UNDERSTANDING THE SELF –23rd Nov, 2022

The Physical Self

Pre-final: Unraveling the Self
What matters the most, the Physical attributes or the personality?
How does the Physical appearance affects our self-confidence or self-esteem?

Physical Self
 Refers to the body, this marvelous container and complex, finely tuned machine with which we interface
with our environment and fellow beings.
 The Physical Self is the concrete dimension, the tangible aspect of the person that can be directly observed
and examined.
- Sanjay Singh

 The self is the sum total of all that man call his which includes his body, family and reputation, also his
clothes and his house which we identify as our Extended Self.
 It is also the initial source of sensation and necessary for the origin and maintenance of personality.
 James considered the body as subservient to the mind.
- William James, 1899

Nature vs Nurture
This theory was developed by the psychologist, Francis Galton in 1869.
This theory tries to describe the impact of genes and environment.
Nature Nurture
Genes and Hereditary Factors Environment Variables
 physical appearance  childhood experiences
 personality characteristics  how we were raised
 social relationships
 surrounding culture
Body Image
 Refers to the way you see your physical self, your body and the thoughts and feelings that are caused by
the way you see it.
 “The way we internally and externally talk about ourselves based on how we see look and reflection we
see in the mirror”.
- Jessica Cortes, RD

William Sheldon’s Physique Classification

Ectomorph
A human physical type towards
linearity or the characteristics of
being slim.
Mesomorph
A human physical type that is
marked by greater than average
muscular development.
Physique Classification
Endomorph
A human physical type tending
towards roundness or people
who has great deal of body fat.

 People under ectomorph are
characterized as introverts,
quiet, artistic, restrained and
self-conscious.
Characteristics
 People who are characterized  Endomorphs are classified as
as mesomorph are active and being extroverted, tolerant,
competitive. relaxed and lazy.
4 Aspects of Body Image
1. Perceptual Body Image
 The way you see your body is not always a correct representation of what you actually look like.
2. Affective Body Image
 Affect is related to the experience of emotion or feelings, and an affective body image is how you
feel about your body. The feelings that give you either satisfaction or dissatisfaction about your
weight, shape, or other various aesthetics.
3. Cognitive Body Image
 Tends to seem more logical on how we think about our body.
4. Behavioral Body Image
 Is the real-life behavior that we employ which was motivated by different external and internal
factors.
Negative Effects of Physical Appearance on Health
Anorexia Nervosa
 An eating disorder characterized by an abnormally low body weight or has excessive fear of gaining weight.
 They may control calorie intake by vomiting after eating or by misusing laxatives, diet aids and even
exercising excessively.

Bulimia Nervosa
 An eating disorder that causes you to large amount of food at one time (binge) and then get rid of it (purge)
trying to get rid of the excessive calorie.
 They may control calorie intake by vomiting after eating or by misusing laxatives, diet aids.

Signs of Anorexia Nervosa

1. Inability to maintain weight
2. Fatigue
3. Insomnia
4. Skin that is yellow or blotchy
5. Hair thinning or falling out
6. Constipation
7. More than 3 cycles without period
8. Dry skin
9. Low blood pressure

Signs of Bulimia Nervosa

1. Constantly worrying or complaining about being fat
2. Unusually eating large amount of food in one sitting
3. Not wanting to eat in public
4. Going to the bathroom right after eating or during meals
5. Facial and cheek swelling from enlarged glands
6. Having damaged teeth and gums

Inner Beauty
 Refers to the personality of a person including his/her mind and character.

External Beauty
 Refers to the looks of a person and it can easily be faked and changed through make-up, dressing, surgery
and etc.

Body Adornment
 Refers to the practice of physically enhancing the body by styling and decorating the hair, painting and
embellishing the fingernails, wearing make-up, painting the body, wearing jewelry and through fashion.

Body Modification
 It means, to deliberately alter one’s physical appearance. It can be small and huge like tattooing, piercing and
stretched neck. It could also be temporary or permanent. But this is also culturally specific.

