I.

Physical and Sexual Self

A. What shapes body image\
- Can be largely influence by the environment of the person
- Can also be the kind of feedbacks they receive from friends, families, etc…
- Can be positive or negative
B. Components
a. Cognitive Component - includes cognitive structure that provides one’s
knowledge of one’s body
b. Behavioral Component - are actions performed by an individual in order to
conceptualize what they think society’s perception of a body should be.
c. Affective Component - - includes feelings, emotions, and attitudes of an
individual about one’s body.
C. Cultural Factors Influencing Body Dissatisfaction
a. Ethnic Identity - sense of belongingness and attachment to their ethnic group.
This includes dedication, commitment, and participation in the group.
b. Acculturation - maintenance of cultural processes and contact participation of
members of two cultures. Higher acculturation happens when the native culture
has low maintenance, and there is a great amount of contact participation of the
dominant culture.
D. Healthy Body Image
a. Educate oneself
b. Highlight positive goals
c. Limit exposure to media
d. Limit negative description of oneself, highlight the positive ones
E. Sexual Self
a. Sexual orientation - describes how a person feels, and only that person knows
what it is like to be who they are. (attraction)
b. Gender identity - refers to a person’s identification (psychological) with a specific
gender, rather than a person’s attraction to people
F. Theories
a. Freud’s psychoanalytic theory
- states that sex is one of the key forces in human life.
- Sex drive or sex energy termed as the libido is one of the two major
motivations of human behavior, the other being the death instinct or
thanatos.
b. learning theory
- states that human sexual behavior is not only biological because actions
can be learned.
- operates through classical conditioning, operant conditioning, behavior
modification, and social learning.
 1. Classical conditioning happens when a neutral stimulus is
repeatedly paired with an unconditioned stimulus generating an
unconditioned response.
2. Operant conditioning is the process by which rewards or
punishments determine the frequency of a behavior.
3. Social learning is the process by which sexual behavior is
learned not only through operant conditioning but also through
imitation and identification.
G. Human Sexual Response or HSR among Males and Females
a. Men develop sexual responsiveness at an earlier age than women
b. Men become sexually stimulated as they reach adolescence and the peak of
their response to sexual stimuli is reached within three to four years after the
onset of adolescence.
c. Females’ responsiveness to sexual stimuli happens in their late twenties or early
thirties. It is the hormones that best explain the internal factors to which animals
respond to sexual stimuli.
H. Sexual Response Phases
1. Excitement Phase - start of sexual arousal.
- The physiological effect of this phase
- Physiological effect
- erection happens for the males
- lubrication of the vagina, swelling of the clitoris, and
erection of the nipples for the females.
2. Plateau Phase - The penile erection becomes more erect while the vaginal
entrance becomes smaller. Myotonia, the contraction of the genital and bodily
muscles, continues to build up. During this phase, vasocongestion and myotonia
continue to increase until enough tensions are reached for orgasm.
Vasocongestion
- swelling of bodily tissues caused by increased vascular blood flow
and a localized increase in blood pressure.
- Typical causes in humans includes menstruation,sexual arousal,
REM sleep, strong emotions, illnesses and allergic reactions
3. Orgasm Phase
- consists of rhythmic contractions of the pelvic organs.
- Males - it ends in the release of the semen through the urethra (passage
way for semen)
- Females, the uterus descends as the cervix contracts rhythmically.

*difference between the males’ orgasm from the females is that females
does not leave any tangible evidence.
***Therefore, there are cases wherein women may think that they are
having an orgasm when they are not, they have never had an orgasm, or
they mistake intense arousal for orgasm.
 4. Resolution Phase- when the body returns to the unaroused state.
*females - there is a reduction of the swelling of the breasts,
- the sex flush disappears,
-the clitoris returns to its normal position and size,
-the ballooning of the vagina and the uterus shrink.

*Males - there is detumescence or the loss of penile erection.

- the males undergo a refractory period, during which they cannot be
aroused again. However, this period does not occur for the females.
-That is why females are capable of multiple orgasms that occur within a
short period of time.

