1/30/23

U N D E R S TA N D I N G
THE SELF
BY : DR. HAZEL S. MARTINEZ

https://youtu.be/QsCVYJyWg6A

THE SELF AS
A SOCIAL
CONSTRUCT

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LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. Discuss the Different representations and conceptualization
of the self from various disciplines and perspectives.
2. Compare and contrast how the self has been represented
across different disciplines and perspectives
3. Examine the different influences, factors and forces that
shape the self.

SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES:
THE SELF AS A PRODUCT OF
SOCIETY

SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES

B A S E D O N T H E A S S U MP T I O N T H AT H U MA N
BEHAVIOR IS INFLUENCED BY GROUP LIFE.

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SOCIOLOGICAL
PERSPECTIVES
• The self does not depend on biological
predispositions ;rather it is a product of social
interaction
• The sense of self emerges as the individual partakes in
the society.
• While the individual seeks for solid and stable self
identity in modern society, the post-modern individual
tries to avoid fixation and keeps the options open for
self improvement.

W H AT I S S O C I O LO GY ?

S O C I O L O GY
• A scientific study of social groups and human
relationships generates new insights into the
interconnectedness between the self and other
people.
• Sociologist offer theories to explain how the self
emerges as a product of social experience.

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CHARLES
HORTON COOLEY

• Introduces THE LOOKING –

GLASS SELF
• to highlights that the people
whom a person interacts with
become a mirror in which he or
she views himself or herself.

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GEORGE HERBERT MEAD

• The view that a person develops a sense of self
through social interaction and not the biological
preconditions of the interaction .
• THEORY OF THE SOCIAL SELF

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3. Game Stage (early school

years) Children understand
their social position and the
positions of those around them.
• Children become concerned
about the demands and
expectations of others.
• Generalized Other (Later
school years) The concept of
socially acceptable behavior
is internalized.

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ANTHROPOLOGICAL
VIEW OF THE SELF
• Knowing the self requires understanding our
society and its culture.
• How it provokes us to make decisions which are
culturally influenced and socially constructed .
• One big chunk in helping analyze our self-
understanding.

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How influential is culture to your understanding?

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This movie depicts how a grieving

family is faced with many
superstitious beliefs and traditions
and their influences in the family’s
decisions as they prepare for the
interment of their dead loved one.

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THE SELF
AS
EMBEDDED
IN
C U LT U R E

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• Anthropology and Sociology are very

much related if not intertwined
• ANTHROPOLOGY- is the
inclusive study of human race , its
culture and society and its physical
development,
• SOCIOLOGY – scientific study of
Human life, social groups, whole
societies and the human world whose
subject matter is our behavior as
social beings in relationship with
many other people.

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C U LT U R E , S O C I E T Y, N O R M S
• The very foundation then of the self in anthropology is
understanding man in light of its cultural context , while sociology
digs into understanding the self in reference to the behavior of the
society.
• NORMS – are what dictates our behavior in the society.
• As a sociological concept, culture is made up of all the ideas,
beliefs, behaviors, and products common to and defining a group’s
way of life.

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M AT E R I A L C U LT U R E
• The material culture and Non-material culture, its two (2) component are essential in
understanding how the self is influenced by it.
• MATERIAL CULTURE- consist of human technology- all the things that people make
and use.
• This is the physical manifestation of culture itself
• The goods we buy and the products we use, are also examples of these
physical aspect of culture.

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How would you feel

Quick Assessment:
about these things if you happened
to have it? J or L

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How would you feel

Quick Assessment:
about these things if you happened
to have it? J or L

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How would you feel

Quick Assessment:
about these things if you happened
to have it? J or L

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N O N - M AT E R I A L C U LT U R E
• Non- Material Culture- as inclusive of the intangible human creations that
includes beliefs, values, norms and symbols.
• Basic Elements of Non-material Culture
• ➜ Norms
➜ Conventions and customs
➜ Beliefs and faiths
➜ Morals and value system
➜ Thoughts

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EXAMPLES OF NON-MATERIAL CULTURE

• ➜ In U.S. culture, freedom is the essence of living. They

want their own choice of living, to follow the faith of their
choice, choose their profession, enter into markets, etc.
• Even the social freedom in the U.S. is much more as
compared to some nations that are ruled by traditions.

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EXAMPLES OF NON-MATERIAL CULTURE

➜ Certain things are considered taboo or bad luck in certain

countries. In some nations, pre-marriage sex and having a child out-
of-wedlock is considered taboo.
Polygamy is illegal in most countries of the world, however, it still
practiced and is legal in a few parts of Central Asia, Africa, etc.
Most cultures in the world have not accepted homosexuality, and the
struggle is still on for their rights.

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EXAMPLES OF NON-MATERIAL CULTURE

• ➜ There are certain food restrictions too, such as, in some

cultures, consuming pork is prohibited, etc.

➜ Norms and symbols are different in different cultures.
Certain gestures may be considered offensive in some nations,
while they might have positive interpretations in other nations.
Therefore, while traveling, you’ve got to be extra careful with
the gestures you choose to make.

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EXAMPLES OF NON-MATERIAL CULTURE

• ➜In some nations, caste and social discrimination is so

rampant that inter-caste marriages are not allowed.
➜ There is a profound change today in overall culture.
Contraception, abortion, and family planning
techniques were not accepted, until recently.
➜ Nuclear families have replaced the traditional joint
family system in many places.

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Ideology
• An ideology based on the primacy of individual
freedom; values the freedom and worth of the
indvidual, sometimes over the security and welfare
of the group. A supporter of the principles of
individualism might be referred to as an
INDIVIDUALIST.

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Collectivism
• An ideology based on the primacy of collective
welfare; values the goals of the group and the
common good over the goals of any one individual.
A supporter of the principles of collectivism might
be referred to as a COLLECTIVIST.

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Individualist
• “Me” consciousness
• Emphasis is placed on the self
• Communicate as individuals
and pay little attention to a
person’s group membership
▫ Decision making is based on
the individual
• Conversations are based on the
word’s “independence, self,
privacy and rights
(Rothwell, 2010)
• Slogan: I GOTTA BE ME; I
GOTTA BE FREE.
Collectivist
• We” consciousness
• Closely linked to one or more group
• Commitment to valued group (family,
organizations) is important
• Downplay personal goals in favor of
advancing goals of valued group
Proverb and Adages:
• Chinese proverb: No need to know the
person, only the family
• African Adage: It takes a village to raise
a child

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THANK
YO U

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