GEC101 UNPACKING THE SELF

Material
Self
Unpacking the Self
 QUESTION
What was the last thing you bought for yourself?
Why did you buy it?
How did your purchase make you feel?
 Why do
we shop?
POLITICAL STANDPOINT

We relate to each other through consumerism,

either by buying (for ourselves or others) or
selling (ourselves or our products)
 Why do
we shop?
PSYCHOLOGICAL STANDPOINT

Our purchases are not just bought for their

utility, but for their effects on our wellbeing.
THE MATERIAL SELF according to William James

'Me' and 'Mine' Value of Possession

01 The material self extends beyond our

sense of self to include the things we
call 'mine'
02 The possession is not valued for what
it provides, but because they become
a part of us (e.g., collections, hoarded
objects)
'Me' and 'Mine'
According to William James, the material self extends
beyond our sense of self to include the things we call
'mine'

Sense of ownership Emotional investment Enhancing & maintaining

Rather than the physical Depending on our reactions If we lavish it with attention and
entities themselves, it is our when these objects are labor to enhance or maintain it, it
sense of ownership which praised or attacked, they are is likely part of our material self
makes them 'mine' and 'ours' likely to be part of the self
THE MATERIAL SELF according to William James

'Me' and 'Mine' Value of Possession

01 The material self extends beyond our

sense of self to include the things we
call 'mine'
02 The possession is not valued for what
it provides, but because they become
a part of us (e.g., collections, hoarded
objects)
Symbolic function
Material objects help people define
themselves, or define how they
wish to be regarded
Extend the sense of
time
Material objects also reflect a
desire to be remembered even
after death, thus showing our
quest for immortality
 PONDER
Our possessions validate our identity: at least, externally.
Consumerism
the concept that an ever-expanding consumption
of goods is advantageous to the economy
 Positive effects
10

More industrial production

A higher growth rate in the economy
More goods and services are available
More advertising since goods produced need to be
sold
Increased production results in more employment
opportunities
A variety of goods and services to choose from
MARKETING PLAN 2020

More comforts for better lifestyle

Negative effects
More industrial production
A higher growth rate in the economy
More goods and services are available
More advertising since goods produced need to be
sold
Increased production results in more employment
opportunities
A variety of goods and services to choose from
More comforts for better lifestyle
 PONDER
If you are what you buy, then does that mean you can influence
who you will become?
Individual
activity
Choose one material thing that you bought.
Take a picture of it and post it in our group,
completing the following caption:

"If I am what I buy, then I am _________."

Thank you!
Questions? Clarifications?
Let me know!