UNDERSTANDING THE SELF REVIEWER

MIDTERM

PHYSICAL SELF

Physical Self - It refers to the body that we interface with the environment and people.

- A tangible (touchable) aspect of the person that can be observed and examined.

People nowadays are too conscious about their appearance due to the concept of our self and the
perception of other people. It significantly affects how we deal a situation, cultural or not.

Below, Different orientation explains how people deals with their physical self regardless of what culture
or traditions they may have.

Physical Self according to:

William James

 The body is the initial source of sensation and necessary for the origin and maintenance of
personality.

Sigmund Freud

 Construction of self and personality makes the physical body the core of human experience.

Wilhelm Reichargued

 Mind and body are one; all psychological processes are a part of physical processes, and vice
versa.

Erik Erikson

 Bodily organs are important in early developmental stage. Later in life, development of physical
and intellectual skills determine whether an individual will achieve a sense of competence to
choose demanding roles in a complex society.

B.F. Skinner

 The roles of the body is of primary importance.

Self – Esteem

- It can be defined as how we value and perceive ourselves.

As our physical self dictates how we act in front of other people, it also defines how we will manage our
self-esteem. This self-esteem is vital on how form a positive and healthy relationships with other people.

Most of the time, this self-esteem are defined by what physical attributes they have.

There are three kinds of self-esteem:

Inflated Self-Esteem

- This people holds high regards of themselves better than the other to the point of under
estimating them.

High Self-Esteem

- This is a positive self-esteem, which make the person be satisfied of themselves.

Low Self-Esteem

- This person do not value themselves and do not trust their possibilities.

SEXUAL SELF

As psychoanalytical theory states that physical body is the core of human experience as form of
construction of self and personality. Freud maintained that id, ego, and superego changes overtime as a
person grows from child to adult.

There are Psychosexual Stages that an individual undergoes:

Oral Stage (1 Year)

 Libido is focused on the mouth. Negligence of oral needs may result in oral fixation such as:
thumb sucking, smoking, eating, immature.

Anal Stage (1-3 Years)

 Libido is focused on anus, bowel, and bladder. In this stage the child must be toilet trained; in
result in obsessively organized or neat, negligence may result in being reckless, careless, or
disorganized.
Phallic Stage (3-6 Years)

 In this stage, the child may be able to determine their gender based on their genitalia. In
addition, in this stage also come with the:
- Oedipus Complex (boys) – A desire for sexual involvement with the parent of the
opposite sex.
- Electra Complex (girls) – A girl’s sense of competition with her mother for the affection
of her father.

Latency Stage (6 – Puberty)

 In this stage, sexual energy remains dormant and is channeled into asexual activities such as
learning hobbies, and social relationships.

Genital Stage (Puberty – Death)

 During this stage, the teenage overcome latency and now seeks pleasure through sexual contact
with other individual.

Understanding Basic of Sexual Behavior

Male

 Can occur at any time, by being aroused to certain stimuli.

 At puberty, the testes begin to secrete androgens (male sex hormones) which produce growth of
bodily hairs and change in tone of voice.

Female

 At puberty, the two ovaries begin to produce estrogens and progesterone (female sex
hormones).
 At this stage of puberty for female occurs in cyclical manner.

Human Reproductive System

 - An organ system by which reproduces and bear live offspring by the union between male and
female reproductive system.

During the sexual intercourse, the semen from male is discharged in the vagina. The sperms will begin
moving up to the uterus reaching the fallopian tube. During the travel, most of the sperms die while
climbing through the fallopian tube, only one sperm will enter the ovum and can remain alive for 12
hours. If it meets the ovum, it will lead to fertilization.

