Physical Self

Santrock (2014) said that self understanding is the individual’s cognitive representation
of the self which consists of the substance and the concept of self-conceptions. Self-
understanding can be described as simple to perplex and involved a number of aspects
of the self. It also changes throughout the life span as the person grows older.

CA by Chineth Atiwa
Growing Up
Environmental Influences
As you grow up, you are exposed to environmental
influences that shape your physical self, including those
from your social networks, societal expectations, and
cultural practices that will lead a person to understand
themselves.
Concrete Dimension
The tangible aspect of the person that can be directly
observed or experienced.
Refers to the body, both physical extremities and external
organs, which work together to perform many of its
functions.
Physical self is not just about how you look, not just about
abs and such. It is also about how you nourish your self-
image, self-concept and self-esteem.
Physical Changes
1 Puberty
Santrock (2016) recognized puberty as the most essential marker of the beginning of adolescence.

2 Primary Sexual Changes

The master endocrine gland that controls growth and regulates the functions of all other endocrine
glands including the gonads (ovaries: girls, testes: boys).

3 Secondary Sexual Changes

Estrogen (girls)- increase in height, widening of the hips, and increase in fatty tissues in the breast of
girls.

Androgen and testosterone (boys)- responsible for the boy’s growth of facial and body hair, muscles and
change in the voice.
Factors Affecting Physical Self
1 Hereditary (Nature) 2 Environment (Nurture)
Transmission of traits/characteristics from Sum total of the forces or experiences that
parents to offspring. a person undergoes from conception to old
age.
Through genes, hereditary potentials like
physical, mental, social, emotional, and
moral traits are passed down in generations.

3 Health
Adolescents become preoccupied with their bodies and develop images of what their bodies are like.

Refers to the way one sees himself/herself or the way he/she imagines how he/she looks. It could be
positive or negative.
Factors Affecting Perception
Personal Factors Social Factors
Introspection is the process by which one Attachment Process and Social Appraisal
observes and examines one’s internal state
Maintaining Regulating and Expanding the Self
(mental and emotional) after behaving in a
in Interpersonal Relationship.
certain way.
Cultural Impact
Societal Ideals of The Ideal Physical Appearance Adolescents are Exposed to Perfect Images in All Forms
of Media

Societal Norms That are Reaffirmed by The Media For women: Women should have white, flawless skin, a
small waist, large breasts, and a full back.
Self-Esteem and Body Image

Self-Esteem Body Image

Worth based on some personal or social standard. It is a Perception of their physical self when they look in the
global evaluative dimension of the self. mirror.
Improving Body Image
1 2

Ways to Improve More Ways

Smile a lot. Dress well and be neat.

Take good care of your health. Develop a wholesome attitude toward sex.

Live a well-balanced life. Avoid temptations.