MANDREZA, DONA S.

TCIE 1-1
UNDERSTANDING THE SELF
SIR RODEL DAVID HALIM

Managing The Material Self

The connection of the self to one’s possessions has been an interest of the social sciences, particularly anthropology and
psychology.
Particularly in cultural anthropology, the way culture and groups has given meaning to things has been of interest.
There were also studies on how one object gains status as a “prestige good’ or something that give a perception that the
owner has more prestige. Ex. some societies may consider having a car as a sign of wealth, others would see having more
lands or livestock.
Another case would be how an object becomes part of a family’s history, like necklace passed down to the eldest child of each
generation.

The Material Self

William James
• One of the first to describe the self as the totality of everything that one calls his or hers, which included what he
called the “material self”.
• This material self focuses more on the body, our clothes and belongings, our immediate family, as well as the place we
call home.

Russell Belk
• Working from this work and ideas of French philosopher, Jean-Paul Sartre, Russell Belk further researched on the
material self and theorized on how objects become extensions of ourselves or our identities. These objects extend
ourselves in space and time.
• A tool helps double our strength, a weapon extends our reach, a uniform helps us relate with a group, or a t-shirt can
remind us of our own travels.

Jean-Paul Sartre
• He noted three ways which we connect with objects:
1. through controlling an object , like learning to ride a bike or finally teaching your dog a trick that you want him/her
to do. We also connect through using objects to control others, like giving gifts or using bribes (Belk 1988).
2. Through either creating or buying it (Belk 1988). Because you spend blood and sweat on a project, for example, you
tend to give it more importance that having a good grade for it affects you emotionally more than a project you
just haphazardly made.

Spending a lot of money on something would also make you care for it more, like when someone wants to borrow
your custom-made bike or car and you keep an eye on them in case they scratch it.

• However, recent culture and economy have shifted our focus from production to consumption (Hurson 2013). In
sociological perspectives, society affects our concept of self and this shift of focus to production had us consuming
more and producing less for ourselves.
Ex. buying cabinets and not make one buying 3-in-1 coffees instead of mixing it on our own
• That might be a reason why most people find it relaxing or fulfilling to construct things on their own.
3. knowing about something creates a connection between you and that object of your interest (Belk 1998).
A simple example is investing your time to study or even master something about engineering, biology, art, music
or history, and in time, you might be called an engineer, a biologist, an artist, a musician, or a historian, which will be
part of your identity.
Another one is knowing about a person romantically and in a more intimate level that he/she becomes a part of you.

In 1992, Richins and Dawson developed the Material Values Scale (MVS) to measure materialism in consumers. In
recent years, a number of studies have used the MVS to examine materialism as a facet of consumer behavior.

Material Values Scale

Success,
I admire people who own expensive homes, cars. and clothes.
Some of the most important achievements in life include acquiring material possessions.
I don't place much emphasis on the amount of material objects people own as a sign of success.”
The things I own say a lot about how well I'm doing in life.
I like to own things that impress people.
I don't pay much attention to the material objects other people own."
 MANDREZA, DONA S.
TCIE 1-1
UNDERSTANDING THE SELF
SIR RODEL DAVID HALIM

Centrality:
I usually buy only the things I need
I try to Keep my life simple. as far as possessions are concerned”
The things I own aren't all that important to me.”
I enjoy spending money on things that aren't practical
Buying things gives me a lot of pleasure.
I like a tot of luxury in my life.
I put less emphasis on material things than most people 1 Know.”
Happiness:
I have all the things 1 realty need to enjoy lite.”
My life would be better if I owned certain things.”
I wouldn’t be any happier if I owned nicer things.”
I'd be happier if I could afford to buy more things.
It sometimes bothers me quite a bit that I can't afford to buy all the things I'd like.

Several psychological studies support that materialism is inversely related to self-esteem. Meaning, it is more likely that a
materialistic person is using objects to compensate for his/her low self-esteem or something that is lacking in his/her personal
life, like a good relationship with family, inability to make friends or a romantic relationship, and the like (Christopher and
Schenker 2004; Jarrett 2013). The set-up might be because he/she is more emotionally connected to objects than people, or
he/she is using material objects to gain acceptance in a circle of people.

