UNDERSTANDING THE SELF
THE PHYSICAL SELF
Physical self encompasses not only physical
attributes like face, body structure, and fitness, but also
physical competencies, worth valuation, and beauty
perception.
THE PHYSUCAL SELF; THE BIOLOGICAL BLUEPRINT
The philosophical statement "essential is
invisible to the eye" refers to physiological processes
that trigger bodily changes and sustain our survival,
including shape, height, weight, skin color, hair color,
and more.
HEREDITY - Heredity is the transfer of traits from
parents to offspring, based on specific information
within a gene, resulting in physical traits inherited from
both parents..
 GENOTYPE - refers to the specific information
imbedded within our genes; not all genotypes
translate to an observed physical characteristic.
Can only be determined through blood testing.
 PHENOTYPE -is the physical expression of a
particular trait. One’s phenotype can be directly
observed.
OUR BIOLOGICAL BLUEPRINT; GENES
According to the National Human Genome
Research Institute, the gene is considered the basic unit
of inheritance. Genes are passed from parents to
offspring and contain the information needed to specify
physical and biological traits. (Eric Green)
 DOMINANT RECESSIVE GENES – are dependent
on alleles, which are alternative versions of
each gene.
 HUMAN CELLS – carry 2 copies of
chromosomes, they have versions of each
genes.
 CHROMOSOMES – each individual carries a 23
pairs of chromosomes - are threadlike bodies in
nucleus of cell and a storage unit of gene.
 SEX CHROMOSOMES – also known as the 23rd
pair of chromosome, it determines the sex of
the individual.
- XX – a combination which indicates
a female.
- XY – a combination which indicates
male.
DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID (DNA)
DNA, a nucleic acid containing genetic
instructions for individual development, is crucial for
establishing paternity, maternity, and crime
identification. It triggers physical growth and
maturation from birth to adulthood.
Ex. A brown skin mom was dominant gene and
the white skin dad is the recessive gene.
 Each individuals carries 23 pairs of
chromosomes. The 23rd pair is the sex
chromosomes; determine the sex of an
individual.
 Maturation is known as the completion of
growth of a genetic character within an
organism. It enables man to walk, run and talk
which are evident in the adolescent stage.
THE PHYSICAL SELF; ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONING
Genetic information influences physical
features, but environmental factors like social networks,
societal expectations, and cultural practices also shape
our physical self as we grow.
 Family - being our first social group, forms a
crucial foundation of our development,
including that of our physical self. Aside from
factors of heredity, our family is also primarily
responsible for how we take care of our bodies.
 Person’s body type - One aspect of physical
beauty; contemporary media has portrayed slim
bodies as the ideal type for women and
muscular bodies for men.
THE PHYSICAL SELF; ACHIEVING PHISICAL WELL-BEING
The Physical Self: Achieving Physical Well-being
There is nothing wrong with enhancing our physical self.
What is problematic is when we focus too much on
physical beauty and disregard everything else. How do
we take care of ourselves and our body? Here are just
some tips:
1. Healthy eating
2. Embracing a healthy lifestyle
3. Having the right hygiene
4. Confidence in ourselves is our best make-up
 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF
THE SEXUAL SELF
What is Sexuality?
Sexuality is experienced from childhood to old
age through body, roles, beliefs, and relationships.
Young people are interested in sexual orientation and
sexuality, experimenting to understand and verify their
sexuality, leading to high risk-taking behaviors. This is a
natural and nurtured process.
SEXUAL CONCEPTS:
1. Gender Identity – in the mind
2. Sexual Orientation – to whom are you sexually
attracted,
3. Gender Expression – how you move and what
you wear.
4. Biological Sex – depends on hormones and
genes
Sexual orientation
Individuals' identities can change over time,
ranging from heterosexual to homosexual, and often
undergo a process of discovery due to uncertainty..
Various Experiences
Clothing and gestures do not necessarily
indicate a person's gender. Lesbians may exhibit
masculine actions and clothing, while gay men may be
both feminine and masculine. In gay and lesbian
couples, it is essential to balance the roles of "wife" and
"husband.
Everybody desires to be Happy
Everyone desires happiness, regardless of
sexual orientation or gender identity. It includes
happiness in relationships, physical/sexual relationships,
freedom from diseases, acceptance from society, and
productive lives, contributing to the community.