Popular Culture
 Refers in general to the traditions and material culture of a particular society. This may also refer to music,
art, fashion, dance, film, and etc. consumed by the majority.
- Crossman, 2019
Importance of Self-Esteem
 Self-esteem is your subjective sense of overall personal worth or value. Similar to self-respect, it describes
your level of confidence in your abilities and attributes.
- Kendra Cherry, n.d

Why Self-Esteem is Important?

Self-esteem impacts your decision-making process, your relationships, your emotional health, and your overall
well-being. It also influences motivation, as people with a healthy, positive view of themselves understand their
potential and may feel inspired to take on new challenges.
- Kendra Cherry, n.d

Four key characteristics of healthy self-esteem are:

1. A firm understanding of one’s skills
2. The ability to maintain healthy relationships with others as a result of having a healthy relationship with
oneself
3. Realistic and appropriate personal expectations
4. An understanding of one’s needs and the ability to express those needs

Signs of people with low self-esteem:

1. Less sure of their ability and may doubt their decision-making process.
2. They may not feel motivated to try novel things because they don’t believe they can reach their goal.
3. May have issues with their relationships and expressing with their needs.
4. Those with low level of confidence and feel unlovable and unworthy.
- Kendra Cherry, n.d

“People will make judgements before you even speak based on the way you look. Most definitely your physical
appearance matters. The way you dress, your hygiene – it all matters”. – Jonathan Adler –

The Sexual Self

Why is sex a taboo topic?

What do you think is the reason why LGBTQ members are being discriminated?

Sex refers to a set of biological attributes in humans It is primarily associated with physical and psychological
features.
 Male and Female

Gender refers to the socially constructed roles, behaviors, expressions and identities of men and women and
diverse people. Not confined to a binary nor is it static.

Ancient Times
 Men are mighty and honorable
 Women are viewed as a possession of men
 Women were forbidden to own property to own property and had no rights

Contemporary Era
 Able to share equally in the distribution of power and influence;
 Have equal opportunities for financial independence;
 Enjoy equal access to education;
 Share responsibilities for the home and children and are completely free from coercion, intimidation and
gender-based violence both at work and at home.
What is SOGIE?

A PRIMER ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY,

AND EXPRESSION

BIOLOGICAL SEX
Is the sex assigned to a person at
birth
FEMALE
MALE
INTERSEX
Born with atypical reproductive anatomy (i.e person having
both male and female reproductive organs)

SEXUAL ORIENTATION
Who a person is physically, emotionally,
and/or sexually attracted
Other Gender Classification
HETEROSEXUAL Gay
Attracted to opposite sex  Used in some cultural settings to represent men
HOMOSEXUAL who are attracted to men in a romantic, erotic
Attracted to dame sex and/or emotional sense.
Lesbian
BISEXUAL  Usually refers to a woman who has romantic
Attracted to both male and female and/or sexual orientation toward women. Some
nonbinary people also identify with this term.
PANSEXUAL Genderqueer
Attracted to all genders
 A person who does not identify or express their
ASEXUAL gender within the gender binary.
Not sexually attracted to anyone

BIOLOGICAL IDENTITY
A person’s identification of their
gender
TRANSGENDER
Identifies differently from sex assigned at birth
GENDER FLUID
An identity that varies over time (male, female, or any other non-binary identity)
CISGENDER
Identifies as the sex assigned at birth (Male or Female)

GENDER EXPRESSION
How a person presents their gender
(e.g. clothing, actions, demeanor, etc.)

FEMININE
Expresses the qualities and characteristics of a woman
MASCULINE
Expresses the qualities and characteristics of a man
GENDER NEUTRAL
Expresses neither masculine nor feminine qualities
ANDROGYNOUS
Expresses both masculine or feminine qualities
Challenges of the LGBTQ+ Members
Internalized Oppression
 This happens to gay, lesbian and bisexual people, and even heterosexuals, who have learned and been
taught that heterosexuality, is the norm and “correct way to be”.
Transphobia
 Someone ho has hate, fear, or disgust for transgender people or anyone who does not fit into the
male/female gender binary.