Male Reproductive System

a) Testis – is the most important part of male reproductive organ. It is the source of spermatozoa
(male germ cell)
b) Scrotum – it is a sac of skin where the two testes are enveloped; directly below and outside of
the abdomen.
c) Prostate glands – it is a gland that carries out both urine and seminal fluid. It is connected by
sperm ducts from sperm ducts joining into single tube called urethra. The Urethra then leads to
the outside of the body through penis.
d) Penis – it is where the ejaculation occurs by sending sperm cell from testis and secrete out.
e) Sperm – it is a male gametes, one that is necessary for the egg to develop and become a baby.

Female Reproductive System

a) Ovary – it is a pair of small, oval organs which produces ova (ovum; female germ cells)
b) Fallopian Tube – are pair of thin tubes that leads from ovaries to the uterus.
c) Uterus (womb) – it is a hollow pear-shaped elastic muscular structure where fertilized ovum
(zygote) develops into a baby.
d) Vagina – it is a tube leading to outside of the body through an opening called the vulva.

Physiological Aspects of Sexual Excitement

Erogenous Zone (“Hot spots”)

- These are parts of the body that in particular sensitive to touch, pressure and vibration which
contributes to sexual arousal.
- Stimulation of the erogenous zone could bring sexual satisfaction, improves sexual health and
stimulating different spots may produce different reaction to the body.
- The most common erogenous zones for male and female are reproductive organs (vagina, penis,
scrotum & clitoris), mouth (lips), neck, breast (nipples), and ears.

Phases of Sexual Response

According to Johnson & Master, Sexual response follows a regular patter consisting of four phases:

 Arousal Phase
- It is a subjective sense of sexual pleasure.
- Physiological signs in male is penile tumescence (erection) and vasocongestion to female
leads to vaginal lubrication and nipple erection.
 Plateau Phase
- A brief period of time before the orgasm. It is the body’s preparation for orgasm.
 Orgasm Phase
- An intense, highly pleasurable experience. In this phase, rhythmic muscular contractions
occur in the genitals.
- For Male, contractions expel semen, a fluid containing sperm, a process called
ejaculation.
- For both Male and Female, breathing and heart rates reach maximum.
 Resolution Stage
- The stage where a decrease of arousal (particularly in male) happens.
- Genitals resume their unaroused state and shape; blood pressure, breathing, and heart
rate return to normal.

Diversity of Sexual Behavior

Sexual behavior may be influenced by not only the basic physiological aspect of sexuality but
also by different expectations, attitudes, beliefs and state of medical and biological knowledge.

Heterosexuality

 Sexual attraction and behavior directed to other sex.

Homosexuality and Bisexuality

 Homosexuals is a romantic/sexual attraction between members of the same sex.

 Bisexuals are the person who can be romantically/sexually involve with same sex and the
opposite sex.

Transsexuality and Transgenderism

 Transsexual believed they were born with the body of the other gender, a man in a woman’s
body. Transsexuals sometimes seek sex exchange operation which undergo steps such as
intensive sexual counseling, hormone injections, living as a desired sex for several years, and
surgery.
 Transgenderism or Transgenders view themselves as a third gender, they are transvestites (who
wears clothes of the other gender).

Natural and Artificial Method of Contraception.

Natural Contraception

A type of birth control that depends with the observations on a woman’s body through monitoring and
recording different fertility signals during her menstrual cycle. These may be in a form of:

