Physical self

Physical Self
Pre-Assessment/ Guide Questions
1.What comprises the physical self?
2.How is the physical self related to self-
esteem?
3.How can we appreciate the different
cultural standards of physical bodies
 Physical Self
• Refers to the body: a concrete dimension and a tangible aspect of the
person that can be directly observed and examined
• Includes the body and the perception of the body by the self
• How the body conforms to the current standards of beauty
• How the body expresses the self
• Individuals try to adhere to the current standards of beauty
• Gain acceptance
• Boost self-esteem
 Self as Impacted by the Body
• The physical self is fundamental to identity
• People assess other people based on how they look
• Some people let their physical selves define who they are
• Concept of beauty affects self-esteem
• Self-esteem – how much we feel we are worth and how
much we feel other people value us
Relationships of Body Image, Mental Health, and Self-Esteem
 Positive body image – accepting one’s self the way you are,
even if you do not fit what the media deems “ideal.”
 Negative body image – feeling badly about the way one looks.
Decreases self-esteem, becomes a target of ridicule, can lead to
maladaptive responses
Body Image Dissatisfaction
• Body Image dissatisfaction
• The negative perceptions and feelings a person have
about their body
• Influenced by factors such as body shape and
appearance, attitudes towards weight gain, and cultural
norms in relation to an ideal body
• There are links between body image problems and
psychological problems (low self-esteem, anxiety, and
depression)
• Can lead to eating disorders and other maladaptive
behavior
• Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)
• A distinct mental disorder in which a person is preoccupied
with an imagined physical defect or a minor defect that
others often cannot see.
• People with this disorder see themselves as "ugly" and
often avoid social exposure or turn to plastic surgery to try
to improve their appearance.
Eating Disorders - illnesses that are characterized by irregular eating habits and
severe distress or concern about body weight or shape.
Anorexia Nervosa
 Obsessive fear of gaining weight, refusal to maintain a healthy body weight and
an unrealistic perception of body image.
 Fiercely limits the quantity of food they consume and view themselves as
overweight, even when they are clearly underweight.
 Can have damaging health effects, such as brain damage, multi-organ failure,
bone loss, heart difficulties, and infertility.
 The risk of death is highest.
 
 
Bulimia Nervosa
• Characterized by repeated binge eating followed by
behaviors that compensate for the overeating, such as
forced vomiting, excessive exercise, or extreme use
of laxatives or diuretics.
• May fear weight gain and feel severely unhappy with
their body size and shape.
• The binge-eating and purging cycle is typically done
in secret, creating feelings of shame, guilt, and lack
of control.
• Can have injuring effects, such as gastrointestinal
problems, severe dehydration, and heart difficulties
Binge Eating Disorder
• Frequent loss of control of eating.
• Episodes of binge-eating are not followed by
compensatory behaviors, such as purging, fasting, or
excessive exercise.
• Many people suffering from BED may be obese and at
an increased risk of developing other conditions, such as
cardiovascular disease.
• May also experience intense feelings of guilt, distress,
and embarrassment related to their binge-eating, which
could influence the further progression of the eating
disorder.
Tips for having a positive Body Image
• Recognize that your body is your own, no matter what shape or size it comes
in
• Identify which aspects of your appearance you can realistically change and
those that you cannot
• If there are things about yourself that you want to change and can, do this by
making goals for yourself
• When you hear negative comments coming from within, tell yourself to stop
• Try building your self-esteem by giving yourself three compliments every day
Concepts of Beauty According to Culture
•
Korea
• England
• Prefers pale skin color. Tanned skin means
you’re a peasant • Sexy, slim, and well-toned bodies

• Double eyelids • Arab World

• V-line face • Focus on the attractiveness of the eyes

• India • Flawless skin

• Gorgeous long, and soft hair • Philippines

• Fair skin color means having wealth and • Fair skin, long, straight, black hair, high-bridged
luxury nose, and slanted eyes
• USA • “Chinitas” and “Mestizos”

• Big butts, big lips, big breasts, skinny

figure, and flawless skin