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Course Code and Title: GE 101 – Understanding the Self

Lesson Number: Lesson 10 (Week 14)
Topic: The Material/Economic Self
This topic begins with a description of the material self and the components of the material self. The
motives for acquiring material possessions are explained and the key roles that media can play in a
person's desire to acquire material possessions.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
 Develop an understanding of the material self;
 Describe the basic components of the material self;
 Discuss the influence of media in people’s acquisition of material possessions; and
 Develop the qualities of a wise buyer.
Pre-Assessment:
Read the following statements/questions carefully. Write your answers in the space provided.
1. A person's possessions, including the body, family, clothes, money, house, car, and other
tangible objects, make up his or her _______________.
2. _______________ is the importance that people give to material possessions over intangible
values.
3. A _______________ person is excessively concerned with the acquisition of material
possessions.
4. _______________ or (CBD) is characterized by an obsession with shopping and buying
behaviors.
Lesson Presentation:

INTRODUCTION

A person's tangible possessions like his or her car, house, clothes, even family and friends make up
his or her material self. Regardless of how much or how little a person owns materially, he or she will
always strive to acquire more because material possessions are usually a reflection of a person's
success or failure.
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MATERIAL SELF

According to William James (1980, p. 291), the self is everything that an individual considers to be
his or hers, not only his or her body and material possessions but also his or her reputation and
beliefs. Therefore, the self is composed of the material self, which manifests one's identity through
his material possessions.

The basic component of the material self includes the body. One of the tasks of adolescents is to
accept and appreciate the physical characteristics of their bodies. However, few adolescents are
able to do this successfully. Adolescents tend to worry about their bodies and physical appearance.
Generally, girls are more concerned about the appearance of their bodies than boys. Perceptions
about what makes a body beautiful are usually influenced by the media, as shown on television and
the internet.

Another component of the material self is the clothes that people wear. Clothes represent the self.
The style and brand of clothes become significant symbols, particularly among adolescents. Their
peer groups greatly influence their clothes because they are anxious to conform to what their peer
groups find fashionable and attractive.

Apart from clothes, the self's material component can include one's house, car, pets, and other
things they consider to be his or her possession. The self's material component also includes people
an individual has relationships with, such as one's immediate and extended family members and
close friends with whom one feels psychologically connected. These people are likely to shape and
influence the development of one's self and identity. Pets could also symbolically define a person's
identity. A person's pet could express one's social status, pride, and prestige, as in owning a dog or
cat of a very expensive breed.

THE ROLE OF MATERIAL POSSESSIONS ON THE SENSE OF SELF AND IDENTITY

Regardless of how much or how little material possessions people have, they remain valuable
because these possessions are symbolic of one's social status. Cars, houses, gadgets, and clothes
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are the most valuable possessions because they are visible in others' eyes. The more expensive
they are, the more other people are impressed. Russell Belk (1988), in his work, Are We What We
Own? Suggests that material possessions act as an objective manifestation of the self. Material
possessions can be a reflection of hard work and success. Normally, people tend to measure
success through the amount of their material possessions. Owning material possessions becomes a
driving force in urging an individual to seek a high achievement level to acquire more possessions.

Defining the self by material possessions can also contribute to a feeling of well-being, including
personal growth and purpose or meaning in life. However, the lack of material possessions can be
disruptive to one's mental health, like people losing their houses and other possessions because of
disasters and calamities. People tend to judge others through their material possessions. Thus, the
greater the material possessions, the more likely one will be accepted and regarded well by other
people. The important point is that these material components become a significant reference to
one's sense of self and identity.

However, the desire for material possessions also has negative effects on one's sense of self and
identity. Materialism refers to giving more importance to material possessions than intangible values.
A materialistic person is one who is excessively concerned with the acquisition of material
possessions. The strong desire for material possessions could lead to psychological dysfunction or
impairment in functioning, such as compulsive buying disorder (CBD), which is characterized by an
obsession with shopping and buying behaviors that can cause adverse consequences (e.g., debts).

Developmental evidence suggests that identification with material things begins quite early in life but
remains high throughout life as people seek happiness (Belk, 1988). Nevertheless, psychologists
identify other social and cultural factors that seem to be strongly implicated in materialism's etiology.
People are exposed to images on television, the internet, and magazines that brag about the
importance of material possessions such as branded clothes, mobile phones, cars, and the like.
Lack of these material possessions could lead to anxiety, insecurity, and depression in overly
materialistic people. Thus, when a person is about to make a purchase, they should ask themselves
a very important question: DOI NEED THIS?
Summary:
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A person’s possessions, including the body, family, clothes, money, house, car, and other tangible
objects, make up their material self.

Materialism is the importance that people give to material possessions over intangible values.

A materialistic person is excessively concerned with the acquisition of material possessions.

Compulsive buying disorder (CBD) is characterized by an obsession with shopping and buying
behaviors.

Activity/Evaluation:
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This is a closed module activity. Please observe honesty.

True or False (1 pt. Each – 10 pts.)

(Instruction: Analyze each statement and write T if it is true and F if it is False. Write your answers
on a ¼ sheet of yellow pad paper.)
Time limit: 10 minutes

1. Poor people are not interested in material possessions.

2. The soul makes up the material self.
3. People tend to judge others through their material possessions.
4. Material possessions can make people depressed.
5. The greater the material possessions, the more one is likely to be happy.
6. All individuals are materialistic.
7. The strong desire for material possessions could lead to insecurity.
8. Material possessions can be used as a status symbol.
9. The media usually influence the desire for material possessions.
10. Identification with material things begins in adolescence.
Reinforcement:
You may browse your notes and module to aid in answering the following activity.

Reflection – Essay (25 pts.)

Write your answers on one whole sheet of yellow pad paper.

1. Write your most treasured material possessions and explain the reasons why you consider
them to be so. (5 points each)
A. Body part
B. Clothes
C. People
D. Other material possessions

2. Choose one material thing that you possess and has personal significance or meaning to you.
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Why do you find that object personally relevant or meaningful? Discuss your answer. (5
points)

References:

Understanding the Self (2018)

Go-Monilla, M.J. & Ramirez, N.