Furthermore, a study of Richins (1994) found that highly materialistic people put value on their belongings for their use,
especially as a boost for social status, while less materialistic people value their possession for the joy and comfort that
they get from these things (Christopher and Schenker 2004).

We can therefore argue that a person who uses objects to gain acceptance and privilege are also more likely to ride current
trends.

Our perspective and connection with objects develop through time, like a child playing with a ball then transitioning to ball
games and probably winning formal competitions.

Self and Objects Through Life Stages

The connection of self to the material world develops and changes over time. Studies showed that, even with cultural
differences, there seems to be a similar experience in the development of the material self throughout the life of a person.

According to Belk (1988) there could be four stages of this development:

1. the infant distinguishes self from environment;
2. the infant distinguishes self from others;
3. possessions help adolescents and adults manage their identities; and
4. possessions help the old persons have a sense of continuity and preparation for death.

Further explained by Jarrett (2013), our relationship with the material world starts with the idea that whoever gets something
first is its owner. “finders keepers”, so to speak. It is when a child finds a toy and does not want to let go of it, or another
baby takes the toy and the first one throws a tantrum because it was taken from him or her.

These objects were seen as “transitional objects” which aims to develop the skills of a child toward more independence.
Studies show that the more parents are engaged in parenting, the less the child to become attached or dependent on these
things (Jarrett 2013).

In adolescents, the attachment to objects increasingly depends on who people are, or how they want to be perceived,
especially by their peers. Various studies state that the lower the self-esteem, the more a person seems to acquire and/or get
attached to more objects, and vice versa.
 MANDREZA, DONA S.
TCIE 1-1
UNDERSTANDING THE SELF
SIR RODEL DAVID HALIM

Also, teens give more importance to having similar items with their peers as a sense of shared identity as well as an attempt
to be different from their parents (Jarrett 2013).

Young people seems to value possessions based on the following:

1. “emotional attachment”, like the happiness that you get from it;
2. “social meaning” especially the ability of the object to attract people or make you feel that you belong; and
3. “personal association” or how an object is related to our concept of self, like buying an eight note necklace because
you think you are a musician.

The adult self continues to extend to more objects as the needs as well as the means to acquire changes. Ex. a teenager
who was interested in drag race cars before, but now has become a father would rather go for a more utilitarian type.

The material self also gets on a more specific interest. You may find that later in life that you will become more interested in
power tools or kitchenware or appliances as you get older, for example.

It must be noted that the acquisition and attachment to object still depend on who we think we are or who we want to be
perceived by others (Jarrett 2013)

Old age brings another aspect to the relationship between the owner and the object. The object now becomes a vessel of
memory, like a camera you used to bring in your travels, a source of comfort as well as an achievement, like trophy or diploma,
and it becomes a sort of legacy for the future, like your house and lot that you will pass on to your children.

Ideas on Managing Resources

Our current economic system is based on monetary exchanges and being a consumer necessitates having cash. Having some
money then became a part of our “self” as we engage in economic activities.

However, how finances are handled can make or break a person, an organization, a company, and even a family. I

1. Keep your perspective in check. The love of money, not the money itself, causes the problem. Money is important
but it should be perceived as a means to a better end. You should not sacrifice short-term satisfaction and
happiness for a longterm fulfillment and joy.
2. Have money, do not just pretend. Or as others say, “The goal is to be rich, not to look rich.” In a lot of instances,
it is appearance that we perceived first. But, pretension can only go so much. Having your own money actually lets
you buy what you want and what you need. You will have a higher probability of not loaning in case of emergency
and you will not be in a bad debt trying to please other people.
3. Have your own goal, take your own time. Have your goal for both short-term (3 months to 1 year) or long-term
(more than a year). Do not just think of something to buy, but also about something to improve your financial
status. Then, keep that goal in mind instead of comparing yourself with others as we all have different experiences
including backgrounds. Do not chase after others, build your own.
4. Budget, budget, budget. A lot of people do not like the word “budget” because it sounds restrictive, but it is not.
When you have a budget, you have a) realistic idea of what you can spend on whatever you want, and b) a peace
of mind that you have at least taken care of the important needs that you have to pay for. Start by making a list
of your common expense for a month and the estimate money you spend on them. Also, include how much money
you are willing to save or invest. Then, make the necessary adjustments.
Ex.

