UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

Mr. Danilo M. Villamil Jr.

What is the Nature of the Self?
Philosophical Perspective
Sociological Perspective
Anthropological Perspective
Psychological Perspective
The Western and Eastern
Concepts
Anthropological Perspective
concerned with how cultural and biological
processes interact to shape human
experience. Compared with other
disciplines, anthropology possesses a
holistic and integrated approach in
examining human nature. This definition of
anthropology emphasizes that it is an
academic field for understanding the
interconnection and interdependence of
biological and cultural aspects of the human
experience at all times and in all places.
The Cultural Construction of Self and
Identity
British Anthropologist Edward Tylor defines culture
as “that complex whole which includes knowledge,
belief, art, morals, law, customs and any other
capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member
of society”.
Anthropologists have emphasized that culture is not
behavior itself but the shared understanding that guide
behavior and are expressed in behavior. Therefore, it is
how people make sense of their experiences and
behave according to socially shared ideas, values and
perceptions. As such, culture has acquired a range
different meanings that require reflection and analysis
because the significance of culture has enormous
implications for everyone’s conception of self.
Thus, one may say that culture provides a pattern
of “ways of life”. Culture, being diverse, self and
identity may have different meanings in different
cultures.
Yet only a small number of anthropologist tackle
the concept of self. In effect, self is one of the most
taken for granted products of culture. German
anthropologist Martin Sokefeld believes the
concept of self is a necessary supplement to the
concept of culture in anthropology and should be
regarded as a human universal.
Culture and self thus become
complementary concepts that have
to be understood in relation to one
another. There are two ways in
which concept of self is viewed in
different societies: egocentric and
sociocentric.
For Christie Kiefer, the Japanese
possess a sociocentric view of the self in
which the membership of a person in a
particular social group defines the
boundaries of the self. Interdependence
between the person and the group is
more valued than independence. For the
Japanese, social interaction should be
characterized by restraint.
Likewise, Chinese American anthropologist,
Francis Hsu, attributes a sociocentric view of
the self to the Chinese. He explains that the
Chinese prioritize kin ties and cooperation.
For them, the very essence of interpersonal
relations is mutual dependence. Hence, they
do not value self-reliance but put importance
to compliance and subordination of one’s will
to the authority figures in the family.
In contrast with the Japanese
and the Chinese, the
Americans are egocentric.
They believe that they should
be assertive and independent
(Robbins, 2012).
From the similarities and differences in
characteristics among individuals, people
construct their social identities. The identity
toolbox refers to the features of a person’s
identity that he or she chooses to emphasize
in constructing a social self. Another
important identity determinant that is often
viewed essential for the maintenance of a
group identity is language and religion.
Personal naming, a universal practice with
numerous cross-cultural variations,
establishes a child’s birthright and social
identity. A name is important device to
individualize a person and legitimize him or
her as a member of a social group such as a
family. Hence, many cultures mark the
naming of a child with a special ceremony.
Example
Aymara Indians do not consider an infant as
a true human until a name is given to him or
her. When the child is around two years old
and ready to speak the Aymara language, a
special ritual is performed to give it a name.

Icelanders name their infants soon after

birth. The baby paternal given name as its
last name. The boy’s name is added with
suffix sen and the girl’s name with dottir.
The last name of a male Icelanders
therefore usually ends in the suffix
-sen (“son”) and that of female
Icelanders in -dóttir (“daughter”).
For example, Iceland's current
president is Ólafur Ragnar
Grímssen, his first name is Ólafur
Ragnar and his father's first name
was Grímur. Ólafur's daughter is
thus Guðrún Tinna Ólafsdóttir.
Biological Framework
The self is continually influenced by
cultural variation that depends on our
inherited biological characteristics and
cultural environments. Every human
being is born with a specific set of
genetic potentials and limitations which
influence his or her own construction of
self, but the self is also a result of
complex interplay of biological and
Using the Biological Framework, list down your
inherited potentials as well as your cultural
environment such as your personal experiences,
beliefs, norms and values. My Cultural
My Genetic Inheritance
Environment

My Biocultural Self