MODULE 6: PHYSICAL Cultural Standards of Beauty

(Examples):
SELF
• Myanmar (Padaung Tribe): Long
Definition: necks are a sign of beauty and wealth.
• Iran: Women proudly show off nose
• Physical Self: surgeries.
o Refers to your body — the • Kenya & Africa (Masai Tribe):
part of yourself that can be Stretched earlobes are a cultural
directly observed by others. beauty practice.
o It is closely tied to how you • Africa & South America: Lip plates
see yourself (body image) and signify female maturity.
how others see you. • New Zealand (Maori Women):
Chin tattoos are for attracting a mate.
Body Image: • Asia: Pale skin is a beauty ideal.
• Middle East: Kajal eyeliner enhances
• Body Image: beauty while maintaining modesty.
o Your thoughts and feelings • Mauritania: Fuller figures represent
about your body's appearance. prosperity.
o The mental picture you hold
of your body, which may not Media and Beauty:
match reality.
• Positive Body Image: • The media defines unrealistic
o Feeling happy and satisfied standards of beauty.
with your appearance. • Exposure leads to body
o Comfort with the way you dissatisfaction, low self-esteem, and
look. eating disorders.
• Negative Body Image: • 2015 Study (Laura Romo):
o Feeling unhappy or o Mexican-American girls
dissatisfied with your looks. recognized "thinness" as
o Desire to change body shape media's standard of beauty.
or size.
Puberty and Body Image:
Two Aspects of Body Image:
• Puberty:
1. Internal (Personal): o Period when the body matures
o How you perceive and feel physically and sexually.
about your physical o Transition stage from
appearance. childhood to adulthood.
2. External (Societal): • Important Finding:
o How other people (family, o Good looks do not guarantee
friends, strangers) view your high self-esteem among
physical appearance. teenagers.
o Study reference: The Journal
Factors Influencing Body Image: of Clinical Child and
Adolescent Psychology.
• View of Other People:
o We learn standards of beauty Building Positive Body Image:
from those closest to us.
• Media and Culture: • Appreciate body functions.
o Media often promotes • Focus on personal strengths.
unrealistic beauty standards. • Redefine beauty beyond appearances.
o Culture defines what is • Avoid toxic comparisons.
considered beautiful (varies • Stay critical of media messages.
across societies). • Support yourself and others with
positivity.
MODULE 7: SEXUAL Social and Cultural Influences:
SELF • Families, religion, and society shape
sexual attitudes.
Sexual Self Overview: • In Filipino culture, discussions about
sex are often taboo.
• Related to gender identity, sexual • Common myths: masturbation
orientation, sexual behaviors, causing blindness or mental illness.
personal values, intimacy, and
relationships. Sexual Dysfunctions:

Important Studies on Sexuality: "A clinically significant

disturbance in a person’s
• Alfred Kinsey: ability to respond sexually or
o Surveyed thousands about experience sexual pleasure."
their sexual behaviors. — DSM-5
o Found a big gap between
reported behavior and actual Female Sexual Dysfunctions:
behavior.
o First to take a scientific 1. Female Sexual Interest/Arousal
approach to sexuality. Disorder:
• Masters and Johnson: o Lack of sexual interest or
o Observed human sexual arousal.
responses. 2. Female Orgasmic Disorder:
o Developed the Human o Delay, absence, or reduced
Sexual Response Cycle: intensity of orgasm.
1. Excitement Phase: 3. Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration
Sexual arousal begins Disorder:
(blood flow to genitals o Pain during intercourse; fear
increases). or anxiety about pain;
2. Plateau Phase: difficulty with penetration.
Breathing, pulse, and
blood pressure Male Sexual Dysfunctions:
intensify.
3. Orgasm: A short (3– 1. Erectile Disorder:
15 sec) intense peak of o Difficulty achieving or
pleasure and tension maintaining an erection.
release. 2. Premature (Early) Ejaculation:
4. Resolution Phase: o Ejaculation occurs with
Body returns to pre- minimal stimulation before
arousal state. desired.
3. Delayed Ejaculation:
Types of Sexual Stimuli: o Delay or absence of
ejaculation after sexual
• External Stimuli: activity.
o Visual materials (e.g., 4. Male Hypoactive Sexual Desire
pornography, attractiveness). Disorder:
o Men often react strongly to o Low or absent sexual
visual stimuli. thoughts, fantasies, and desire
o Women respond both visually for sexual activity.
and emotionally.
• Internal Stimuli: Paraphilic Disorders:
o Memories and fantasies.
o Brain regions involved: "Intense, persistent sexual
cerebral cortex and interests outside of genital
hypothalamus. stimulation with consenting
adult partners."

Examples include:

• Exhibitionistic Disorder:
 o Sexual arousal from exposing
genitals to unsuspecting
strangers.
• Voyeuristic Disorder:
o Sexual arousal from watching
unsuspecting people who are
naked, undressing, or
engaging in sexual activity.
• Frotteuristic Disorder:
o Sexual arousal from touching
or rubbing against a non-
consenting person.
• Sexual Masochism Disorder:
o Sexual arousal from being
humiliated, beaten, bound, or
otherwise made to suffer.
• Sexual Sadism Disorder:
o Sexual arousal from inflicting
humiliation, suffering, or pain
on others.
• Pedophilic Disorder:
o Sexual focus on prepubescent
children.
• Fetishistic Disorder:
o Sexual arousal from non-
living objects or highly
specific body parts.
• Transvestic Disorder:
o Sexual arousal from cross-
dressing.

Sexual Behavior and Psychological

Well-being:

• Healthy sexuality supports emotional

wellness, integrity, and strong
relationships.
• Misinformation, guilt, and shame
about sexuality can damage self-
esteem and mental health.