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CHAPTER II: UNPACKING THE SELF

Lesson 11

What is This Lesson About?

This lesson is focused on the digital aspect of the self where we will learn distinct
differences of self-presentation in the digital world and real world. Living in a digital era,
the search for the true self has become more difficult given that we are now exposed to
multiple influences and information, such factors affect how we foresee and present
ourselves.

What Will You Learn?

At the end of this learning module, you should be able to:

 define the digital aspect of the self

 describe what Online Identity is
 explain Selective Self-presentation and Impression Management
 enumerate Positive and Negative impact of online interactions on the self
 discuss Extended Self in the Digital World
 identify boundaries of the online self

Let’s Try This (Activity 1)

What You Know
Describe your online identity.

Let’s Study

What is the Digital Self?

The Digital Self is the expression and interaction of the self on the internet
(Monilla & Ramirez, 2018). We present ourselves and act differently online and offline
wherein we both interact with – digital world and real world. We create and develop
partial identities of the self in social media platforms and online interactions – Online
Identity. In which, it does not display a full representation of who you truly are
(Villafuerte, Quillope, Tunac & Borja, 2018).

Selective Self-presentation and Impression Management

The image that we portray to other people influences their perception of us which
is also why we behave differently especially, when we are aware of being watched or
observed. In order to obtain a positive image, we only present information about

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ourselves selectively; undergoing a process of controlling how you are perceived by

others – Self-presentation (Goffman, 1959).
The currency to a positive self-concept in social media sites is gaining “likes” and
“reactions”. The feedbacks that we receive from others intensely influence us
(DeLamater & Myers, 2012). However, the desire to build positive impressions may
result to compromise your security and privacy bringing risks to one’s mental health
(Monilla & Ramirez, 2018).
We tend to be more open and disclose ourselves much online; say or do things
that we don’t offline, it is due to the absence of face-to-face interaction wherein one can
be anonymous and invisible which may give us the autonomy to express more of our
true selves – the Online Disinhibition Effect (Suler, 2014): a. sharing very personal
information about yourself – secret emotions, fears and desires – benign
disinihibition; b. expressing of anger and hate – “bashing” other people with rude
remarks, criticisms and even threats – toxic disinhibition.
The benign disinhibition is an attempt to understand and explore oneself that
may proceed to personal growth. Whereas, in toxic disinhibition, careless expressions
of emotions and exploration in the darker side of the internet (e.g. pornography and
violence) to fulfil unpleasant needs and wishes which inhibit one from personal growth
(http://truecenterpublishing.com/ psycyber/disinhibit.html, 2004).

Impact of Online Interactions on the Self

(derived from the illustration of Villafuerte, Quillope, Tunac & Borja, 2018)

Positive Negative

 easier dissemination of information  extensive online engagement can

 empowering individuals to change and result to personality and brain
initiate change in their communities disorders
 increased self-esteem when receiving  low self-esteem due to the risk of being
many likes and shares exposed to cyberbullying and
 boost one’s moral and feelings of self- cyberpronography
worth  more occupied in giving attention to
 feeling of belongingness and freedom social media than keeping their
in expressing self in communities customs and practices

Extended Self in a Digital World (Belk, 2013)

Five (5) Changes emerging from Digital Age:
1. Dematerailization – possessions e.g. photos, videos, music, information,
conversation are now immaterialized and can be stored on our electronic devices
where we can access anytime.
2. Reembodiment – individuals are now disembodied in online games, websites,
blogs, dating sites, etc. Furthermore, reembodied as virtual avatars; “filtered”
personas highlighting wealth, glamour, beauty, and talents; anonymous and
pseudonymous identities enacting fantasies relative to gender, family, virtual sex,
criminal games, etc.
3. Sharing – uploading, downloading, sharing, and web surfing which had given us
free access to information.
4. Co-construction of Self – feedbacks that we receive from other people
online on whatever we post, affirm us and help in the construction of our
individuality and extended sense of self – collaborative self.
5. Distributed Memory – documenting and recording of memories in our digital
devices providing us a sense of the past associated with events and people in our
lives.

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Boundaries of the Online Self:

(derived from Your Online Identity, 2014)

 Stick to safer sites.

 Guard your passwords.
 Limit what you share.
 Remember that anything that you put or post online even if you delete will stay
there forever.
 Choose carefully with whom you would be friends with online.
 Refrain from being mean and embarrassing other people online.
 Always think before you click.

Let’s Reflect
What You Learned
Answer the questions below.

1. How close is your online self to your real self?

2. Are these social media platforms necessary to one’s life?

3. How do other people’s reactions online affect you?

How Much Have You Learned?

I. Answer if the statement is True or False.
________ 1. You should post everything online.
________ 2. What you are in the Digital World is the totality of who you are.
________ 3. Dematerialization is the materialization of our possessions.
________ 4. Feedback intensely affects us.
________ 5. Apart from our digital possessions, we as humans are also disembodied from the
the physical world.
II. Encircle the correct answer.

1. A careless expression of negative emotions online.

a. Online Disinhibition b. Benign Disinhibition c. Toxic Disinhibition d. Disinhibition

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2. The constructed self that is influenced by the feedback of others.

a. Co-construction of Self b. Reembodiment c. Dematerialization d. Colaborative Self

3. Controlling how you are perceived by others.

a. Digital Self b. Impression Management c. Self-presentation d. Online Identity

4. Overall expression and interaction of the self online.

a. Online Identity b. Digital Self c. Self-presentation d. Digital World

5. Why we tend to be more open online than we are offline.

a. Online Disinhibition Effect b. Benign Effect c. Toxic Effect d. Disinhibition

Key To Correction: I. 1. F 2. F 3. F 4. T 5. T II.1. C 2. D 3. C 4. B 5. A

Feedback
Compare your answers to the previous pages of this lesson; if found to be correct, give
yourself a pat on the back. If not, revise it and remember that what’s important is you’ve
understood this lesson well before moving forward to the next one. You did well!

Suggested Readings/Websites
 http://truecenterpublishing.com/psycyber/disinhibit.html
 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/8451443_The_Online_Disinhibition_Eff
ect
 https://quizlet.com/nz/331229561/5-ways-extended-self-has-changed-in-the-
digital-world-flash-cards/
 https://socialmediaengl295fall2017.wordpress.com/2017/11/30/lecture-21-
extending-your-extended-self/
 https://utsged101portfolio.wordpress.com/section-2-the-socio-digital-self/

References
Alata, Caslib, Jr., Serafica and Pawilen (2018).Understanding the Self. Rex Book Store, Manila
Philippines

Monilla, M. & Ramirez, N.(2018). Understanding the Self, C & E Publishing Inc., Quezon City,
Philippines

Villafuerte, Quillope, Tunac and Borja (2018). Understanding the Self. Nieme Publishing House
Co. Ltd., Quezon City, Philippines

Prepared by:
Prof. Sheila Jessica A. Roallos

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