THE MATERIAL SELF

What is material self?

- According to William James (1980), the self is everything that an individual considers to
be his or hers, not only his or her body material possessions but also his or her
reputation and beliefs. The self, therefore, is composed of the material self which is the
manifestation of one’s identity through his material possessions. It is also pertains to the
objects, places, or even people which have the label “mine”. For instance, your clothes
reflect certain aspects of your personality and you designate them as “my wardrobe”.
What is material self also known as?
- Material self. Also called as economic self, manifestation of ones identity through
material possessions. William James. Self is everything and individual considers to be his
or hers.
What are the 3 components of material self?
- James went on to distinguish between three aspects of selfhood:
 The material self, consisting of one’s body, family relations, and possessions;
 The social self – essentially oneself as viewed by others; and.
 The spiritual self, consisting of one’s emotions and drives.
Why is it important to understand our material self?
- to know our material self means that we know about our body—for example, its size,
shape, and appearance. To know our intrapersonal self means that we know our
emotions, needs, values, opinions, and other internal processes. And to know our
interpersonal self means that we know how others see us.
What is the basic component of the material self?
- It includes the body. One of the task of adolescents is to accept and appreciate the
physical characteristics of their body. However, few adolescents are able to do this
successfully. Adolescents tend to worry about their bodies and physical appearance.
- Another component of the material self is the clothes that people wear. Clothes
represent the self. The style and brand of of clothes become significant symbols,
particularly among adolescents.
- Apart from clothes, the material component of the self can include one’s house, car,
pets, and other things that he or she considers as his or her possession.
- The material component of the self also includes people an individual has relationships
with such as one’s immediate and extended family members as well as close friends
with whom one feels psychologically connected.
What are material self goals?
 - Materialism comprises a set of values and goals focused on wealth, possessions, image,
and status. These aims are a fundamental aspect of the human value/goal system,
standing in relative conflict with aims concerning the well-being of others, as well as
one's own personal and spiritual growth.
ROLE OF MATERIAL POSSESSIONS ON THE SENSE OF SELF AND IDENTITY

- According to 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.
Defining the self by material possessions can also contribute to a feeling of well being,
including a sense of personal growth and purpose of meaning in life. However, the lack or
loss 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. The more likely one will be
accepted and regarded well by other people. The important point is that these components of
the material self become a significant reference of one’s sense of self and identity.
What is Materialism?
- It 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.
Developmental evidence suggests that identification with material things begins quite early in
life but remains high throughout life as people seek for happiness (Belk, 1988). Nevertheless,
psychologists implicated in the etiology of materialism.
What are the examples of material or things that a person or an individual possessed?

 Branded clothes
 Gadgets
 Shoes
 Hand bags
 Electronic equipment
 Mobile phones
 Cars
What will happen if the person is lack or loss of material possessions?

 Anxiety - a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event

or something with an uncertain outcome.
 Insecurity - uncertainty or anxiety about oneself; lack of confidence.
 Unpleasant emotions - it gives you bad feelings, for example by making you feel upset
or uncomfortable.
 Depression - feeling sad or having a depressed mood. Loss of interest or pleasure in
activities once enjoyed. Changes in appetite — weight loss or gain unrelated to dieting.
Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much.
Consumer Culture
- is a social system in which consumption is dominated by the consumption of commercial
products (Arnould, 2010). Consumer culture denotes a social arrangement in which the
relations between lived culture and social resources, and between meaningful ways of
life and symbolic and material resources on which they depend on, are mediated
through markets. (Arnould & Graig, 2005). A consumerist society is one in which people
spend a great deal of time, money, and energy to “consume” commercial products,
goods and services.
What is Consumerism?
- is the consumption material goods and services in excess of one’s basic needs.
Consumerism is closely tied to materialism. Both heavily influence the way individuals
view the self. It can be positively and negatively. For instance, people tend to be happier
and more motivated when their wants and needs are met. On the other hand, it
encourages people to buy products and services that they do not really need or afford.
What are the effects that can cause negative in a person or an individual?

 Dissatisfaction
 Unhappiness
 Depression.