"Our bodies are our gardens, to which our

wills are gardeners."

- William Shakespeare, Othello
The Physical
Self
“The Physical Aspect of the Self in Understanding the Self”
The Physical
Self
The concrete dimension and the tangible
aspect of a person which can be directly
observed and examined.
One of the most personal concern of every
individual.
The Physical
Self
The individual's perception and evaluation of their physical
abilities, appearance, and overall well-being. This includes
aspects such as:
Physical Appearance
Physical Abilities
Body Image
The Concept of Beauty.
Beauty.
Defined as the quality of being physically attractive, or the
qualities in a person/thing that give pleasure to the senses of
the mind (Merriam & Webster).

The study of beauty is called aesthetics. A branch of philosophy

that examines the nature of beauty, taste, and art.
Philosopher’s Beauty.
St. Augustine believed things are "desirable because they are
beautiful," emphasizing an inherent quality of beauty.

Plato linked beauty to love and desire.

Aristotle saw order, symmetry, and definiteness as key

components of beauty.

David Hume countered these views by stating that "beauty is no

quality in things themselves," suggesting beauty is subjective
and lies in the eye of the beholder.
Subjective view of Beauty.
Beauty is primarily shaped by individual perceptions,
experiences, and cultural contexts.

This perspective emphasizes that beauty is "in the eye of the

beholder," meaning that what one person finds beautiful may
differ significantly from another's viewpoint.

For instance, Western cultures may prioritize slim figures, while

African cultures celebrate curvaceous bodies as ideals of beauty.
Objective view of Beauty.
Certain qualities or standards exist independently of individual
perceptions.

Argues that beauty can be defined by specific characteristics

that can be universally recognized, regardless of personal taste.

The Golden Ratio, a specific number, approximately 1.618,

represents the unique “beautiful” ratio between two proportions.
It serves as a guideline for achieving harmony and balance
among facial features and body proportions.
Cultural Perspective of Beauty.
Beauty is a multifaceted concept that varies significantly across
cultures, influenced by historical, social, and environmental
factors.

Body Size and Shape - In many African and Polynesian

cultures, a fuller body size is often seen as a symbol of health,
wealth, and fertility. Conversely, Western cultures typically
valorize slimness, which has been a consistent ideal in fashion
and media over the past few decades.
Cultural Perspective of Beauty.
Skin Tone - Tanned skin is often associated with beauty in
Western contexts, reflecting an active lifestyle and leisure. In
contrast, many Asian cultures, such as those in China and
Thailand, prioritize fair skin. This preference is historically linked
to social status; lighter skin was associated with nobility

Facial Features - In South Korea, there is a trend for plastic

surgery aimed at achieving a heart-shaped face, which is
considered the epitome of beauty. In Maori culture, Face tattoos
(Ta-Mako) are seen as beautiful and signify tribal affiliation.
Cultural Perspective of Beauty.
Cultural Practices - Practices such as foot binding in historical
China were once symbols of beauty but caused significant
physical harm. Similarly, lip plates among the Mursi tribe in
Ethiopia represent beauty and social maturity.
History of Beauty.
Ancient Egypt (c. 1550 BCE): Women were admired for their
slender figures and fair skin, while men preferred a robust
physique

Ancient Greece (c. 500–300 BCE): Plumpness and light skin

were idealized; women used toxic makeup to achieve desired
looks.

Renaissance (c. 1400–1700): Large foreheads and curvy

bodies were celebrated; women often plucked hairlines to
enhance forehead size.
History of Beauty.
Victorian Era (1837–1901): The hourglass figure was idealized,
with corsets used to achieve a cinched waist.

1920s: The flapper look favored a boyish figure with a flat chest.

Modern Era: Beauty standards continue to shift, influenced by

globalization and media. Diversity in body types and skin tones
is increasingly recognized as beautiful.
Body Image & Self Esteem
Body Image.
Both the mental picture you have of your own body and how
you see yourself when you look in a mirror.

Our body image includes more than what we look like or how
others see us. It also refers to how we think, feel, and react to
our own perception of our physical attributes.
Self Esteem.
How you value yourself as a person.