I. Myths
a. You can’t get pregnant the first time you have sex
b. You can’t get pregnant if the guy pulls out or if we have sex standing up
c. Condoms are reusable
d. Peeing or washing after sex will prevent pregnancy
e. Penis size matters
f. Oral sex is safer compared to vaginal sex

II. SELF: Collectivism and Individualism

A. Individualism
- The concept of giving priority to one’s own goals over group goals and defining
one’s identity in terms of personal attributes rather than group identifications
B. Collectivism
- Giving priority to the goals of one’s group (often one’s extended family or work
group) and defining one’s identity accordingly
C. Interdependent Self
- Construing one’s identity in relation to others.
Emphasis on:
1) external, public features such as status, roles, and relationships
2) belonging and fitting-in
3) occupying one’s proper place and engaging in appropriate action
4) being indirect in communication and “reading others’ minds.” (Singelis,1995)
D. Independent Self
- Construing one’s identity as an autonomous self.
Emphasis on:
1) internal abilities, thoughts, and feelings
2) being unique and expressing the self
3) realizing internal attributes and promoting one’s own goals
4) being direct in communication (Singelis,1995)
E. Language
a. American students were more likely to explain that it allows self-expression,
b. Korean students focused on how language allows communication with others.
F. Others’ opinion Towards the Self
a. 60 percent of American students said they had seriously dated someone even
though their friends disliked him or her, compared to
b. only 27 percent of Chinese students. Half of the Chinese students said they
would stop dating someone if their parents disapproved, compared with less than
one-third of American students (Zhang & Kline, 2009)
G. Culture and Self-esteem
- Self-esteem in collectivist cultures correlates closely with “what others think of me
and my group.” Self-concept in these cultures is malleable (context-specific)
rather than stable (enduring across situations).
- For those in individualistic cultures, self-esteem is more personal and less
relational
- For Japanese students, happiness comes with positive social engagement—with
feeling close, friendly, and respectful. For American students, it more often
comes with disengaged emotions—with feeling effective, superior, and proud
(Kitayama & Markus, 2000)

H. Holistic and analytical Reasoning

a. Holistic thought involves an orientation to the context or field as a whole.
Characterized by comprehension of the parts of something as intimately
interconnected and explicable only by reference to the whole.
b. Analytic thought involves detachment of the object from its context
I. Attention to object vs field
J. Causal Explanation and prediction
a. Americans are more to decontextualize the object from its context than are East
Asians. Americans would likely explain events by reference to properties of the
object, and that
b. East Asians would be inclined to explain the same events with reference to
interactions between the object and the field
c. East Asians have holistic assumptions about the universe, dictating that all
elements in the universe are somehow interconnected. An object cannot be
understood in isolation from the whole.
d. Westerners hold that the universe consists of separate objects that can be
understood in isolation from one another

K. Similarity and relationships vs categories and rules

- East Asians are more likely to group objects on the basis of similarities and
relationships among the objects, where as
- Americans are more likely to group objects on the basis of categories and rules.
L. Dialectal Reasoning
1. The principle of change.
2. Principle of contradiction
3. Principle of relationship or holism.

Contradiction is to be expected and is not necessarily resolved The goal is to

search for the “middle way
 a. Chinese proverbs were found to have larger proportion of dialectical
proverbs containing contradictions. Chinese undergrads tend to like
dialectical proverbs more than American undergrads.
b. In interpersonal conflicts: Chinese would try to say that both sides had
some merit while Americans were more likely to say that one side or the
other was correct

III. Sociological and Anthropological Self

Self in the Anthropological Process

The self reflects how human adaptations with our social environment increase our chances of
survival. This evolutionary process involves how we establish our identity.

Humans have an evolved capacity to use human social interactions as an efficient tool for
adaptation and survival. This powerful tool is referred to as culture.

CULTURE
- refers to “a system of 1) shared beliefs, 2) values, 3) customs, 4) behaviors, and 5)
artifacts that the members of society use to cope with their world and with one another,
and that are transmitted from generation to generation through learning”.

- Its classic conceptualization has five key qualities, namely, culture is learned, shared,
symbolic, integrated, and adaptive.

- Culture is an ongoing event among people. The moment one is born, one is already
immersed in a culture that eventually one will learn and make use of in interacting with
others. This learning process is referred to as enculturation.

The process of enculturation is not only experienced by one individual but also by others in the
social environment. For example, celebrating Christmas is an event that all Filipino families
engage in.

Symbols, in a culture, have the same meaning across people in that particular culture. The
meanings of these symbols are learned as an individual interacts with the social environment. •
For example, the image of Sto. Nino is seen as an image of hope and providence especially by
the Cebuanos.

Culture is complex for it is – a collection of ideas, experiences, events at different times, and
other elements. As complex as it is, each element in the culture has functions that facilitates the
survival and transmission of the culture from generation to generation.
The cultural experiences in our family and in our religion integrate and serve the function of
maintaining a Filipino identity

Culture is a constantly evolving process. It adapts to the social and environmental pressure
through time and ensures its transmission to succeeding generations. • The social sanctions
imposed in one’s culture is one way to ensure that the cultural values are being practiced. • For
example, Filipinos see pakikisama (getting along with others) as a quality valued in our
interaction with others. A person who does not engage in pakikisama is frowned upon by fellow
Filipinos, which is a form of sanction to that person.

