GENERAL EDUCATION 1- UNDERSTANDING THE SELF DARRELL P.

LOMEDA,
Instructor

MODULE 1- INTRODUCTION TO UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

Intended learning outcomes

At the end of this section, you are expected to:

1. Determine the different factors that contribute to one’s being
2. Evaluate the impact of these factors through self-appraisal

This module discusses the fundamental concepts and principles of the self. It covers the different
factors that contribute to one’s being, the philosophical and theoretical perspectives about the self
across generations, as well as the explanations of different fields of sciences about self and identity.

Social, Environmental, and other Life Factors (S.E.L.F.)

This part highlights the journey of understanding the self in terms of social, environmental, biological and other
life factors contributive to the development of the self.

An Overview of Self/Identity
The self is a topic that is often talked about but largely goes unnoticed. The consciousness of the existence of the
self has been almost automatic or reflexive. Thus, people are almost unaware of it that in our everyday lives, we are
constantly acknowledging it. Scholars in different fields have attempted to explain several issues and controversies
about the dimensionality of the self.

⓿ Nature vs. Nurture

The natural basis of the self is anchored on biology and the human traits serve as a blueprint of the self and predisposes
one to a certain self- expression (e.g. attitude, behavior, tendencies etc.). Genetics, for example, contribute so much
information about the descriptions of the self.
On the other side, meanwhile, argues that the self should be principally viewed as the outcome of various nurturing
factors in the context of one’s life. Social sciences have provided a number of insights and explanations about the self
both on the micro and macro levels. Different sciences stress how group life affects an individual’s behavior and attitude.
While the issue about the predominance of either nature or nurture are still unresolved, one can safely assume that the
self is a product of nature and nurture,

⓿Identity and Self

The terms “self” and “identity” have been loosely interchanged in various literature. Many people believe that there is a
very thin conceptual and functional distinction between the two concepts and thus perceive them as synonymous.
According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the term Identity (noun)- the qualities, beliefs, etc., that make a particular
person or group different from others…or the distinguishing character or personality of an individual.
The term Self (noun) refers to “the person that someone normally or truly is…or the entire person of the individual.” The
two definitions provided suggest that the demarcation that separates the two fall on the social representation of the
term.
Identity distinguishes or compares from one another while the Self refers to the total characteristics or qualities of a
person both known and unknown to others.

⓿ Dimensionalities of the Self/Identity

1. Social Factor- refers to the influences of significant people in one’s life. It primarily includes the family in which
most of the basic attitudinal and behavioral attributes of the individuals are shaped. It is referred to as nursery
of human nature. From this group, individual does not only acquire biological characteristics by reason of
heredity but also acquire certain behaviors and characters.
2. Personality- is the individual patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving. No two people have an identical
personality thus every individual is unique. They may have commonalities but still possess an identity of his or
her own.
3. Environmental Factor- it includes the physical and communal elements present in the everyday surroundings,
and are invariably dealt with by individuals in a specific geographic region or area. (climate and temperature,
forms of lands, communication etc.)
 4. Hereditary Factor/Hereditary- is a biological process by which certain traits and characteristics are passed from
one generation to another. Heredity can be referred to the non- negotiable factor.
5. Person-volition factor- the most controversial factors of identity, it refers to the inclination of a person to form
and construct a specific identity that will set him apart from others. It emanates from within the mentality of an
individual, brought about by the aggregated social-life experiences. They are considered deviant or non-
conformist, but not necessarily negative. People of this type turned in to become, trend setters, revolutionaries,
discoverer and inventors.

GENERAL EDUCATION 1- UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

MODULE 1- INTRODUCTION TO UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

EXERCISE 1
Instruction: if you think the statement is correct, write agree, otherwise, write disagree.
Agree1. We are what we are right now because we want to be like this.
Agree2. We can be whatever or whoever we want to be.
Agree3. Our parents (or family members) can only influence us while we are in our growing years.
Agree4. Our tendencies are completely controllable.
Agree5. There are still many things that we haven’t discovered about ourselves.

EXERCISE 2
Instruction: list down at least five (5) of your traits under each of the categories provided below. Then,
identify the possible source/s of these traits by ranking the influence of the different factors (4 being the
highest, 1 being the lowest).
Factors of Self/Identity

Traits Social Environmental Heredity Person-Volition

Physical appearance
(e.g., tall, has
pointed nose, stout)

1,tan skin 4 2 3 1

2.pointed nose 3 2 4 1

3.tall 4 3 2 1

4.thin 4 3 2 1

5.black hair 4 3 2 1

Emotional
Expression (e.g.,
warm, cheerful,
irritable)

1.exhausted 2 1 3 4

2. lively 4 3 1 2

3. sad 1 2 3 4

4. mad 1 2 3 4

5.joyfull 4 3 2 1

Interpersonal
relationship (e.g.,
caring, friendly,
aloof)

1. friendly 3 4 2 1

2.caring 3 4 2 1

3.loving 3 4 2 1

4thoughtful 3 4 2 1

5.respectful 3 4 2 1