Southeast Asian Institute of Technology, Inc.

National Highway, Brgy.Crossing, Tupi, South Cotabato

In Compliance for the partial requirements

for the Completion of the subject:

“UNDERSTANDING THE SELF”

GE 111

A Summary of the Subject Pointers/Lessons

|

Submitted by: Alexander Hero F. Aban | BSCE II

Submitted to: Ms. Jomilyn Mae Jalapan

Understanding the Self

As Humans, we tend to develop our knowledge through our exploitation of the

world metaphysically and ideologically, we answer our questions and find another
question to find another answer possible.

We strive for knowledge more than any intelligent specie here on our planet, answering
any possible question that comes to mind, though there may be a saying that “curiosity
killed the cat”, we human beings proved it to be the exact opposite, for curiosity is the
path to clearing our most relevant questions in mind.

Given that we have discovered anything that might arouse our curiosity, There is still
that one thing that baffles the great minds of every thinker in history. And that is our
greatest question in history.

We know for sure that as Human Beings, we are naturally curious. But what is the
driving force that puts our mind into work? How do we know that we are apart from any
existing specie on the face of the earth? Why do we do these things? Who are we?

What on Earth am I here for?

All of these questions will be Enlightened if we seek to discover our inner self.
The Self from various perspectives

From a classical sociological perspective, the self is a relatively stable set of

perceptions of who we are in relation to ourselves, others, and to social systems.

The self is socially constructed in the sense that it is shaped through interaction with
other people. As with socialization in general, the individual is not a passive participant
in this process and have a powerful influence over how this process and its
consequences develop.

The perdurable question, "Who am I?" points to a deeply rooted need within the human
species to understand the basis for the experience of unitary consciousness known as
the Self.

Today, the word "Self" has come to refer to a host of intersecting ideas, questions,
concerns, and problems that are central to the human condition and predicament.

At the same time, our fundamental experience of selfhood has inevitably led to the
pursuit of the related but equally enigmatic question of "What is the Self?" Historically,
concepts and theories of what constitutes the Self abound and at times have been so
disparate that the term has assumed radically different meanings across disciplines.

The aim of the Perspectives on the Self lecture series is to thus provide an objective
overview of the evolving notion, construct, and experience of the Self, without losing
sight of the subjective value that makes these matters so vital to each of us.
The Self according to Socrates

One's true self, is not to be identified with what we own, with our social status, our
reputation, or even with our body. Instead, Socrates famously maintained that our true
self is our soul.

The Self according to Plato

Plato emphasizes that human beings have a divine, immortal soul. He devotes an
entire dialogue (Phaedo) to demonstrating the immorality of the soul. It seems fair to
say he considers this the defining and most real part of the self.

The Self according to Aristotle

A soul, Aristotle says, is “the actuality of a body that has life,” where life means the
capacity for self-sustenance, growth, and reproduction. If one regards a living substance
as a composite of matter and form, then the soul is the form of a natural—or, as
Aristotle sometimes says, organic—body.

The Self according to Augustine

Augustine's sense of self is his relation to God, both in his recognition of God's love
and his response to it—achieved through self-presentation, then self-realization.
Augustine believed one could not achieve inner peace without finding God's love.

The Self according to Descartes

With his ties to dualism, Descartes believed the mind is the seat of our consciousness.
Because it houses our drives, intellect, and passions, it gives us our identity and our
sense of self.
The Self according to Locke

Locke states that: personal identity is a matter of psychological continuity. He

considered personal identity (or the self) to be founded on consciousness (viz.
memory), and not on the substance of either the soul or the body.

The Self according to Hume

Hume suggests that the self is just a bundle of perceptions, like links in a chain.
Hume argues that our concept of the self is a result of our natural habit of attributing
unified existence to any collection of associated parts. This belief is natural, but there is
no logical support for it.