25%
50%
25%
Personal Use Savings Utilities
 MANDREZA, DONA S.
TCIE 1-1
UNDERSTANDING THE SELF
SIR RODEL DAVID HALIM

5. Save in order to be safe. Having a savings in the bank provides you a security incase of emergencies. Others may have
or opt for a separate emergency and savings as the savings account can be reserved for a long-term project, like a
house. You must not use your savings until emergency comes or until you can finally use it to purchase a long-term
goal.
6. Keep your spending habits in check.
✓ Make a list when going to the grocery/mall and prioritize buying those things in your list before you buy anything
else when you have the spare money.
✓ Pay in cash. Minimize the use of your credit or debit card. As a lot of financial experts usually advice, if you
cannot pay it in cash, it is not yet within your budget or financial capacity. At least wait when you can afford
it.
✓ Wait for a day or a week before you buy something, because you might just be enticed at the moment or
pressured by peers or trends that you want to buy something now, but in reality, it is something you do not
really need.
✓ Save first before you spend, not spend before saving what is left. That way, you save a bigger amount and you
get a more realistic budget for all your expenses.
✓ You can reward yourself without being too extravagant or overextending your budget. Go watch the movies,
buy branded clothes, drink coffee at a high-end coffee shop, buy new upgrades for your ride, and so on, as long
as you keep those things within the abovementioned premises.
7. Increase income flow. Sometimes the budget can be too tight or the money in the bank is not growing enough.
Therefore, you must find legal ways to increase your income. Any good means to add to your allowance or current
income. Just also be sure that you still have time for yourself, your studies, and your family.
8. Good debt vs. bad debt. Ideally, we must get out of debt first before we can continue to make our money grow. It is
about having a good record and personal integrity. However, there are also things that we can call good debts.
▪ Bad debts – those we acquired but do not necessarily need and/or do not increase our financial capabilities
▪ Good debts – those we acquire and will increase our financial capabilities.
Remember, installments are still debts, because you are still providing payments. It is best if you can cash it in. Also,
when you make money, settle your debts first. It is also someone else’s efforts as well as future on the line that they
sacrificed for you, so be grateful.
9. Make your money grow. Increasing your financial capabilities takes time and honest work. But, there are means of
increasing your income wherein, after putting the necessary initial work, the money will grow on its own and will yield
profit higher than just being in a bank. This is through passive income sources or investments like stocks exchange,
mutual funds, bonds, royalties and real estate
✓ engage only in a business that you understand;
✓ do not engage in quick-money pyramid schemes;
✓ diversify, do not invest all your money in one place or one type of business, but do not also scatter them too
thinly. Invest in around three for a start.
10. Protect the future. Following the plan of action, you will reach a time when you have a steady flow of income, both
from your work and your investments. You know how to budget things, so you can address your needs and enjoy
some luxury. You also have savings or emergency account, just in case something really bad happens, but your
developing family or lifestyle might render that emergency account incapable of covering them all. Thus, you need to
have insurance for your health in case you have an accident or a sickness – a life-insurance, so that your family can
receive a large financial aid in case you leave them in this life unexpectedly, and an insurance or plan for your assets
or belongings.
Again, research is necessary to avoid falling for fake insurances. Remember that you are doing this mainly for your
family, so that they will not be financially burdened in case something happens to you.
11. Your greatest investment is still yourself. The steps are all about keeping you safe and helping you grow financially.
The mastermind behind all of these is you. Therefore, you must never stop learning and improving yourself, your skills,
and your passions among others. The more you know, the more opportunities you can see as well as traps to avoid.
Health is also one of the greatest wealth one can have, so have time to eat right and exercise.
12. Enjoy life no matter what. Enjoy your profits, keep a good relationship with your family, have a healthy and romantic
relationship, serve the community, take a hobby, engage in arts or sports, plant a tree, or adopt a stray pet.

People lived meaningful lives prior to this cash-oriented economy and we still can as long as we keep a healthy
perspective on how we relate ourselves to the material world.