Unpacking the

Self:
The
Physical
The Concept of the Physical
Self
Physical Self refers to the
body, this marvelous
container and complex,
finely tuned, machine with The Physical Self is the
which we interface with concrete dimension, the
our environment and tangible aspect of the
fellow beings. person that can be
directly observed and
examined.
The Concept of the Physical
Self
However, this aspect William James considered body
of our self seems to as the initial source of
have been left behind.
But still, some theories sensation and necessary for
emphasize
the importance of the origin and maintenance of
the physical self. personality.
For Erik Erikson, the role of bodily organs is
especially important in early developmental
stages of a person’s life.

The Indian tradition views growth and

enlightenment as the whole body event, which is not
possible until one has a pure and strong body.
The Concept of the Physical
Self
As a biological entity, the body
has a functional role, but as a
social entity it is the most
visible way of expressing and
presenting someone's identity.

It conveys important
messages about social status
and subculture membership; in
turn, it receives messages
The Concept of the Physical
Self
Research found that a
person who is perceived
as attractive makes more
money than a person of
below-average looks.

In politics, voters who are

not actively engaged in
social and political issues
choose candidates based
on “looks” 90%of the time.
May be attributed to a cognitive
bias called the “halo effect”.

A cognitive bias is an error

in reasoning, evaluating,
remembering, or any other
mental process that is
often a result of holding on The “halo effect” refers to
to one’s preferences and the tendency of people to rate
beliefs regardless of
attractive individuals more
contrary information.
favourable for their personality
traits or characteristics as
compared to those who are less
attractive.
Some Standards of physical
Beauty?
Symmetry
defined not with
proportions, but
rather with similarity
between the left and
right sides of the
face

Model Gigi Hadid

Biologists had also
hypothesized that we prefer
faces that epitomize the
‘manliness’ or It was only in the most
‘femininity’ of their gender urbanized regions that they
found the strong attraction to
more masculine men and
more feminine women; in the
smaller, more remote
communities, many women
actually preferred the more
“feminine” looking men.
Beauty and self-
expressions across
cultures
Since birth, the socialized body is
subjected to cultural norms. The
attitude towards the body and the
bodily practices
reflect the value
constellation of each particular
society.
Karo tribes
in Omo
Valley,
Ethiopia
Neck
rings
 Foot
binding
in China
Scarificatio
n
Body
Modification
Beauty through
Time…
Beauty Standards in Diff
erent Countries.mp4
Is Physical Beauty
Important?
Body image is how you
view your physical
body, whether you
attractive,
feel you areand how
you feel some other If you have a positive
people like your body image, you
looks. probably like and
For many people accept yourself the way
(especially you are, even if you do
teenagers) body not fit the popular
image is closely notion of “beautiful”
For many as their body changes, so
does their image of themselves. So
it is very important to re-frame the
way we view, think and talk about
our physical selves.

Recognize that your body is your

own, no matter what shape or
size it comes in.
Try to focus on how strong and healthy your
body is and the things it can do, not what’s
wrong with it or what you feel you want to
change about it. No one’s business but your
own what your body is like- ultimately, you
Identify which aspects of your
appearance you can If there are things
realistically change and which about yourself that
you can’t.
Humans by definition are imperfect. It’s you want to change
what makes each of us unique and and can, do this by
original. Everyone has things they can’t
change for instance their height, and
making goals for
shoe size. yourself.
Remind yourself that “ real people For example if you want
aren’t perfect and perfect people to lose get fit, make a
aren’t real. plan to exercise every
day and eat healthy.
Meeting a challenge you
set yourself is a great
way to boost self-
When you hear negative
comments coming from
within, tell yourself to stop.
Appreciate that each person is Try building your
more than just how he or she self- esteem by
looks on a given day. We are
giving yourself three
complex and constantly
changing. Try to focus on compliments every
what’s unique and interesting By focusing onday.
the
about yourself. good things you do and
the positive aspects of
your life, you can change
how you feel about
yourself.
A new standard of beauty _ Amber Starks.mp4