CHAPTER 1

THE SELF: ITS NATURE & SIGNIFICANCE

MARICRIS B. GUZMAN, LPT, MST

INSTRUCTOR
 Intended Learning Outcomes:

A. Define the concept ‘the self’ and ‘identity’;

B. Explain the process of understanding the ‘self’;

C. Recognize the concepts associated with the self;

and

D. Differentiate the quadrants in the Johari Window

 What is SELF?

SELF-CONCEPT SELF-ESTEEM

SELF-UNDERSTANDING

• It is thinking and a feeling being within ‘us’ and within ‘ourselves’. Generally, is the
distinct identity which is a summation of the experiences of an individual.
THE NATURE OF SELF
 Self-awareness

- understanding your own needs, desires,

failings, habits and everything else that
makes you tick.
 Consciousness
- the awareness of one’s external events,
awareness of internal sensations,
awareness of one’s self as a unique being
having experiences, and of one’s thoughts
about these experiences.
 Identity

- a set of behavioral or personal

characteristics by which an individual is
recognizable as a member of a group.
 Self-esteem

- a global evaluation that combines

assessment of various aspect of one’s
self concept, each is which is built up
from specific behaviors and experiences.
 Self-concept
-an organized collection of beliefs about
the self.

-is an overarching idea we have about who

we are—physically, emotionally, socially,
spiritually, and in terms of any other
aspects that make up who we are (Neill,
2005).
 Self-ego

- that portion of the human personality which

is experienced as the “self” or “I” and is in
contact with the external world
through perception.
 How does a man acquire a deep
understanding of himself?

 To acquire a deep understanding of one’s self,

one should journey towards the determination
of one’s happiness, contentment, and
fulfillment through his experiences.
 To what extent do the essence of
humanity and the meaning of our
existence demand?

 It demands an appreciation of who we are as a

person, as a member of the community and as a
member of a larger institution of people.
THE PROCESS OF DISCOVERING THE SELF

 Adolescence- transitional phase of growth and

development between childhood and adulthood
(From 10 years old to 19 years old).

 Hormonal Imbalance- is the deficiency or excessive

hormone production that can cause many health
problems.

 Life learning- is a continuous flux, an unending

adventure onto the realms of life complexities
In what phase of growth does a
person often experience the
greatest challenge in uncovering his
true identity and why he struggles
in this phase of his life?
There is still much
that needs to be
discovered in the
individual “self” as we
go through the
process of discovering
our unique identity.
 Joseph Luft and Harrington Ingham (1995)

The bigger your windows on the left side of the pane; the more self-aware you are.
 ARENA or OPEN

These are traits or descriptions that one sees in

the ‘self’ like that perceived by the significant
others.

Example is being outgoing and sociable. This is

also known as ‘the public self’ as it is evident to
the self and to others.
 FACADE or HIDDEN

These are traits that are known to the self but not
to the significant others.

An example includes ‘being emotional and

sensitive despite being a man.

This quadrant is also known to be the ‘hidden’

quadrant as it covers those that we desire not to
expose to others.
 BLIND SPOT

This includes traits that the subject is unaware

of, but the significant others claim to be
processed by the subject. To characterize the
subject such as ‘being down to earth and soft-
spoken’.
 UNKNOWN

This quadrant covers traits that both parties do

not recognize and consider as comprising the
subject’s traits.

This is a mystery that waits to unfold in the proper

time. Such ideally means that there is still much
that needs to be discovered in the individual ‘self’ as
we go through the process of discovering our unique
identity.