Module 1: Introduction to 4.
Nurture – the environmental and
Understanding the Self (SELF): social influences that affect our
development.
5. Personality – the patterns of
Module 1: Introduction to
thinking, feeling, and behaving that
Understanding the Self
make you unique.
Introduction
6. Social Factor – the influence of
This module helps us become more family, friends, and other important
aware of who we are by studying the people in shaping the self.
different factors that contribute to
7. Environmental Factor – the
the self. It explores how our social
physical, cultural, and social
environment, heredity, and personal
surroundings that impact one’s
choices shape our identity, and how we
identity.
change across time. We will also discuss
important issues such as nature vs. 8. Hereditary Factor – biological
nurture, the distinction between self traits passed down from parents to
and identity, and the dimensionalities children.
of the self.
9. Person-Volition Factor – the
By the end of this lesson, you should be individual’s willpower, motivation,
able to: and choices in forming identity.
Identify different factors that
contribute to one’s being.
1. The Self and Identity
Evaluate the impact of these
We use the words I and Me to describe
factors through self-reflection.
ourselves:
Understand how social,
"I" → the self as an actor/doer of
environmental, hereditary, and
actions. Example: “I will go to
personal volition factors influence
school. I like to eat burgers.”
your identity.
"Me" → the self as an
object/receiver of actions.
Key Terms Example: “Tell me about it. Give
me something. It makes me feel
1. Self – the totality of who you are,
awesome.”
known primarily to yourself.
Identity is how others recognize you
2. Identity – the traits, roles, and
(e.g., “the achiever in class” or “the
characteristics by which others
latecomer”).
distinguish you.
Self is the whole of who you truly are,
3. Nature – the biological and genetic known only to you.
factors that shape who we are.
👉 Think of identity as your "label" in C. Dimensionalities of the Self
society, while self is your inner
The self is shaped by multiple
experience and awareness.
factors: social, environmental,
hereditary, and volition.
2. Issues About the Self Each of these adds a layer to our
personality and identity.
A. Nature vs. Nurture
Nature: Our traits are biologically
inherited. Genetics explains why 3. Factors That Shape the Self
we may look or behave like our (S.E.L.F.)
parents.
1. Social Factor
Nurture: Our environment—family,
Family is the “nursery of human
school, culture, and society—
nature” where we first learn
shapes our attitudes, values, and
values, attitudes, and behaviors.
behaviors.
As we grow, we also gain influence
Balanced View: The self is a
from friends, teachers, peers, and
product of both heredity
mentors.
(nature) and environmental
influence (nurture). This process integrates into our
personality—patterns of thinking,
Example:
feeling, and behaving.
A child may inherit musical talent
Example:
(nature), but without
encouragement or exposure to A child raised in a loving,
instruments (nurture), the talent supportive family tends to grow
may not develop. with confidence.
On the other hand, negative peer
influence during adolescence may
B. Identity vs. Self
challenge family values.
Identity: How others see you →
external, social recognition.
2. Environmental Factor
Self: How you truly know yourself
→ internal, holistic understanding. Refers to both physical
surroundings (climate,
Example:
geography, home) and social
Your identity may be “class expectations (rules, traditions,
president” (how others know you), norms).
but your self may be someone shy
or anxious (what only you know
inside).
Society shapes roles and
responsibilities, such as the
Summary
Filipino panganay often carrying
the responsibility of helping the The self is not just one thing—it is a
family. combination of multiple influences:
Example: Nature (heredity) gives us our
biological traits.
A student growing up in a noisy
urban environment may adapt to Nurture (environment + social
distractions better than someone factors) develops our behaviors
raised in a quiet rural area. and attitudes.
Personal volition empowers us to
choose who we become.
3. Hereditary Factor
Ultimately, the self is a complex
Traits passed down at birth, such as
integration of social, environmental,
physical features, talents, and even
hereditary, and personal factors, making
predispositions to certain diseases.
each of us unique.
Considered a non-negotiable
factor since it is relatively fixed.
Reviewer (Quick Check)
Example:
1. What is the difference between
A person may inherit a heart
identity and self?
condition from their parents.
Although they cannot change their 2. Give one example each of nature
genes, they can manage their and nurture in shaping the self.
health through lifestyle choices.
3. What role does family play in the
development of the self?
4. Person-Volition Factor 4. Why is heredity considered a non-
negotiable factor?
Refers to one’s own choices,
willpower, and determination to 5. How can personal volition help
shape identity. someone overcome life challenges?
Even if hereditary and
environmental factors set
📘 Condensed Reviewer – Module 1:
limitations, a person can choose
The Self
to rise above circumstances.
🔑 Key Terms
Example:
Self – who you truly are, known to
A student from a poor family
you.
chooses to study hard, break the
cycle of poverty, and provide a Identity – how others see/label
better life for their parents. you.
Nature – heredity/genes. Nature: A child inherits musical
talent.
Nurture – environment &
experiences. Nurture: Practicing music with
support develops skill.
Personality – patterns of thinking,
feeling, behaving. Identity vs. Self: Identity = “class
president”; Self = shy person
S.E.L.F. Factors – Social,
inside.
Environmental, Hereditary, Person-
Volition. Person-Volition: Student from
poor family studies hard → success.
🧠 Main Ideas
✅ Reviewer Questions with Sample
1. Self vs. Identity
Answers
Self: inner, holistic, personal
1. Differentiate self and identity.
awareness.
o Answer: The self is your inner
Identity: external recognition (roles,
awareness of who you are,
labels).
while identity is how others
2. Nature vs. Nurture recognize or label you (e.g.,
“student,” “daughter”).
Nature → inherited traits (ex. eye
color, talent). 2. Give 1 example each of nature
and nurture.
Nurture → environmental influence
(family, culture). o Answer: Nature: Having curly
hair from your parents.
Both shape the self.
Nurture: Learning discipline
3. Factors Affecting the Self because your parents taught
(S.E.L.F.) you routines.
Social → family, peers, teachers 3. Why is heredity “non-
shape values. negotiable”?
Environmental → surroundings, o Answer: Because heredity is
culture, traditions. passed down through genes,
we cannot change traits like
Hereditary → genes, physical
blood type, height potential,
traits, predispositions.
or natural talents.
Person-Volition → personal
4. How can volition help overcome
choices, willpower.
limits of heredity/environment?
o Answer: Volition allows a
📌 Quick Examples person to make choices that
improve their life—for
example, even if someone is
born poor, studying hard and
working with determination
can lead to success.
5. Which S.E.L.F. factor is
strongest in your life?
o Answer: (Sample) Social
factor, because my family
and friends greatly influence
my decisions, values, and
behavior.
