The Social Self

Social Psychology
• Study of social relationships or interactions.
• Branch of Psychology that studies individuals as they interact with others.
• A broad field whose goal is to understand and explain how thoughts,
feelings, perceptions, and behaviors are influenced by the presence of, or
interactions with, others.
• The study of the effect of social factors on individual behavior, attitudes,
perceptions and motives.
• Study of behaviors of influenced by interactions and transactions between
persons.
• Study of group and intergroup phenomena.
Interaction and Relationship
• Interaction
• Mutual and reciprocal exchange of communication or action
between two or more persons or groups.
• Relationship
• A particular way in which two or more individuals, groups or even
communities talk to, behave toward or deal with each other.
• There is an established connection, kinship or attachment
between persons or groups attributable to several factors.
• Interests
• Philosophy in life
• goals
• Ways of thinking
Interaction and Relationship (Both)
• Two-way exchanges
• There is a fine line between the two
• Interaction is always a COMPONENT of Relationship
• Relationship includes not only the kind of interaction but also
intellectual, psychological, or even emotional investments made by
the parties to develop and maintain the relationship.
• Both represent a continuum from a simple and brief exchange to a
continuing communication and investments to sustain connection.
Vital to Establishing Relationship
• Time
• Effort
• Commitment

• GOOD INTERACTIONS SERVE AS A FOUNDATION FOR A GOOD

CONNECTION.
• Once relationship is formed or established, it is important to
MAINTAIN and NURTURE that association.
PERSON PERCEPTION
• Refers to forming impressions and making judgements
about another person’s likability after seeing or
meeting him/her.
• The assessment involves What kind of person one is
including his/her intentions, traits and behaviors.
• First Impressions, which are formed within a short
period of time with little conscious thought and
biased past experiences, are part of a person’s
perception.
Social Norms
• Patterns or traits characterized as typical or usual for the group.
• Other terms – average, normal
• Social Norms – refer to spoken and unspoken rules for behaving in a
particular situations.
• It serves to guide or regulate the manner in which people conduct
themselves.
• Behaviors have to be controlled or regulated because of social
consequences.
• It is to make sure that his/her behavior does not hurt, offend or
disturb other people.
Spiritual Self
The Spiritual Self
• The most intimate, inner subjective part of the self.
• Intimate version of the Self because of the satisfaction
experience when one thinks:
> of one’s ability to argue and discriminate
> of one’s moral sensibility and conscience
> of our unconquerable will purer than sentiments of
satisfaction
• Seeking the MEANING OF LIFE is a journey.
•The ability to use moral sensibility and
conscience may be seen through the
expressions of Religion, its Beliefs and
Practices.

•Cultural Rituals and Ceremonies are

some manifestations of what people believe
in.
Religion
• A set of cultural beliefs and practices that usually
include some or all of the basic characteristics:
• 1. Belief in anthropomorphic supernatural being. Eg.
Spirits or gods.
• 2. Focus on the sacred supernatural. Sacred refers to a
feeling or reverence and awe.
• 3. Presence of supernatural power or energy that is found
on supernatural beings as well as physical beings and
objects.
• 4. Performance of ritual activities that involves
manipulation of the sacred object to communicate to
supernatural beings and/or to influence or control events.
 Religion
•A set of cultural beliefs and practices that
usually include some or all of the basic
characteristics:
• 5. The articulation of worldview and moral codes
through narratives and other means.
• 6. Provide creation and maintenance of social
bonds and mechanism of social control within a
community.
• 7. Provides explanation for unknown and a sense
of control for individuals.
•The choice of religious belief lies within the
Spiritual Self.
•Some choices may be influenced by the
society and its culture.
Ritual
•The performance of ceremonial acts by a
tradition or sacred law.
•Specific, Observable mode of behavior
exhibited by all known societies.
•A way of defining or describing humans.
•The self can be describe as a ritual being who
has parallel between their ritual and verbal
behavior.
Three 3 fundamental characteristics of Rituals

•1. Feeling or emotion of respect, awe.

Fascination or dread in relation to the
sacred.
•2. Dependence upon a belief system that is
usually expressed in the language of myth.
•3. Symbolic in relation to its reference.
• Language is a system of symbols that is based on
arbitrary rules.
• Ritual may be viewed as a system of symbolic
acts
• Participation to rituals is expression of religious
beliefs.
Christianity
• Symbols: Jesus, Churches, Cross, Holy Communion Symbols,
• Rituals: Child Baptism, Marriage Ceremony (Church
Wedding), Burials, Prayer, Worship and read the bible.
• Belief: Christians belief in God, Jesus (the Son) and the Holy
Spirit or Belief in Trinity, Christians believe that they should
work for social justice and peace.
• Teaching: Follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. Jesus
identified himself with the poor and was criticized for
associating himself with the outcast such as tax collectors,
prostituted women, etc.
TWO Important Christian Celebrations

•CHRISTMAS: Birth of Jesus Christ

•LENTEN SEASON/ EASTER: Christ’s
Resurrection