Culture as learned, shared, symbolic, integrated, and adaptive puts forward the idea that our
selfidentity is not entirely shaped by what we believe who we are but by what our ancestors
have transmitted through generations and by what are being learned and shared in our social
environment.

What we are now are multifaceted products of our cultural adaptation

Self in the Sociological Process

Aside from the influence of culture in our self-identity, our experiences in social interaction with
others and in the society also play important roles.

The self as a two-way feedback.

The looking-glass self by Charles Horton Cooley suggests that individuals see themselves
through their interaction with others. Thus, one sees oneself in the feelings, thoughts, and
actions of others.

In the words of Sociologist George Herbert Mead, “the self is social” This social self is learned
by acquiring ideas on what are the behaviors the society wants from the self and the entire
members of the society. These expected behaviors are then followed by all the members as if
they are playing their roles in their society.

In Filipino traditional courtship, for example, society expects that the man initiates the step for
courting whereas the woman is expected to wait for the man and engage in delayed responses.

These expectations of what should and what should not be done in different social situations are
known as norms.

4 Types of Norms
1. Folkways - refer to day-to-day behaviors that people follow in social situations. Praying
before meals is a folkway valued by Filipinos
 2. Mores - when violated results to social sanctions. These are norms that pertain to
morality.
3. Taboos - more stringent than mores such that mentioning or engaging in such
behaviors can elicit extreme negative reaction from others in the society. Incest, –
sexual activity between family members or close relatives, – is a taboo in most cultures.
4. Laws - written expectations of how an individual should behave in social situations. This
type of norms is enforced by an authority in the society. Philippines, as one of the
LGBT-friendly (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) countries in Asia, has an
antidiscrimination act against LGBT community

One is not just influenced by the people and culture iIv.n one’s proximity but also by the people
and culture, which are apart from one’s immediate environment.

Globalization, or the process of the technology-aided widespread of social capital and

information across the globe, has also influenced how one establishes one’s self-identity.

The most influential innovation in the 21st century is the internet and how it changes the
process of socialization through the social media applications. Such innovation forces one’s
culture to adapt and even change, – this is referred to as the adaptive culture.

Even one’s feelings and thoughts are influenced by the social media. For example, an
experimental study found that the newsfeed in an individual’s Facebook account can influence
their mood, such that negative contents facilitates negative mood

The self is not only the product of how one establishes it but a product of one’s interaction, not
only with proximate people and culture but also with the globalized world

IV. SOGIE and the Sexual Self

Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender

SOGIE is not only for LGBTs

SOGIE refers to characteristics common to all human beings because everyone has a sexual
orientation and a gender identity. Also, everyone expresses their gender, not just the lesbian,
gay, bisexual, and transgender people.

A. Biological (Chromosomal) Sex

This can be considered as our "packaging" and is determined by:
1. Our chromosomes (XX for females, XY for males);
 2. Our hormones (estrogen and progesterone for females, testosterone for males
3. Our internal and external genitalia (vulva, clitoris, vagina for females, penis and
testicles for males). About 4% of the population can be defined as "Intersexuals"
born with biological aspects of both sexes to varying degrees

Sex is simply a marker recorded in our birth certificate. (Biological sex is problematic when used
to generalize sex as the totality of one’s sexuality.) Assigned sex is the preferred term

Intersex - describes a condition in which a person is born with a sex that doesn’t fit the typical
definitions of a male or female due to genetic, hormonal, or anatomical differences. Ex. Nancy
Navalta

Gender refers to personal traits and social positions that members of a society attach to being
female and male; refers to femininity and masculinity. Sex is determined by our bodies, gender
is socially defined.

Gender depends on historic, economic and cultural forces, and by definition is constantly
changing

Gender is hierarchical and in most societies it gives more power to men than to women

Gender Identity - how you identify yourself

Gender Expression - how you demonstrate your gender (behavior)

Transgenderis an umbrella term for persons whose gender identity, gender expression or
behavior does not conform to that typically associated with the sex to which they were assigned
at birth.

Trans men and trans women – transition and/or “migrate” from one side of the gender binary to
the other (Ekins & King, 2006; WPATH, 2011)
- Via living in the gender consistent with their identity (24/7)
- Via hormone therapy
- Via voice therapy
- Via sex-reassignment surgery
- Breast/chest surgery
- Genital surgery
- Other interventions e.g., facial feminization

Sexual orientation the physical, spiritual, emotional, romantic, and sexual attraction to
individuals of a particular gender.

Sexual Orientation is NOT sexual preference or a lifestyle.