The Self according to Kant

According to Kant, we all have an inner and an outer self which together form our
consciousness. The inner self is comprised of our psychological state and our rational
intellect. The outer self includes our sense and the physical world.

The Self according to Freud

Sigmund Freud postulated there are three layers of self within us all. The Id, Ego and
Superego.

Id - is the first part of the self to develop. It's the seat of all our desires and wants. Id has
no awareness other than it wants what it wants.

Ego - The ego develops to mediate between the unrealistic id and the external real
world. It is the decision-making component of personality. Ideally, the ego works by
reason, whereas the id is chaotic and unreasonable.

Super Ego - The superego's function is to control the id's impulses, especially those
which society forbids, such as sex and aggression. It also has the function of
persuading the ego to turn to moralistic goals rather than simply realistic ones and to
strive for perfection.
Self-concept

is the way an individual visualized them self. For example, self-concept can be very
influential in the way we see our self; by receiving critical comments by peers or family
member, which can cause low self-esteem. Self-Concept is made up of factors such as
self-image, ideal self and self-esteem.

Haworth et al (2010) suggests that there are numerous factors that can affect your self-
concept. They are age, education, media, appearance, culture, abuse, relationships,
gender, and income. These factors are also known as socioeconomic factors.

Factors that can influence an individuals’ self-concept are education, media,

appearance, culture, abuse, relationships, gender, income and age.

Education: Education can influence an individual’s self-concept by having supportive

teaching staff who continues to encourage a student to keep up the good work. Also,
another factor that can influence an individual’s self-concept is the lack of employment
due to having a poor education. Education can impact on a person’s self-esteem if they
cannot get into employment and the person will get a negative self-image and low self-
esteem.

Media: Media can influence an individual’s self-concept through provision of educational

sources such as, promoting enrolment on academic courses and information on current
situation happening in our society. A further reason that can influence an individual’s
self-concept is displaying of images of models or celebrities being underweight. For
example, pictures of Victoria Beckham and Nicole Richie.

Appearance: Appearance can affect an individual’s self-concept both constructively

and harmfully. For example, appearance constructive influence will be pictures
displayed by sports encouraging individuals’ to keep up a healthy lifestyle. Further to
point, appearance can have a negative influence on a person’s life through advertising
photos of underweight models and this can influence young women to try to seem very
thin.

Culture: Culture is a belief that you have or self-values. This can influence our self-
concept if we do not endorse other individual’s culture. Cultural diversity can have a
positive influence if we embrace the differences of others, but if differences are used to
discriminate against others, its harmful. Example req. Also, this can be the way you
were brought up by your parents or a guardian.
Abuse: There are different types of abuse; they are physical, emotional, neglect and
sexual. These or any type of abuse can be detrimental to a person, however, abuse can
influence a person if they have been neglected and they will develop a low self-esteem.
In addition, a person has been neglected may feel socially excluded and may suffer
from mental health conditions.

Relationships: Relationship can influence an individual’s self-concept if you do not

have a supportive family, peers. This will may lead the individual to have a negative
self-concept with socialization. Furthermore, having high expectations can also have a
negative self-concept of an individual, additionally if the person has been compared to
other peer groups or siblings can have a negative influence.

Gender: Gender is characterized by being a man or woman. This categorization can

influence a person’s self-concept of stereotyping job roles for both genders. For
example, men should play football and women should stay at home and cook the meals
also take care of the children. Finally, I believe that these factors may influence an
individual’s self-concept everyone should be treated equally regardless of their gender.

Income: Income can influence individual self-concept if they do not have enough
income they may be despair that they cannot afford to live a normal life. For example,
with insufficient low income a person cannot maintain their lifestyle factors, such as
paying their rent, afford heating facilities within their home plus have a balance diet.

