Unfolding the Social Self

GEUS WEEK 3

This module focuses on the social aspects of the self. As social beings, individuals
interact with others and relate themselves to other people. Social institutions and
environments significantly contribute to one’s identity and self-development. Among
millenial learners (example is parents), technology and the internet have significantly
influenced their social environments and, consequently, their sense of self. In this module,
the cultural, digital, and economic aspects of one’s life and how they influence a person’s
social self will be put to light. This module aims to provide learners with a deeper
understanding of themselves through a socio-cultural perspective.

• Section 1: The Social Self

• Section 2: The Socio-Digital Self
• Section 3: The Material/Economic Self

Section 1: The Social Self

This section discusses the social and environmental factors that shape oneself. This
included environmental systems, cultural orientations, and other social factors that play a
crucial role to one’s self.

• The Self and Its Social Agency

• Human development is largely influenced by membership in crucial
social groups that shape various aspects of the self; from belief
systems, values orientation, and behavior.
• At the beginning of life, one already belongs to a social group: his/her
family. It is the most pervading influential social group that impacts the
self in its entire course of development. The views one holds about
the world, values upheld in making choices and decisions, and the
habits and persistent behavior one carries have been formed in the
context of one’s family and home environment.
• Next to family, schools and the general academic environment
(schools, church, circle) form a significant part of the social self.
Worldviews expand as one gets exposed to more people in different
social learning environment. Knowledge and social skills gained from
mentors, relatives, and peers (circle of friends) contribute to how the
social self is harnessed.
 • Aside from one’s family and school environments, communities also
shape one’s social self to a large extent.
• The social self inevitably changes as one accommodates and
eventually assimilates beliefs promoted by the society as he/she
thinks, appreciates, and behaves according to standards set by micro
and macrosystems.

(dito papasok influence ng peer, usually is negative effect ng peers, pero kung
matibay ang influence ng family at matibay ang principles na nakaentail/binigay
sayo ng church, close friends, ay hindi ka basta maiinfluencesahan ng
environment. Sila dapat naiinfluence mo, hindi ka dapat magpapadala. But you
need to be with the community, only those things that will add good vibes to
you.)

• Culture
• “Culture is the complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, law,
art moral, custom, and other capabilities and habits acquired by man
as a member of society.” (Edward Tylor, 1871)

• To further understand the nature of culture and its influences on oneself, the
following models illustrate how culture functions in relation to one’s social self.
• Biological Systems Theory
• UrieBronfenbenner’s (1935) Biological Systems of Development explains an
individual’s social development, using biological, environmental, and ecological
lenses.

Individualism-Collectivism Model
• Another model that highlights the impact of culture to the self is the Individualism-
Collectivism model proposed by Hazel Markus and Shinobu Kitayama (1991).

• According to the model, individualism as an orientation focuses on

one’s individual attributes and personal distinctiveness. People who
are individualistic are observed to be competitive and self-reliant (yung
nag-iisa). On the other hand, the collectivist orientation values
relationships and harmony. People who are collectivistic prioritize
interests to maintain healthy relationships.
•I vs. Me
• One’s behavior when he or she is alone differs from his or her behavior
when he or she is with others.

• This is what Herbert Mead (1934) posited in his theory of the social self.
He posited that the self is divided into 2 parts: the I which is known as
the unsocialized self, and the Me which is known as the socialized self.
(ego is the latin word for I; me is yung pakikibagay)

• The I is manifested when one acts naturally for his/her own motivations
and not because of others. On the other hand, the Me is the awareness
of how others expect one to behave. This is also known as the social
self.
• These different models present ideas on the process of the self’s social
development. Studying these models helps in understanding oneself and other
people. It is not ideal, however, to generalize a certain culture based on these
models.
Section 2: The Socio-Digital Self

This section examines the role of technology and the internet in shaping an individual’s
social self, with emphasis on the use of social media platform and membership in virtual
communities. This section highlights the crucial role of the internet in forming the self and
identity of millenial learners.

• The Self in the Age of Technology

• Social media is defined as the websites and applications that make
it easier to create and share information, ideas, and interests. It also
allows people to create other forms of self-expression via virtual
communities and networks.
• Through the use of social media, people may act differently since
interaction in social media do not happen face-to-face and there is no
physical presence required. This is called online
disembodiment. With this, people are less likely to display their real
“selves” to others, especially to strangers.
• Digital Identity
• People generally have role identities. These are the characters and
roles an individual creates as a member of a particular social group.
Following this definition, “self” is composed of identities ranked by
importance. The greater the commitment of an individual to a
particular identity, the greater the importance of this identity.
• In an online environment, one’s role identity is vitally important in order
for him/her to project himself/herself in the said environment. Amidst
the technological tools and channels surrounding individuals and
online activities that people engage in, one’s online identity enables
him/her to participate in a virtual society.
• However, participation in virtual environments may entail changes that
may affect a person’s sense of self. In some cases, people present
themselves differently in online interactions as compared to the face-
to-face interactions they engage in.
• Online Disinhibition Effect
• When people adopt fake identities, they are likely to engage in
behaviors that they would not do in real life interactions, known
as online disinhibition.
• There are 2 main categories of behaviors that fall under online
disinhibition:
1. Benign disinhibition. It occurs when people tend to self-
disclose more on the internet than they would in real life or
go out of their way to help someone or show kindness.
 2. Toxic disinhibition. People take part of this when they use
rude language, bully or threaten others on online platforms,
and go to websites with contents of violence, crime, and
pornography.
• Managing Responsible Online Behavior
• How can one behave responsibly online? The following are some
suggestions:
1. Do not post or send anything that will embarrass you.
2. Avoid posting statements when experiencing strong emotions.
3. Do not hang out with the “wrong crowd” online.
4. Be careful with oversharing, especially confidential information
that may be used irresponsibly.
5. Respect other people in the online community.

Section 3: The Material/Economic Self

This section focuses on how people maintain extensions of themselves through material
possessions and maintenance of particular lifestyles. In the context of what the society
values as needs and wants, this section discusses how an individual acquires goods, the
factors that shape his/her economic decisions, and what these things say about one’s
sense of self.

• People are likely to purchase products that can relate to their personality.
Material possessions signify some aspects of one’s sense of self and identity.
• Possessions, tell a lot about their owners. Thus, one’s sense of self and identity
is influential on how an individual chooses to purchase his/her wants and how
he/she makes economic decisions that will address his/her personal and social
needs
• The decisions that go into the purchase of items and certain services is
dependent on a number of factors, including financial constraints, availability of
items and services, and the influence of family and friends.
• However, the most important factor is determining whether these items and
services fall under:
• Wants. Synonymous with luxuries. People buy them for reasons that
do not warrant necessity.
• Needs. These are important for survival. Food, clothing, and shelter
are basic needs so people purchase them out of necessity.
• In the process of acquiring material goods, people generally consider 2 things:
• Utility. Concerned with how things serve a practical purpose.
 • Significance. Concerned with the meaning assigned to the object. It
is also concerned with how objects become powerful symbols or icons
of habit and ritual which can be quite separate from their primary
function.

• To further understand the term significance, Roland Barthes studied the

concept of semiology or the study of signs. According to him, it is through
objects that people assert their identities. This idea suggests that objects, aside
from contributing to how an individual identifies himself/herself, also signify
relationships of people with others based on what they possess.
• The possession of material things also indicates one’s status in the society.
These personal choices build one’s material and economic self which is an
extension of his/her social identity.