Module 7
Module 7
Module 7
Introduction
This chapter deals with the description of the material self. It includes the basic
components and the subclasses of the material self. It also covers the role of material
possessions on the sense of self and identity.
Learning Outcomes
Learning Content
The material self entails two subclasses such as the bodily self and the
extracorporeal self or beyond the body self. The bodily component as the term
suggests refers to the entities comprising our bodies. For instance, someone may speak
of his/her head, eyes, and hands which form part of his/her physical body. Rosenberg
(1979) regarded the extracorporeal self as the extended self. The extended self includes
other people (e.g. my parents), pets (my puppy), possessions (my phone), places (my
hometown), and the products of our labor (my recipe). Thus, it is not merely the
physical entities which encompass the material self but the tangible objects, people or
places carrying the designation my or mine.
James (1979) added that an entity can be identified as part of the self through our
emotion and/or action towards it. If we pay much attention or work hard towards that
entity, we can conclude that the entity is part of the self. As James wrote:
“A man’s self is the sum total of all that he can call his, not only his
body and his psychic powers, but his clothes and his house, his wife and
children, his ancestors and friends, his reputation and works, his lands and
horses, and yacht and bank account. All these things give him the same
emotions. If they wax and prosper, he feels triumphant; if they dwindle and
die away, he feels cast down, --not necessarily in the same degree for each
thing, but in much the same way for all.” An equally instinctive impulse
drives us to collect property; and the collections thus become, with
different degrees of intimacy, parts of our empirical selves. The parts of our
wealth most intimately ours are those which are saturated with our
labor. ... and although it is true that a part of our depression at the loss of
possessions is due to our feeling that we must now go without certain goods
that we expected the possessions to bring in their train, yet in every case
there remains, over and above this, a sense of the shrinkage of our
personality, a partial conversion of ourselves to nothingness, which is a
psychological phenomenon by itself. (p. 293)
Ø Regardless of how much or how little material possessions people have, they
remain valuable because these possessions are symbolic of one’s social status.
The more expensive they are; the more other people are impressed.
Ø Russel Belk (1988) in his work “Are We What We Own?”, suggests that
material possessions act as an objective manifestation of the self. Material
possessions can be a reflection of hard work and success.
Ø Normally, people tend to measure success through the amount of their material
possessions. Owning material possessions becomes a driving force in urging
an individual to seek a high level of achievement in order to be able to acquire
more possessions.
Ø Lack or loss of these material possessions could lead to anxiety, insecurity, and
depression in people who are overly materialistic.
e.g. Jake bought a four-wheeler closed van for the delivery of their merchandise
In terms of the economic self, people buy goods not only because they need them
but also because of the joy and happiness the goods give by merely having of acquiring
them. The emotion that an individual expects to feel when doing or buying something is
called the anticipated affect. The anticipated positive effect like excitement, pride, and
happiness as well as the negative affect such as anger, sadness, and frustration are
important predicates of whether to buy or not to buy the product. In other words, these
emotions can be a strong motivator or barrier for the buying behavior of people.
❏ A consumerist society is one in which people spend a great deal of time, money,
and energy to “consume” commercial products, goods, and services.
❏ The state of needs and wants tends to be endless, and thus could cause negative
effects such as dissatisfaction, unhappiness, and depression.
❏ Karl Marx’s theory of the alienation of workers within a capitalist system stresses
that consumerist urges become a social force separate from the individual and
operating independently.
❏ Products and brands become the force that propels and reproduces norms, social
relations, and the general structure of society.
❏ The dominant worldview, values, and culture are inspired by disposable and
empty consumption.
Regardless of your intention in purchasing, keep these two things in mind when
acquiring goods. Consider its utility to ensure that the product serves a practical
purpose; and, remember its significance and be aware of how the objects become
powerful symbols or icons of habit ritual.
Activity 1
Directions: You were given a day to shop like a king or queen and spend money as
much as you want. List down all the things you want to buy; then, answer the following:
3. Which among those items in your list best describe you? In what way?
Assessment Task
2.When you buy goods/products, which among the following do you value most? Why?
a. price d. quality
b. brand e. significance
c. quantity f. utility
4.Do material possessions define one’s success in life? Defend your answer.
My Reflection
Directions: Your essay will be graded based on this rubric. Consequently, use this
rubric as a guide when writing your essay.
References
Alata, E., Caslib, B., Serafica, J. & Pawilen, R. (2018). Understanding the self.
Manila: Rex Book Store.
https://www.thoughtco.com/consumerism-definition-3026119
Go-Monilla, M. and Ramirez, N. (2018). Understanding the self. Quezon City: C & E
Publishing
Maderazo, S. (2017, September 28). Material self and economic self. Retrieved
from:https://www.scribd.com/presentation/360154947/MATERIAL-SELF-
ECONOMIC-SELF-pptx