Age: It can be said that self-concept can fluctuate throughout different life stages, for
example…. Also, age can influence a person’s self-concept during childhood and
adolescent development. Through comprehending his ideal self-receiving peer
pressure.
Different aspects of Self and Identity

Self and Identity is a subfield of psychology. As the name implies, it deals with
topics pertaining to both self and identity. Key areas of investigation include self-
concept, self-esteem, and self-control.
What distinguishes self and identity as a discipline is its scientific character. Emphasis is
placed on the empirical testing of systematic theories about relevant phenomena.
Hence, its methodological approach differs from both philosophy and sociology.
Self and Identity incorporates elements from different areas of psychology. It owes
particularly large debt to personality psychology and social psychology. (Wikipedia)

Individual level analysis of the self

There are levels of analysis that one can look at self and identity. One level of analysis
is the self on the individual level, for example, self-states, self-motives, self-esteem,
self-efficacy, etc. Self-states are self-process that include unbiased self-awareness.
However, self-motives are more serious impulses to action, something that is innate and
societal or cultural analysis of the self. The other level of analysis is on the societal or
cultural level, for example, the cultural conception of a person, cultural arrangements
that make the person who they are and the cultural concept of self.
Self and identity are highly contingent upon culture. In industrialized Western cultures,
the concept of self is based solely on independence. (Wikipedia)

Collective Self-Esteem
The attitude towards social groups has an effect on the individuals’ self-esteem towards
their own group along with other groups. The collective self-esteem that is gathered
from each group depends on how they're being treated. If the individual has a low self-
esteem, the outlook on other groups can be negative and bonds with other groups can
be difficult to manifest in the future. The way minority groups treat each other has this
kind of effect within the group while treating other groups negatively depending on the
individual experiences with that group. Despite these group differences, some
individuals who have a positive perspective of other minority groups can increase the
individuals’ collective self-esteem, which can progress to what is called cross-group
friendships. Cross-group friendships can be described as a positive relationship
between the intergroup also referred to as cross-race friendship. "We therefore
assumed that high-quality cross-group friendships would provide a sense of
collective self-esteem among minority group members. In turn, collective self-
esteem is likely to fuel collective action tendencies". When there is a positivity, high
quality relations, and respect amongst these inner groups, this can increase collective
self-esteem and collectivity within the community. (Wikipedia)
The Physical Self

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.

The Sexual Self

Sexual self-concept refers to the totality of oneself as a sexual being, including positive
and negative concepts and feelings. According to theorists, sexual self-concept is
described well along three dimensions (Snell & Papini, 1989): sexual self-esteem,
sexual depression, and sexual preoccupation.

The Material/Economic Self

One's sense of self and identity is influential on how an individual chooses to purchase
his or her wants and he or she makes economic decisions that will address his or her
personal and social needs. The material self refers to tangible objects, people, or places
that carry the designation my or mine. Two subclasses of the material self can be
distinguished: The bodily self and the extracorporeal (beyond the body) self.

The Spiritual Self

Spiritual Self. Your Spiritual Self is you in your most beautiful and powerful form. It is
the authentic self, the unconditioned part, the you without patterns. This is personal for
each of us, so no need to get caught up on the language. It is comprised of our self-
perceived abilities, attitudes, emotions, interests, values, motives, opinions, traits, and
wishes.

The Political Self

Political self-organization then refers to the formation of political patterns through the
local interactions of the members only; this can be seen in the formation of public
opinion, political movements, and political revolutions.

The Digital Self

The digital self is the persona you use when you're online. Some people maintain one or
more online identifies that are distinct from their “real world” selves; others have a single
online self that is more or less the same as the one they inhabit in the real world.
 Sexual Behavior & Sexually Transmitted Diseases

The sexual response cycle has four phases: excitement, plateau, orgasm, and
resolution. Both men and women experience these phases, although the timing usually
is different. For example, it is unlikely that both partners will reach orgasm at the same
time.

Excitement Phase - The excitement phase (also known as the arousal phase or initial
excitement phase) is the first stage of the human sexual response cycle, which occurs
as a result of physical or mental erotic stimuli, such as kissing, making out, or viewing
erotic images, that leads to sexual arousal.