 Abstinence
- Most effective way of birth control. Done through Abstaining (to avoid) from sexual
intercourse.
- Has a 0% rate of failure.
 Calendar Method
- Also called as the Rhythm Method. It involves avoiding coitus (sexual intercourse) during
the days that the woman is fertile.
- Has a 25% rate of failure.
 Basal Body Temperature (BBT)
- It is the woman’s body temperature at rest. Done by monitoring changes in the woman’s
body temperature every morning. Slight increase and decrease in temperature will be a
sign of ovulation.
- Has a 9-25% rate of failure.
 Cervical Mucus Method
- The basis changes in the cervical mucus during ovulation. According to this method, a
woman is fertile when the mucus is profuse and watery.
- Has a 25% rate of failure.
 Symptothermal Method
- A combination of Basal Body Temperature method (BBT) and Cervical Mucus Method.
- Has a 2% rate of failure
 Ovulation Detection
- It is an over-the-counter kit that requires a urine specimen to detect the Luteinizing
Hormone (LH) to predict ovulation.
  Lactation Amenorrhea Method
- Is exclusive for breastfeeding woman. Thus, it should be noted that the woman is advise
to choose other method after period of three months or if the mother is not exclusively
breastfeeding or is using formula drink for the baby.
 Coitus Interruptus
- The oldest method of contraception. This is where the couple proceeds with coitues but
at the moment of ejaculation, the man withdraws before emission of sperm inside the
vagina.
- Has a 75% rate of failure.

Artificial Method of Contraception

A diverse method of contraception using medical equipment to prevent conception of a woman. There
are different types of artificial contraception but not all types are appropriate for all situations.

Using artificial contraception depends on the individual’s health, status, age, sexual activity and/or
number of partners. There are:

 Oral Contraception
- It is known as the “Pill”. Contains synthetic estrogen and progesterone.
- Recommended on the first Sunday after the beginning of the menstrual flow.
 Transdermal patch
- It is a patch applied in the following areas; upper outer arm, upper torso, abdomen or
buttocks for three weeks.
 Vaginal Ring
- Releases a combination of estrogen and progesterone and surrounds the cervix.
- Remains in for 3 weeks and it will be removed on the fourth week as menstrual period
flows.
- The woman becomes fertile as soon as the ring is removed.
 Subdermal Implants
- It is a two rod-like implants under the skin of the woman during her menstruation or on
the 7th day of her menstruation to make sure that she will not get pregnant.
- Contains etonogestrel, desogestral, and progestin.
- Has a 1% failure rate.
 Hormonal Injections
- This injection prevents ovulation and cause change in the cervical mucus.
- It has almost 100% effectiveness and one of the most popular choice for birth control.
 Intrauterine Device (IUD)
- It is a small T-shaped object inserted in uterus through vagina to prevent fertilization.
- It is done only by a physician right after the woman’s menstruation to be sure that she is
not pregnant.
 Chemical Barriers
- These are used to cause death of the sperm before it can enter the cervix of the woman.
 - These are spermicides, vaginal gels and creams, and glycerin films.
 Diaphragm
- Inhibits the entrance of the vagina. It should not be left for more than 24 hours to avoid
irritation.
- Has a failure rate of 16%
 Condoms
- Male condoms is a synthetic rubber sheath that is placed in the erect penis before
penetration.
- Female Condom is also a synthetic rubber placed inside the vaginal opening.
 Surgical Methods
- Vasectomy is a procedure done to male through small incision made on each side of the
scrotum to block the passage of sperms.
- Tubal Ligation is a procedure done to female through cutting, cauterizing, or blocking
the fallopian tube to inhibit the passage of both sperm and the ova.
 MATERIAL AND ECONOMICAL SELF

Material Self

 Pertains to the objects, places, or even people which have the label “mine”.

According to William James, also known as the father of American Psychology, Man’s “Material self” is
not only limited to one own’s body but also includes different things a man possesses from ones family,
friends, as well as things such as clothes, house, cars, gadgets, and even the amount of money.

In James’ idea of the Material Self, one defines themselves and at the same time defined by the
people they are acquainted with along with the accumulation of objects and achievements. For example:

Body

 A person can identify itself as a singer not only from their own belief that they can sing.
- In this, it is your physical attributes that can define or identify as you.

Family

 Family members can also consider as factors if the person came from a family of singers.
- Your self can be defined by the aspects of your family.

Friends

 These are people who says or believe that you can sing.
- Defines your self with the aspects of people that you surround yourself.

Possessions

 Things such as trophies attained from singing contest may can be considered as an aspect of
yourself.
- Material things that can be considered or represent your self.
The losing of such object or people will render one feeling that a part of the person was lost.

