life to release yourself from the grip of consumerism.
1. Exercise intellectual independence. Be aware of how consumerism controls your life. Try to defend
yourself from unwanted external pressures. Ignore advertising. Think for yourself. Question all information
given to you, and start looking for information yourself.

2. Consume less, live more. Stop and think about the influences of consumerism in your life. Then, think
about what really matters to you and how you want to live it. Strive to live the life you want, not how
others think you ought to live.

APPLICATION

A. Instruction: Write TRUE if the statement is correct, and FALSE if it is incorrect. Write your answer on
the space provided.

_________1. Consumption has a negative connotation; however, its positive side is often neglected.
_________2. Consumers are often portrayed as “victims” exploited by companies, however, every person has
“free will”
_________3. Consumption would never become an addiction.
_________4. Shopping nowadays has turned into a lifestyle for most people.
_________5. Free will is not important when it comes to shopping.
_________6. Conscious consumption is about practicing buying habits regardless of price and relevance.
_________7. Consumption is important because of production.
_________8. Consumer culture is a medium for building persona identity and status.
_________9. Consumerism is one of the strongest forces affecting modern people’s lives, specifically their
behaviors and thinking processes.
________10. Consumerism does not restrict our choices and lives.

1. What is your purpose for going shopping?

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2. Have you tried online shopping? If yes, what makes it different from shopping in malls? If no, why?
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3. What particular item do you usually buy? Why?
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RUBRIC FOR MAKING A SHORT ESSAY

Advance (5) Developing (3) Emerging (1) Score

Exceptionally well- Well-presented and Content is sound and

presented and argued; ideas are solid; ideas are present
Content argued; ideas are detailed, developed and but not particularly
detailed, well- supported with developed or supported;
developed. evidence and details, some evidence, but
mostly specific. usually of a generalized
nature.

Organization is Organization is Organization is confused

coherent, unified coherent and unified and fragmented in
Organizatio and effective in overall in support of the support of the essay’s
n support of the paper’s purpose/ plan, purpose/ plan and
paper’s purpose but is ineffective at demonstrates a lack of
times and may structure or coherence
demonstrate abrupt or that negatively affects
weak transitions readability.
between ideas or
paragraphs.

Shows a pattern of errors

in spelling, grammar,
Mechanics Excellent grammar, A few errors in
and syntax. Could also
spelling, and grammar, spelling, and
be a sign of lack of
syntax. syntax but not many.
proof-reading.

PROCESS OF SUBMISSION:

1. The module after completion of answers must be submitted at the google classroom code of your course subject.
2. Filename of the submitted module must be in a (LAST NAME, FIRST NAME) format.
3. Deadline of submission is on November , 2021.