Plateau Phase - The plateau phase is the period of sexual excitement prior to orgasm.
The phase is described by an increased circulation and heart rate in both sexes,
increased sexual pleasure with increased stimulation and further increased muscle
tension.

Orgasm Phase - Orgasm is the conclusion of the plateau phase of the sexual response
cycle and is experienced by both males and females. It is accompanied by quick cycles
of muscle contraction in the lower pelvic muscles, which surround both the anus and the
primary sexual organs.

Resolution Phase - During resolution, the body slowly returns to its normal level of
functioning, and swelled and erect body parts return to their previous size and color.
This phase is marked by a general sense of well-being, enhanced intimacy and, often,
fatigue.

Female Erogenous Zones Male Erogenous Zones

 Nape of neck. ... – Penis
 Pubic mound. ... – Mouth
 Inner thighs. ... – Lips
 Armpits. ... – Scrotum
 Ears. ... – Perinium
 Stomach. ... – Ears
 Hands. ... – Buttocks
 The bottoms of your feet. – Back of Ears

The 3 Stages of Adolescence: Early, Middle, and Late

As we mentioned previously, adolescence is broken down into three stages that make
up the age period between 10-21.

When it comes to age, most researchers agree that each stage lasts around 3-4 years.
On paper, it looks like this:

● Early Adolescence – 10-14 years old

● Middle Adolescence – 15-17 years old

● Late Adolescence – 18-21 years old

Menarche is the first occurrence of menstruation. usually begins between the ages of
9–15, about two years after the onset of puberty. The average age of menarche is 12–
13, but it can be normal for it to happen earlier or later

Menopause is the time that marks the end of your menstrual cycles. It's diagnosed after
you've gone 12 months without a menstrual period. Menopause can happen in your 40s
or 50s, but the average age is 51 in the United States. Menopause is a natural
biological process.

Early Adolescence (10-14 Years Old)

● Physical Development. At this stage, children are entering puberty. Hair growth, body
odor, and menstruation begin to happen. For girls, their breasts start to develop. Boys
often develop lower voices.
● Intellectual Development. When children enter adolescence, they’re generally still
very focused on the present and cannot consider the long-term consequences of what
they do or say.
● Emotional Development. Due to the many physical changes that they go through at
this stage, it can be quite the emotional rollercoaster. Low self-esteem, mood swings,
aggression, and even depression are common.
● Social Development. While most social interaction likely happened with family and
close friends before this stage, kids generally start to expand their social interactions to
groups of peers outside the “inner circle” dynamic at this point.
Middle Adolescence (15-17 Years Old)
● Physical Development. At this point, most children reach their adult height. Males
often begin to focus on exercising and grooming. Females at this stage tend to be be
very aware of their physical appearance, too.
● Intellectual Development. As children move to this stage, they generally develop the
ability to think through and solve complex problems for the first time. They also become
more willing and able to think about the future and what it holds for them.
● Emotional Development. This can be a weird emotional time as they’ll often be
striving for independence while at the same time craving the security provided by you
(the parents) and their home.
● Social Development. At this point, there’s typically a focus on finding peer groups and
friends that they can confide in. Also, this is generally the first time they think about
forming romantic relationships.

Late Adolescence (18-21 Years Old)

● Physical Development. While much of their physical development will be over at this
point, it’s often the case that they become more interested in fitness and maintaining a
strong and attractive physical appearance.

● Intellectual Development. By this stage, they’re often able to see the “bigger picture”
and develop a better understanding of how their choices and actions affect their long-
term future. It’s also often the case that they begin to develop “street smarts” at this
stage.

● Emotional Development. At this point, they’ll generally begin to develop more

confidence in themselves as their social circles expand and romantic relationships
become front-of-mind. This can also be a very stressful time, as it’s often the first time
they’re forced to think about their career choice.

