Name: Joseph Nico G.

Savillo
Subject: GESocSci 1 – SC 99

Activity 4.1
1. Describe your real self (who do you think you are?)

In my honest opinion, I really do not know how to start this question. Simply because
I am really not aware of who I really am. Somehow, I should start this way, Nico is a person
who is not aware of his real personality. A doubtful guy who constantly questions the
things that happen around him. Likewise, maybe this could be why he is so awkward to
be with, or probably he is just a clumsy person by nature.

Moreover, in another perspective of him on how he perceives himself, he sees that he

is a type of person that is not very social. A man who really gets annoyed when being in
the general public. On top of that, he also has a principled personality, such that he is an
articulate, specific and goal-oriented person. Other than that, Nico is just somehow a
regular guy that does not do anything extravagant, or maybe he could not just see his
personal impact or significance in this world.

2. Describe your Ideal Self (who do you want to be?)

To begin with, I do not really have any Ideal perspective of myself since I am already
contented with who I am. Even though it makes my world a stricter place, it is my boat to
sail with, and thus I already accepted my true Identity. However, this could somehow do
not make sense in a philosophical perspective in which how could a person accept himself
if he is, in reality, not self-aware and there is no such thing as a stable self. Nevertheless,
the reason behind such a matter is that there could not be a contraption that is considered
an absolute basis of the information, in such that the world is full of questionable things.

Nonetheless, going back to my Ideal self, maybe the only thing that I wanted to be is
to become confident and could easily socialize with other people, because at the end of
the day, there are things that I should also consider to fit-in in the standards of the society,
especially, on jobs. Also, being the best version of myself would allow me to keep in touch
with the people I love, especially my family, friends, and girlfriend, because not on all
occasions my real Identity could be understood by them. Some might interpret my
behaviours differently, even by the fact that we have been together for a long time. And,
if it is being left unresolved, I might lead them to have an impression of revulsion.
Although, I know that I should not be the only one who would space out and adjust to
keep things in a circle. However, it is my choice, and as long as it does not make me feel
exhausted, I am always willing to change for the people I treasure the most.
Name: Joseph Nico G. Savillo
Subject: GESocSci 1 – SC 99

Reflection
"Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself", a quote by Harvey Fierstein. In this
idealism about the self, we individuals can define who we indeed are. However, we also create an
ideal concept to feel accepted and fit in society's natural standards. In this lecture, we discussed the
psychological idea of the self based on different philosophers' viewpoints.
According to William James, the self has a hierarchical category that constitutes its perception
and understanding of its existential self. Accordingly, in his first category, "the constituent of the
self", connotes that before the self acts, a feeling priorly exists. Within those feelings, there are
commodities of the self that are being tapped. Subsequently, these factors trigger the self's "self-
feeling", hence, allowing it to express its emotions and thoughts that consequently kindles its
behavioural aspect (Self-seeking), which articulates the repressed emotions through actions.
However, the self also preserves and improves the omitted act by becoming aware of the objectified
truths and thus, can change. Nonetheless, through pure ego, the self can recognize and influence its
cognitive states such as feelings, actions and thoughts, a process of interpreting its reality. On top of
that, having the capability to control each category of the self, life would become more at peace and
be more straightforward.
Furthermore, according to Carl Roger's, the self is the centre of experience wherein it does
not exist at birth; hence it develops through childhood. Also, it focuses on the nature of the self and
the condition that allows the self to create freely. In line with Roger's theory, he categorizes that the
self has a distinctive, authentic, and ideal self. Furthermore, the authentic self is actually who you
indeed are. A natural persona that makes us feel comfortable and genuine. It correlates to how we
think, feels, looks, and act. Essentially, it is the self-image of the authentic self. However, it realizes
that this self is not perfect and creates a visualization of an ideal self. The Ideal self is the perception
of who we want to be. An ideal image we want to achieve. Relatively, the ideal self is developed and
a by-product of environmental influences, social interactions, expectations and pressure. As
acclaimed, becoming your ideal self is not wrong. If it motivates you to the things you wanted to
achieve, it is considered personally optimal to choose your ideal self. However, there must be existing
congruence, an agreement between the ideal and authentic self.
Moreover, according to Donald Winnicott's perception about self, it contains two positions,
the true self and the false self. The true self is the natural self. It is the state one is born in and is
considered asocial and amoral. It is not interested in the feelings of others nor socialized. Essentially,
it is the aggressive nature of the self where it coherently elevates to perform its desires without the
interference of emotions and social criticism. It wants to express itself where and how it wants.
Accordingly, as things go well, gradually and willingly, the self develops a False Self, the ideal self, the
perfect self, a capacity to behave according to the demands of external reality. This is when
behaviours are altered, and feelings are suppressed. Generally, it is the social mass self, a self that
adjusts to the natural world. Although Winnicott's idealism was not a thorough enemy of a False Self,
he understood its role well enough; relative to the concept of Carl Rogers, there should be an existing
congruence between the true self and a False Self.
To Conclude, the psychological theories and idealism of different philosophers pertain to our
cognitive process that correlates to our thoughts, senses, and emotions. A categorical understanding
of the self that transits our experience towards existence through our behavioural and intrapersonal
standpoints.
Name: Joseph Nico G. Savillo
Subject: GESocSci 1 – SC 99

References

Blanchin, K. B. [The School of Life]. (2018, April 19). The True and the False Self [Video]. YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A02Ucd6monY

Wong, P. M. (2021, June 23). Psychological Perspective of the Self [Slides]. Canvas.

https://cpu.instructure.com

Wong, P. M. [Unlisted]. (2021, June 29). Psychological Perspectives Lecture Video [Video]. YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMGADX3Qmt8