4 AREAS OF SEXUALITY:
1. Physical
2. Emotional
3. Psychological
4. Spiritual
Focus on the body
 A vital aspect of one’s identity is the sexual,
encompassing biological, physical, emotional
and social domains.
 Adolescence is marked by physical changes and
secondary sexual characteristics, leading to
physiological responses and beliefs related to
sex.
 Adolescence is characterized by peak sexual
curiosity, driven by biological and socio-cultural
forces, leading to adolescents engaging in
sexual activity.
SEXUAL SELF; THE BIOLOGY OF SEX
 Sex is a biological feature that differentiates
males from females, characterized by secondary
sexual characteristics during puberty and
adolescence.
 Males experience hair growth, voice deepening,
and muscle development, while females
experience menarche and changes in hips,
breast, and skin.
 When physiological changes are triggered
within individual’s reproductive system, an
adolescent is likely to experience sexual urges.
 When adolescent feel sexual urges, they are
likely engaging in sexual activities that would
satisfy those urges.
 During adolescence stage, it is common
occurrence to watch and read pornographic
materials, engage in kissing and petting and
perform masturbation, the act of stimulating
one’s genitals for sexual pleasure.
SEXUAL SELF; SEXUAL IDENTITY AND GENDER
ORIENTATION
Sexual identity - An inherent or immutable enduring
emotional, romantic or sexual attraction to other
people. Note: an individual’s sexual orientation is
independent of their gender identity.
Gender identity - One's innermost concept of self as
male, female, a blend of both or neither – how
individuals perceive themselves and what they call
themselves. One's gender identity can be the same or
 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF
different from their sex assigned at birth. (I identify
myself as a woman through my clothing)
Sexual identity and gender orientation our self-concept
is shaped by our sexuality, which shapes our beliefs and
behaviors. While gender orientation and sexual identity
are social constructs, it's crucial to recognize and be
responsible for our self-expression. This includes
understanding the consequences of our actions and
regulating our sexual behavior, as it impacts our overall
well-being.
SEXUAL INTERCOURSE
Sexual intercourse, also known as copulation, is
the primary method of human reproduction, where the
male's penis enters the female's vagina. Teenagers
engage in this for intimacy, pleasure, peer pressure,
rebellion, exploitation, and curiosity.
PHYSICAL RISKS
 Unintended pregnancy
 Risk of miscarriage
 Emotional stress
 Health risk for the mother and the infant.
RISK FOR THE MOTHER & FATHER
 Financial instability
 Emotional and social impact
 Educational disruptions
 Relationship dynamics
RISK FOR ACQUIRING SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED
DISSEASES (STD’s)
Engaging in unprotected sexual intercourse or
having multiple sexual partners can increase the risk of
acquiring STDs. Common STDs include:
- Syphilis
- Gonorrhea
- Chlamydia
- Genital Warts
- Symptoms of these STDs can
include a range of physical
discomforts such as burning
sensations, warts, sores, abnormal
discharges and more.
OBSSESION TO HAVE ABEAUTIFUL FACE AND BODY
1. Michael Jackson’s tragic transformation
2. Demand for cosmetic procedures and skin
whitening.
3. Eating disorders – anorexia nervosa and bulimia
4. Malnutrition from improper dieting.
THE GOLDEN RATIO (the perfect face)
People often seek the "Golden Ratio" for a
perfect face, driven by dissatisfaction with their
appearance and attraction to conventionally beautiful
individuals. However, beauty ideals vary, and the
pursuit of perfection can impact self-esteem and
relationships.
BODY ART AND BODY SYMBOL - Then and now,
practice tattooing, scarification, piercing, and body
Painting is another way of self-expression for some
people.
46 TERMS THAT DESCRIBE SEXUAL ATTRACTION,
BEHAVIOR, AND ORIENTATION
WHY DOES IT MATTER?
Understanding your sexuality is important
because it helps you know yourself better,
communicate your desires, and respect others'
identities. It also fosters supportive communities and
healthy relationships.
1. Sapiosexual - A word used to describe those
who experience attraction based on
intelligence, rather than sex or gender.
2. Sexual attraction - Sexual attraction refers to
experiencing sexual desire or arousal in relation
to another person or group of people.
3. Sex-averse - Sex-averse describes those who
are asexual and are averse to or extremely
disinterested in sex or sexual behavior.
4. Sex-favorable - On the spectrum of asexuality,
sex-favorable is viewed as the “opposite” of
sex-repulsed and describes those who are
asexual, and in certain situations can have
favorable or positive feelings toward sex.
