POLITICAL

SELF
 “It is a useless life that is not consecrated to a great ideal.
It is like a stone wasted on the field without becoming a part
of any edifice.”

- Jose Rizal
T
he hierarchical structure of the family influences the political
self through the obligations and expectations associated with
one’s role as a member of the family and the power and status
related with one’s position in the family. An important prelude
to the study of political self is understanding the concept of
politics.
WHAT IS POLITICS?

Politics is the activities associated with the governance

of a country or other area, especially the debate or
conflict among individuals or parties having or hoping to
achieve power.
UNDERSTANDING POLITICS
Kendall (1998) defines politics as a social institution through
which power is acquired and exercised by people and groups.
In Aristotle’s work, Politics, he describes the role that politics
and the political community must play in bringing about the
virtuous life in the citizenry. He observes that “man is by nature
a political animal.”
UNDERSTANDING POLITICS
UNDERSTANDING POLITICS
Citizenship is the most basic identification with the nation. The
term denotes the membership of a citizen in a political society.
As a citizen, a person enjoys full civil and political rights,
including protection inside and outside the territory of the
state.
Stevens, Anglin, and Jussim (2015) cite that in some
people, politics is a central component of their identity. People
use their political values and belief systems to define
themselves as unique individuals of society.
POLITICAL SELF AND IDENTITY
As an essential part of the self, the political self
organizes self-relevant information about politics. The
political self exemplifies the ideals and aspirations and
aspirations of the people, embodies the rules and
principles of the State, and determines the status and
power of the people.
POLITICAL SELF AND IDENTITY
POLITICAL SELF AND IDENTITY
One important component of political self is identity,
the person’s understanding of who and what he or she
is. From the social and psychological perspectives, the
individual’s claim to citizenship means that the person
relates himself or herself to a group of others who also
see themselves as citizens of a larger polity.
The origins of political self

The family has a hierarchical structure which requires

each member to perform his or her role. The family
consists of members who differ in status, obligations,
influence or power. Traditionally, the father is the most
influential member of the family. His role as the leader
entails power and authority. He coordinates with the
mother in helping the children perform the roles
necessary for a successful family.
 This shows that authority is necessary in the
development of the political self and identity, which is
established by the mother and the father. The first and
foremost duty of the parents is to educate the children
about basic values and beliefs.
 This shows that authority is necessary in the
development of the political self and identity, which is
established by the mother and the father. The first and
foremost duty of the parents is to educate the children
about basic values and beliefs.
 Equally, the Philippine Constitution recognizes the vital
role of schools in calculating among the youth the value
of patriotism and nationalism and in encouraging their
involvement in public and civic affairs of the country.
While parents teach their children basic values and
discipline, schools have the responsibility in the formal
education and training of children.
 The church also helps shape the ideals of citizenship
and democracy through their religious teachings,
values, and traditions. Consequently, how the family,
school, and church emphasize moral behaviors may also
influence political behaviors and the political self. On
the other hand, peers are also important in influencing
the political self.
 The church also helps shape the ideals of citizenship
and democracy through their religious teachings,
values, and traditions. Consequently, how the family,
school, and church emphasize moral behaviors may also
influence political behaviors and the political self. On
the other hand, peers are also important in influencing
the political self.
Theories of political self

According to the social learning theory, a person can

acquire learning through observation and imitation. In
imitation, the learner watches the behavior of another
person (model) and then performs the behavior in a
similar way. Observation and imitation are important in
a process known as political socialization, the lifelong
process by which individuals gain knowledge about
politics.
COGNITIVE THEORY SYMBOLIC INTERACTION THEORY OF POLITICAL
PARTICIPATION
suggest that the suggest that
mental activities behaviors are Political
(e.g., knowledge, products of participation can be
perceptions, ideas) communication, defined as citizen’s
of individuals are meaning, and actions or activities
important symbols. anchored in politics.
determinants of
behavior (e.g.,
political attitudes)
 THEORIES OF POLITICAL SELF

COGNITIVE THEORY SYMBOLIC INTERACTION THEORY OF POLITICAL

PARTICIPATION
suggest that the suggest that
mental activities behaviors are Political
(e.g., knowledge, products of participation can be
perceptions, ideas) communication, defined as citizen’s
of individuals are meaning, and actions or activities
important symbols. anchored in politics.
determinants of
behavior (e.g.,
political attitudes)
 THEORIES OF POLITICAL SELF

COGNITIVE THEORY SYMBOLIC INTERACTION THEORY OF POLITICAL

PARTICIPATION
suggest that the suggest that
mental activities behaviors are Political
(e.g., knowledge, products of participation can be
perceptions, ideas) communication, defined as citizen’s
of individuals are meaning, and actions or activities
important symbols. anchored in politics.
determinants of
behavior (e.g.,
political attitudes)
 THEORIES OF POLITICAL SELF

COGNITIVE THEORY SYMBOLIC INTERACTION THEORY OF POLITICAL

PARTICIPATION
suggest that the suggest that
mental activities behaviors are Political
(e.g., knowledge, products of participation can be
perceptions, ideas) communication, defined as citizen’s
of individuals are meaning, and actions or activities
important symbols. anchored in politics.
determinants of
behavior (e.g.,
political attitudes)
 THEORIES OF POLITICAL SELF

COGNITIVE THEORY SYMBOLIC INTERACTION THEORY OF POLITICAL

PARTICIPATION
suggest that the suggest that
mental activities behaviors are Political
(e.g., knowledge, products of participation can be
perceptions, ideas) communication, defined as citizen’s
of individuals are meaning, and actions or activities
important symbols. anchored in politics.
determinants of
behavior (e.g.,
political attitudes)
DISCOVER

1, Politics is a social institution through which power is acquired and

exercised by some people and groups..
2. Man is by nature a political animal.
3. The process of learning is imbued with political values and beliefs.
4. Politics is a central component of self.
5. In order for governance to work in any group or society, a covenant of
mutual trust and respect must exist
6. According to the social learning theory, a person can acquire learning
through observation and imitation.
7. Political socialization is viewed as a lifelong process by which
individuals gain knowledge about politics.