○ Proposed the Psychosocial
Physical Self Theory of Development,
emphasizing the role of bodily
● The physical self refers to a person's organs in early development and
tangible, observable aspects, including the importance of physical and
the body and its characteristics. intellectual skills in achieving
competence in society.
Key Theorists and Theories
● Bryan Turner:
● William James:
○ Coined the term "somatic
○ Described the physical self as an society" in the 1990s,
initial source of sensation and highlighting the increasing
essential for the origin and importance of the body in
maintenance of personality. contemporary culture.
● Sigmund Freud:
Issues and Conflicts
○ Developed the Psychosexual ● Body Image and Beauty Standards:
Theory of Development, which
posits that the physical body is ○ Societal obsession with physical
central to human experience. appearance leads to pressures
for cosmetic surgery and skin
● Psychosexual Stages of Development: whitening.
○ Oral Stage (Birth - 1.5 years): ● Body Shaming:
Focus on oral pleasures.
○ Criticism of one's own
○ Anal Stage (1.5 - 3 years): appearance or that of others,
Focus on bowel control. which can manifest in various
forms:
○ Phallic Stage (4 - 5 years):
Focus on genitalia; Oedipus ■ Self-criticism through
complex. comparison.
○ Latency Stage (5 years - ■ Public criticism in front
puberty): Sexual feelings are of others.
dormant.
■ Private criticism
○ Genital Stage (puberty onward): without the person's
Mature sexual intimacy. knowledge.
● Erik Erikson:
● Eating Disorders (DSM-5): ○ Sex Chromosomes: Last pair,
determining biological sex (XX
○ Anorexia Nervosa: for female, XY for male).
Characterized by significant
weight loss and refusal to eat
despite an intact appetite. Sex vs. Gender
○ Bulimia Nervosa: Involves ● Sex: Refers to biological characteristics
recurrent binge eating followed (e.g., male, female, intersex).
by purging behaviors.
● Gender: Socially constructed roles and
○ Body Dysmorphic Disorder: behaviors associated with sex.
Preoccupation with an imagined
defect in appearance. ○ Gender norms dictate
expectations for masculine and
feminine behavior.
Philosophical Perspective
● "We are NOT our bodies": Emphasizes Sexual Diversity
that while we inhabit our bodies, they do
not define our identity. ● Gender Identity: One's personal sense of
their gender, which may or may not
align with their sex assigned at birth.
○ Cisgender: Gender identity
2. Sexual Self matches assigned sex.
Definition ○ Transgender: Gender identity
does not match assigned sex.
● The sexual self encompasses one's
identity, sexual orientation, and ■ Transwoman: Assigned
understanding of sexuality. male at birth, identifies
as female.
Biological Perspective
■ Transman: Assigned
● At conception, the union of egg and female at birth,
sperm creates a new organism with identifies as male.
genetic characteristics from both
parents. ● Gender Expression: How individuals
present their gender identity through
● Chromosomes: behavior, clothing, and appearance.
○ Autosomes: First 22 pairs of ● Sexual Orientation: Refers to the types
chromosomes. of individuals one is attracted to:
○ Heterosexual: Attracted to the William James' Perspective
opposite gender.
● James stated that a person's self is the
○ Homosexual: Attracted to the sum of all they can call "mine,"
same gender. including body, possessions,
relationships, and reputation.
○ Bisexual: Attracted to both
genders.
Types of Self
Chemistry of Attraction ● Bodily Self: Refers to the physical body
as an intimate part of identity.
● Erogenous Zones: Areas of heightened
sensitivity that signal sexual arousal. ● Extended Self: Encompasses
possessions and external entities that
● Hormonal Influence: contribute to one's identity.
○ Lust and attraction activate
brain pathways that control Functions of Possessions
reward behavior, leading to
● Possessions serve various roles beyond
feelings of euphoria.
their functional value:
○ Key hormones involved include:
○ Influence: Impact social
interactions and perceptions.
■ Oxytocin: Known as the
"cuddle hormone,"
○ Power: Convey status and
released during intimate
authority.
moments.
○ Emotional Connection: Provide
■ Dopamine and
comfort and identity
Norepinephrine:
reinforcement.
Contribute to feelings of
excitement and energy
during attraction. Materialism
● The extent to which individuals
prioritize material possessions as a
source of satisfaction and motivation.