- Sexual preference and lifestyle implies a choice.
 - Did we choose to be straight? Did we have a choice on who we are attracted to and who
we fall in love with?
- Is being straight a lifestyle?
- Thus, being LGB is not a preference and not a lifestyle!

Sexual orientation has to do with who we get into bed with; our gender identity has something to
do with who we get to bed as

Sexual Behavior
- This is what we do sexually and with whom.
- Though the culture has little or no influence over a persons' primary sexual attractions
(sexual orientation), our culture can heavily influence peoples' actions and sexual
behaviors.
- For example, one may have a "homosexual" orientation, but due to overriding
condemnations against same-sex sexual expression, may "pass" by having sex only with
people of the other sex.
- Our sexual behavior is usually a choice. Though some people claim their sexual
orientation is also a choice, for the vast majority, this doesn't seem to be the case.

Sex Motives
1. Enhancement
2. Intimacy
3. Self Affirmation
4. Coping
5. Peer Pressure
6. Partner Approval

Benefits of Sex
1. Health Benefits
a. improved sense of smell, weight loss, stress reduction, increased immunity, and
decreased risk of prostate cancer
2. Creates Social Bonds
a. reinforces intimate social bonds between individuals to form larger social
structures. The resulting cooperation encourages collective tasks that promote
the survival of each member of the group

Organic or Stress-Induced Disorders

1. Sexual Desire Disorders
a. Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder - abnormally low desire for sexual activity
b. Sexual Aversion Disorder - Fear and disgust of sexual contact
2. Sexual Arousal Disorders
a. Female Sexual Arousal Disorder - desire for sexual activity is present, but
physical discomfort and a lack of pleasure are experienced during sexual activity
 b. Male Erectile Disorder - male cannot maintain an erection long enough to
complete the sexual act
3. Orgasmic Disorders - cannot achieve orgasm through vaginal stimulation, even when
fully aroused
a. Male OD
b. Female OD
4. Sexual Pain Disorders
a. Vaginismus - persistent contractions of the vaginal muscles, causing sex to be
painful
b. Dyspareunia - pain in genitals which occur before, during, or after intercourse
(either sex)

Paraphilias - means by which some people release sexual interest

1. Fetishism - shows a sexual interest in an object, or in a part of the body other than the
sexual organs. (shoes, feet, or underwear)
2. Exhibitionism - getting sexual gratification from showing one's genitals or private areas to
others
3. Voyeurism - gaining sexual pleasure from watching others when they are naked or
engaged in sexual activity. Peeping Tom
4. Frotteurism - sexually aroused through rubbing up against an unwilling person, usually
in a crowded public place
5. Necrophilia - sexual arousal by touching or having an intercourse with a corpse (kind of
fetishism)
6. Transvestism - sexual arousal by wearing the clothing of the opposite sex (kind of
fetishism)

Common Sexually Transmitted Diseases

1. Chlamydia
2. Syphilis
3. Gonorrhea
4. Genital Herpes
5. Genital Warts - HPV
6. AIDS - HIV

How to Protect Spread of STDs

- The ABC Model
- Abstaining from sex
- Be Faithful – Having only one partner
- Condoms – use condoms
- Avoiding IV drug use
- Knowing the symptoms of the various diseases
- Getting regular physicals
Sexual Identity A comprehensive process involving selfdefinition more broadly as a sexual
being that evolves through a multi-stage developmental process, which varies in intensity and
duration depending on the individual. (Worthington et al., 2002)

Processes of Sexual Identity Development.

A. Am I aware and can I identify my own sexual needs? (an internal, subjective experience
of instinct, desire, appetite, biological necessity, impulses, interest, and/or libido with
respect to sex)
B. What are my own personal sexual values? (moral evaluations, judgments, and/or
standards about what is appropriate, acceptable, desirable, and innate sexual behavior.
C. What are my preferred sexual activities? (any behavior that a person might engage in
relating to or based on sexual attraction, sexual arousal, sexual gratification, or
reproduction (e.g., fantasy, holding hands, kissing, masturbation, sexual intercourse)
D. What are my preferred characteristics of sexual partners? (any physical, emotional,
intellectual, interpersonal, economic, spiritual, or other attributes that might be preferred
in a potential or current sexual partner)
E. What are my preferred modes of sexual expression? (any form of communication (verbal
or nonverbal) or direct and indirect signals that a person might use to convey her or his
sexuality (e.g., flirting, eye contact, touching, vocal quality, compliments, suggestive
body movements or postures)).
F. Have I recognized and identified my sexual orientation identity? (one’s personal
selfdefinition as any number of sexual orientation identities, including but not limited to
heterosexual, straight, bicurious, bi/straight, heteroflexible, pansexual, questioning,
bisexual, gay, lesbian, and queer, among others.)