 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF
5. Sex-indifferent - Sex-indifferent describes those
who are asexual and feel indifferent or neutral
about sex or sexual behavior.
6. Sexual orientation or sexuality - Sexual
orientation is about who you’re attracted to and
who you feel drawn to romantically,
emotionally, and sexually.
7. Sex-repulsed - Similar to sex-averse, sex-
repulsed is on the spectrum of asexuality and
describes those who are asexual and are
repulsed by or extremely disinterested in sex or
sexual behavior.
8. Skoliosexual - A sexual orientation that
describes those who are sexually attracted to
people with non-cisgender gender identities,
such as people who are nonbinary,
genderqueer, or Trans.
9. Spectra sexual - A term that describes people
who are sexually or romantically attracted to
multiple or varied sexes, genders, and gender
identities but not necessarily all or any.
10. Straight - Also known as heterosexual, straight
describes people who experience sexual,
romantic, or emotional attraction to individuals
of the “opposite” gender (e.g., male vs. female,
man vs. woman) or a different gender.
MATERIAL SELF
“a man’s self is the sum of all that he can call his” - crucial aspect of human identity, often reflected in self-
William James
 The material self pertains objects or even
people which have the label “mine”
 Such possessions are viewed as extensions of
individual identity
3 COMPONENTS OF MATERIAL SELF
 The constituents
- Material self
- Social self
- Spiritual self
- Pure ego
 The feelings( the feeling/emotion they arouse)
 self-seeking and self-preservation ( the action
we project after our emotion)
4 COMPOSITIONS OF MATERIAL SELF – William James
1. Body ( the vessel for us to communicate in the
world), the way we express our self through our
body (tattooing, piercing, etc)
2. Clothing – expressing our self through clothing
3. Immediate family - our family are huge part of
our selfhood, whatever happens to them affects
us.
4. Home - the nest of our selfhood, Our
experiences in our home are recorded and
marked on particular parts and things in our
home
SYMBOL OF COMPLETION - A theory of symbolic self-
completion can now be spelled out, using the concepts
of "commitment to goals," "symbols of completeness,"
and "social reality.
COMMITMENT TO SELF DEFINING-GOALS - Goal-
specific tension is active only when a person is
psychologically involved in the pursuit of the goal, with
stronger resumption effects when the task is personally
important and vice versa. Goals are defined by
interaction with others and social recognition.
SYMBOLS OF COMPLETENESS - Self-definition is a
descriptions and status symbols. These symbols can be
categorized into three groups: background experience,
occupying a position that furthers relevant activities, or
performance of the act itself. For example, a person
may be recognized as a scientist or a musician by a
diploma, while a position like vice-president or musician
might be recognized by a high level of activity in these
fields. (INTANGIBLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS)
SOCIAL REALITY - Progress towards self-defining goals
relies on social reality factor acknowledgment from
others. This concept of "broadening social reality"
 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF
enhances the sense of completeness by enabling more
people to recognize the self-definition's completeness.

DIGITAL SELF

3 TYPES OF ADOLESCENT SELF-ESTEEM

1. SELF- CONCEPT -
 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF
THE SPIRITUAL SELF RELIGION - ORGANIZED
 Organized belief in the supernatural
Religion - This is a specific set of organized beliefs and
 Fulfils numerous social and psychological needs
practices, usually shared by a community or group.
 In the last 10,000 years, no group of people has
gone/existed within religion.
Spirituality - This is more of an individual practice, and
 When people have common beliefs they form a
has to do with having a sense of peace and purpose. It
communal religion. Organized religions
also relates to the process of developing beliefs around
theoretically enable people to understand the
the meaning of life and connection with others, without
world and be part of a historic community of
any set spiritual values.
believers, a basic component of human life.

Why do people practice spirituality?

RELIGION – SYMBOLS
Life can be full of ups and downs, good times
• Religions make use of many symbols
and bad. Many people see spirituality as a great way to
• Norms, words, ideas and objects that point to other
seek comfort and peace in their life. It can often be
objects.
practised alongside things like yoga, which ultimately
• When put together, these symbols become a system
focus on stress relief and release of emotion.
of knowledge. (System of Knowledge).