Types of Behavior
Solitary Behavior
 A behavior involving only one individual. Self-gratification means self-stimulation that leads to sexual
arousal and generally, sexual climax

Sociosexual Behavior
 Involving more than one person
 Usually begins in childhood and may be motivated by curiosity, such as showing or examining genitalia.
 May also involves physical contact

Physiology of Human Sexual Response

Excitement Phase
 This is also called as “Desire Phase” wherein sexual fantasies trigger sexual urges.
 Arousal – Stimulation of sexual pleasure and physiological signs this may include;
1. Penile Tumescence – increase flow of blood into the penis
2. Female release lubrication (Vasocongestion) and nipples erect (Breast Tumescence) during this
stage

Plateau Phase
 It is generally a brief duration. If stimulation is continued, orgasm usually.

Sexual Climax
 Marked by a feeling of abrupt, intense pleasure, a rapid increase in pulse rate and blood pressure, and
spasms of the pelvic muscles causing contractions of the female reproductive organ and ejaculation by
the male.
 Also characterized by involuntary vocalizations.

Resolution
 The last stage that refers to the return to a normal or subnormal physiological state.
 Males return to normal even if stimulation continues.
 Females are physically capable of repeated orgasms without the intervening “rest period” required by
males.

Refractory Period – A recovery time to be sexually ready again.

Natural Method of Contraception

Abstinence
 A natural method involves refraining from sexual intercourse and is the most effective natural birth
control method with ideally 0% fail rate.

Calendar Method
 Also called as the rhythm method. It entails withholding from
coitus during the days that the woman is fertile.
 Woman is likely to conceive 3 or 4 days before and after the
ovulation.
 Artificial Method of Contraception
Oral Contraceptives
 Also known as the pill, oral contraceptives contain synthetic estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen
suppresses Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and LH to prevent ovulation.

Subdermal Implants
 Are two rod-like implants inserted under the skin of the female during her menses of in the 7 th day of her
menstruation to make sure that she will not get pregnant.
 Can be helpful for 3 to 5 years.

Vaginal Ring
 Releases a combination of estrogen and progesterone and it surrounds the cervix. This is inserted into
the female reproductive organ and remains there for 3 weeks.

Intrauterine Device
 Is a small, T-shaped object containing progesterone that is inserted into the uterus via the female
reproductive organ. It prevents fertilization by creating a local sterile inflammatory condition to prevent
implantation of the zygote.

Male Condoms
 A latex or synthetic rubber sheath that is placed on the erect male reproductive organ before penetration
into the female reproductive organ to trap the sperm.

Female Condoms
 Made up of latex rubber sheaths that are pre-lubricated with spermicide. They are usually bound two
rings. The outer ring is first inserted against the opening of the female reproductive organ and the inner
ring covers the cervix.

The Material Self

Material Self
 It refers to the tangible aspect, people or places that carry the designation my or mine.
- William James

2 Classification
1. Bodily Self
2. Extracorporeal Self

BODY
 Inner most part of our body
 Intentionally, we invest in our body
 We are directly attached to this commodity that we cannot live without.
 Any ailment or disorder directly affect us
 We do have certain preferential attachment or intimate closeness to
certain parts because of its value to us.

CLOTHING
 The style and the brand of clothes becomes a symbolic significance
 The fabric and style of the clothes we wear bring sensations to the body
and can affect out attitude and behavior.
 The material component of the self can include books, beds, money, car,
house and other things that person call his possession.
 Clothing is a form of self expression

FAMILY
 These people are likely to shape and influence the development of self identity
 Our siblings and parents had a great important part our self
 What they do or become affects us
 We place huge investment to our immediate family when we see them as nearest replica of our self.

HOME
 Earliest nest of our selfhood
 Our experiences inside the home were recorded and marked on particular parts and things in our home.
 The home is an extension of self because we can directly connect ourselves to it