● Social Development. As they near the end of adolescence and begin to develop more
confidence, it’s often the case that their social circles begin to expand beyond the
“cliques” that were common during their middle adolescence.
 Common Sexually Transmitted Diseases

 HPV (Human Papillomavirus) - HPV stands for human papillomavirus. It's the most
common sexually transmitted infection. HPV is usually harmless and goes away by
itself, but some types can lead to cancer or genital warts.

 Chlamydia. - Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted disease. It is caused by

bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis. It can infect both men and women. Women can
get chlamydia in the cervix, rectum, or throat. Men can get chlamydia in the urethra
(inside the penis), rectum, or throat.

 Gonorrhea. - Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that can infect both
men and women. It can cause infections in the genitals, rectum, and throat. It is a very
common infection, especially among young people ages 15-24 years.

 Syphilis. - Syphilis is a bacterial infection usually spread by sexual contact. The

disease starts as a painless sore — typically on your genitals, rectum or mouth. Syphilis
spreads from person to person via skin or mucous membrane contact with these sores.

 Herpes Simplex. - Herpes simplex is a viral infection caused by the herpes simplex
virus. Infections are categorized based on the part of the body infected. Oral herpes
involves the face or mouth. It may result in small blisters in groups often called cold
sores or fever blisters or may just cause a sore throat.

 Trichomoniasis. - Trichomoniasis (or “trich”) is a very common sexually transmitted

disease (STD). It is caused by infection with a protozoan parasite called Trichomonas
vaginalis. Although symptoms of the disease vary, most people who have the parasite
cannot tell they are infected.
 HIV/AIDS. - HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It's a virus that breaks
down certain cells in your immune system (your body's defense against diseases that
helps you stay healthy). When HIV damages your immune system, it's easier to get
really sick and even die from infections that your body could normally fight off.
Contraception (Disease Prevention & Family Planning)

Contraception aims to prevent pregnancy. A woman can get pregnant if a man's sperm
reaches one of her eggs (ova). Contraception tries to stop this happening by: keeping
the egg and sperm apart. stopping egg production.

Synthetic Methods

Intrauterine Methods - An intrauterine device (IUD), also known as an intrauterine

system (IUS), is a small, T-shaped device that is inserted into the uterus to prevent
pregnancy. A health care provider inserts the device. An IUD can remain in place and
function effectively for many years at a time
Implants - Implants are implantable rods. Each rod is matchstick-sized, flexible, and
plastic. The method has a failure rate of less than 1%.3 A physician surgically inserts
the rod under the skin of the woman's upper arm.
Short-Acting Hormonal Methods - Hormonal methods of birth control use hormones
to regulate or stop ovulation and prevent pregnancy. Ovulation is the biological process
in which the ovary releases an egg, making it available for fertilization. Hormones can
be introduced into the body through various methods, including pills, injections, skin
patches, transdermal gels, vaginal rings, intrauterine systems, and implantable rods.
Male condoms - This condom is a thin sheath that covers the penis to collect sperm
and prevent it from entering the woman's body. Male condoms are generally made of
latex or polyurethane. Latex or polyurethane condoms reduce the risk of spreading
sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
Female condoms - These are thin, flexible plastic pouches. A portion of the condom is
inserted into a woman's vagina before intercourse to prevent sperm from entering the
uterus. The female condom also reduces the risk of STDs. Female condoms are
disposed of after a single use.
Tubal ligation - is a surgical procedure in which a doctor cuts, ties, or seals the
fallopian tubes. This procedure blocks the path between the ovaries and the uterus. The
sperm cannot reach the egg to fertilize it, and the egg cannot reach the uterus.12
Vasectomy - is a surgical procedure that cuts, closes, or blocks the vas deferens. This
procedure blocks the path between the testes and the urethra.13 The sperm cannot
leave the testes and cannot reach the egg. It can take as long as 3 months for the
procedure to be fully effective. A backup method of contraception is used until tests
confirm that there is no sperm in the semen.