•As an iconic representation intenRded to represent a
THE IMPORTANCE OF RELIGION IN THE SOCIETY
specific concept within a given religion
Religion provides mental peace, explains
individual sufferings, instills social virtues like truth,
RELIGION – Religion is an organized, community-based
honesty, love, and discipline, converts animal qualities
system of beliefs, while spirituality resides within the
to human qualities, promotes social welfare, and
individual and what they personally believe. (NAMI
provides recreation. It creates values, promotes social
Blog, 2016)
cohesion, and strengthens self-confidence. Religious
institutions control individual behavior, influence
MYTH - myth is a means of bypassing reason and
political systems, and influence economics. Religion also
tapping straight into the more dominant emotional and
strengthens self-confidence in various fields.
irrational aspects of the soul. It is also a means of
reaching beyond the limits of reason and language to
RELIGION AND ITS ROLE IN THE SOCIETY
grasp at profound, even mystical, truths – a means, if
 Spiritual guidance
you like, of saying the unsayable.
 Moral and ethical foundations
 Community and social cohesion
RELIGION-MYTH - Religion is a set of beliefs that
 Rituals and ceremonies includes the belief in the presence of at least one of the
 Social justice and advocacy following: a human soul or spirit, a god or higher entity,
 Worldview and identity formation or one's own self after death. Myths are traditional
 Inspiration and hope stories recognised as history that help to explain a
people's world view. (ADAM & EVE-CHRISTIANITY,
THEORIES IN RELIGION MUHAMMAD AND THE ANGEL- ISLAM)
1. Functionalist theory
2. Psychological theories MODERN “MAJOR” RELIGIONS HAVE THEIR MYTHS
3. Evolutionary theory  Adam & Eve-Christianity
4. Cognitive theory  Muhammad And The Angel- Islam
5. Sociological theories  Brahma, Krishna, Vishnu, Etc [Hinduism]
 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF
BENEFITS OF SPIRITUALITY
 Helps you cope up during stressful times
 It can alleviate symptoms of depression
 It can improve connections with other
 Serves as motivator
 Creates greater appreciation for life
RELIGION-RITUALS
RITUALS - A ritual is a sequence of activities involving
gestures, words, actions, or revered objects. Rituals may
be prescribed by the traditions of a community,
including a religious community.
Religion-rituals - Religious have rituals/ ritu. A religious
ritual is any repetitive and patterned behaviour that is
preserved by or tied to a religious institution, belief or
costum.
2 types of rituals:
1. Calendrical(calendric) - rituals occur at regular
intervals on particular time of the week, month,
year or two mark a period of time since a
significant event.
Calendrical ritual renew the communities
connection to the sacred by marking important
transitions such as a change between seasons,
the first harvest, or planting time.
2. Based on crisis - Religious rituals, including rites
of passage, are crucial during crises, often
evolving to suit changing needs, including birth,
puberty, marriage, conception, and death.
Rites of passage - Rites of passage are ceremonial
events or rituals that mark significant transitions in a
person's life. These transitions often include changes in
social status, age, or cultural identity. Rites of passage
are present in many societies and play a crucial role in
shaping individual and collective identities. They can be
religious, cultural, or social in nature and are designed
to symbolize and facilitate the individual's or group's
transition from one life stage to another.
There are typically three stages in a rite of passage:
1. Separation: The individual or group is separated
from their previous status or identity. This can
involve physical or symbolic acts, such as
leaving home, wearing special clothing, or
undergoing a ritual cleansing.
2. Transition or liminality: This is the phase where
the individual is in a state of ambiguity, neither
here nor there. It's a time of change and
learning, often involving challenges or tests.
This phase is considered sacred and
transformative, and it may involve rituals,
teachings, or ceremonies that help the person
navigate the shift.
3. Incorporation: In this final stage, the individual
or group re-enters society with their new status
or identity. This can involve another set of
rituals or ceremonies, symbolizing the
successful completion of the transition. The
person is now recognized as having a new social
role or identity within the community.
Examples of rites of passage include:
1. Birth ceremonies: Welcoming a new life into
the community.
2. Puberty rituals: Celebrating the transition from
childhood to adulthood.
3. Wedding ceremonies: Marking the transition
from being single to being married.
4. Funeral rites: Acknowledging and guiding the
deceased into the afterlife.
5. Initiation ceremonies: Inducting individuals into
a social, religious, or cultural group.
7 WAYS TO IMPROVE OUR SPIRITUAL HEALTH
1. Explore your spiritual core
2. Look for deeper meanings
3. Get it out
4. Try yoga
5. Travel
6. Think positively
7. Take time to meditate
UNDERSTANDING THE SELF