3. Material/Economic Self
Definition
Conspicuous Consumption
● The material self relates to possessions
● The practice of acquiring high-status
and how they define personal identity.
goods to impress others and signal
social status. ● Examples of Catholic Rituals:
○ Sacraments: Initiation (Baptism,
Loss of Possessions Eucharist, Confirmation),
Healing (Reconciliation,
● The emotional impact of losing Anointing of the Sick),
possessions and how it can affect Vocational Consecration
self-identity. (Matrimony, Ordination).
○ Other practices include fasting,
Pets as Extensions of the Self
prayer, and attending mass.
● Pets are often considered part of the
extended self, contributing positively to
Meaning of Spirituality
self-esteem and emotional well-being.
● Spirituality involves recognizing a
greater existence beyond oneself and
seeking a deeper understanding of life.
4. Spiritual Self
Definition Fowler's Stages of Faith Development
● The spiritual self involves beliefs in the ● Synthetic Conventional Stage (age 12+):
supernatural and the search for meaning Conformity to authority and
in life. development of personal identity.
● Individuative-Reflective Stage (age
Religion vs. Spirituality 21+): Personal responsibility for beliefs
and openness to complexity in faith.
● Religion: An organized system of
beliefs and rituals aimed at influencing
the supernatural. Logotherapy (Victor Frankl)
● Spirituality: A personal search for ● A therapeutic approach focused on
meaning, often without formal finding personal meaning in life
organization. through:
1. Creating work or deeds.
Rituals in Religion
2. Experiencing encounters with
● Rituals are repeated actions that can be others.
calendrical (e.g., holidays) or
crisis-based (e.g., funerals). 3. Attitudes toward unavoidable
suffering.
● Engaging in political processes and
contributing to society enhances the
5. Political Self efficacy and competence of individuals,
especially the youth.
Definition
● The political self reflects awareness of Traits of an Active Citizen
political and economic institutions and
one's role within them. 1. Nationalism: Loyalty to the country and
readiness to defend it.
Political Psychology 2. Respect for Rights: Upholding the rights
of all individuals.
● An interdisciplinary field that examines
the psychological aspects of political
3. Productivity: Contributing positively to
behavior and how individuals shape and
society.
are shaped by the political environment.
Political Ideology
6. Digital Self
● A set of stable beliefs and attitudes that
organize views on social issues, often Definition
varying along a left-right spectrum
(liberalism vs. conservatism). ● The digital self encompasses identity
and interactions in cyberspace,
particularly through social media and
Political Culture technology.
● The collective attitudes and orientations
towards politics within a society, Cyberpsychology
characterized by:
● A new field that studies how technology
○ Dominance of family ties. influences behavior and interactions,
focusing on:
○ Euphemism and indirect
communication. ○ Online interactions.
○ Concepts like Utang na Loob ○ Behavioral influences of
(debt of gratitude) and technology.
overdependency on political
figures. ○ Development of technology to
meet human needs.
Active Citizenship
Online Identity
● The development of self-concept in the ● Screen Dependency Disorder:
online world, which includes: Problematic behavior related to
excessive screen use, including
○ Actual Self: Who you are in withdrawal symptoms and loss of
reality. outside interests.
○ Ideal Self: Who you aspire to ● Internet Gaming Disorder: Excessive
be. gaming leading to cognitive and
behavioral symptoms similar to
○ Ought Self: Who you feel you substance use disorders.
should be.
Online Anonymity
Key Concepts to Remember
● Allows individuals to present different
aspects of themselves, potentially ● The self is a complex construct that
leading to more authentic includes physical, sexual, material,
self-expression. spiritual, political, and digital
dimensions.
Digital Citizenship ● Each aspect of the self interacts with
societal norms, personal experiences,
● Involves responsible engagement online, and cultural contexts.
including:
● Understanding these dimensions can
○ Being Online: Access, lead to greater self-awareness, personal
inclusion, and media literacy. growth, and improved relationships with
others.
○ Well-being Online: Ethics,
empathy, and health in digital
spaces.
○ Rights Online: Accountability,
privacy, and consumer
awareness.
Issues in the Digital World
● Fear of Missing Out (FoMO): Anxiety
about being left out of social
interactions.