An example would be a loss of a family member, business that a person have, and sudden inability to do
passion due to accident or medical complication.

THE SPIRITUAL SELF

“Spiritual self is the most enduring and intimate part of the self”

William James’ defines spiritual self as the inner most workings of the persons mind, the
behavior, beliefs, and even the morals that involves every aspect of the human as a person. According to
James, people will find more satisfaction in having been able to show the spiritual self like their
intelligence, to have their wishes be done and to act upon their conscience than to count or show their
possessions.

Manifestations of the Spiritual Self

 Person’s Will
- Refers to one’s wishes, these are the things that we want to see and achieve in our lives.
 Intelligence and Abilities
- These are the perceived strengths of a person, the things that they have confidence in
doing and believe to have a certain level of mastery.
 Morals
- It is the definition of what is right and wrong, distinguishing the things that are
acceptable for a person, the society and at the same time the determination of the
possible effects of their actions to themselves, their environment and other people.
 Values
- Is the person’s ability to distinguish what is important and what is not.

With these in mind, the establishment of a person’s notion of what is good and bad, as well as to
stand on what is right and what should be done is what William James consider as the manifestation of a
person’s spiritual self.

Here in the Philippines, our country is known to have a culture that values the teachings and
learning of religion, where our notion of right and wrong is based on the teaching of the church or any
religion. These teaching enables individuals understand furthermore who they are and what are the
things that they can and cannot do based on the behaviors that are being taught in one’s religion.

Difference between Religion and Spirituality

Religion

 Is an organized system of ideas about spiritual reality or the supernatural, along with associated
beliefs and ceremonial practices.

Spirituality

 Concern with the sacred as distinguished from material matters. In contrast to religion,
spirituality is often individual rather than collective and does not require a distinctive format or
traditional organization.

Myth, Rituals, and Supernatural

Myth

 A sacred narrative that explains the fundamentals of human existence.

Rituals

 A culturally prescribed symbolic act or procedure designed to guide members of a community in

an orderly way through personal and collective transition.

Supernatural

 The supernatural is around you all of the time, especially in non-industrialized societies.

Functions of Religions

Cognitive Function

 Enabling humans to explain the unexplainable phenomena

Emotional Function

 Helping individuals to cope up with anxieties that often accompany illness, accidents, death and
other misfortunes.

Social Function

 Social control, conflict resolution and building group solidartity.

The Concept of “Dungan” – Spirit or Soul

The “soul” or spirit of a person has two dimensions; human body and spiritual. The soul referred to as
kaluluwa by the tagalogs or Dungan by the ilonggos, comes from the root word of duwa. The Dungan is
not seen by the human eye, it is a different from for instance, an insect, or a small animal such as lizard.

Bisayans believe that the Dungan leaves the body while person is asleep. Travelling Dungan outside the
body must be free from accidents such as getting trapped in a jar. Only when the soul has safely reunited
with the body, the person will be awake.

Dungan is also connoted as “willpower”.

Rituals and Ceremonies

Visayan fishing villages practice offering ritual called haring. Here, a local shaman invokes sea-spirits.
There are several stages of the ritual.

Finding and Creating Meaning in Life

Viktor Frankl, the originator of Logotherapy, questions the thoughts of Freud and oppose the idea that
the significance of life was to seek joy. According to Frankl, man cannot avoid suffering but can find
meaning from it. His theory holds three primary human capabilities called as noological possibilities: self-
detachment, self-transcendence, and the ability to “spiritually be in touch” with something or someone
independent of spatio temporal dimensions.

It complements these three capabilities:

Anthropological

 “Man does not simply exist but always decides what his existence will be what he will become in
the next moment.”

Psychological

 Man’s key motivation is the search for meaning.

Philosophical

 Life has unconditional meaning, regardless of the circumstance or situation.