Important for everyone because it helps you keep a positive

outlook on life and makes you feel proud of the person you are,
both inside and out.

Body image and self-esteem directly influence one another.

When you have healthy body image, you feel comfortable
about your body and know how to care for it.
What can I do?
1. Treat your body with respect.
2. Eat balanced meals with a variety of nutritious, appealing foods.
3. Enjoy regular, moderate exercise for the joy of feeling your body
move and grow stronger, not simply to burn calories and control
body fat.
4. Get enough rest so you can enjoy each day.
5. Don’t judge yourself and others based on weight, shape, or size.
6. Respect people based on the qualities of their character and
accomplishments, not just because they appear slim, well-built, or
“well put together.”
What can I do?
7. Dress in a way that makes you feel good.
8. Get rid of all the clothes in your closet that don’t fit. This includes
clothes that you can wear only when dieting and clothes you wear to
draw attention away from your body shape.
9. Donate or put away clothing that is too small. Make room for
clothes that you enjoy wearing.
10. Surround yourself with positive friends and family who recognize
your uniqueness and like you just as you are.
The Influence of Culture
in Body Image.
Culture.
Shapes social perceptions of body image, dictating the ideals
of beauty and attractiveness.

One of the aspects that heavily influences the body image of

one’s society.

Individuals often feel pressured to conform to culturally specific

body ideals, impacting their self esteem and overall health.
Media and Advertising.
Portrays beauty by promoting specific standards that often
emphasize thinness and particular body types as ideals.

Often uses idealized standards of beauty, which can lead to

unrealistic expectations for individuals.
Media and Advertising.
While both media and advertising convey these
beauty standards, media is generally more
straightforward, whereas advertising are more
focuses on promoting these ideals for
commercial gain
Social Norms & Expectations.
Social Norms regarding beauty standards differ depending on
the culture in which a person lives.

The belief that individuals should conform to specific

physical traits, such as clear skin, symmetry, and ideal body
shapes.

Dictate how people present themselves through clothing,

grooming, and make-up.

Shared beliefs and expectations within a society about what’s

considered attractive or desirable.
The neck rings of the Kayan Tribe in Thailand.
The old Chinese custom of footbinding.
Cultural Beauty Ideals.
Consist of different variety of factors, like media, social
norms, traditions, history, religion and geography. Where
these are the one’s that can be a basis for shaping the
beauty ideals based on their cultures.
How these factors affects on how
Culture shapes Beauty ideals.
1. Media
2. Social Norms
3. Traditions
4. History
5. Religion
6. Geography
Different Ways of how each Cultures
Shapes their Beauty Ideal:

1. Western Culture
2. Eastern Culture
3. African Culture
4. Latin American Culture
Body Dysmorphic Disorder.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder.
A Mental Health condition characterized by an intense
preoccupation with perceived flaws in one’s appearance.

Often leads to significant distress and impairment in daily

functioning.

Common symptoms include excessive mirror checking,

grooming, and avoidance of social situations due to
embarrassment about perceived defects on their body, which
may be minor or unnoticeable to other people.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder.
Can lead to severe complications such as depression, anxiety,
and suicidal thoughts if left untreated.

Though, it can be treated effectively through a combination of

cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and medications such as
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI’s)
Support Resources for BDD.
Therapy - CBT helps manage symptoms by changing negative
thought patterns.
Medications - SSRIs like fluoxetine and sertraline are
commonly prescribed.
Support Groups - Organizations like the BDD foundation offer
directories for online and local support groups.

Regular Exercise
Sufficient sleep
Relaxation Techniques
Body Image Positivity
Self Acceptance and Self Love.
1. Practice Gratitude
2. Affirmations
3. Mindfulness
4. Surround Yourself with Positivity
5. Limiting Comparisons
Challenging Negative Thoughts.
1. Cognitive Restructuring
2. Limit Social Media Exposure
3. Seek Support
4. Engage in Positive Self-Talk
5. Focus on Clothing Fit
Body Positivity Movement.
1. Challenge Societal Norms
2. Promote Inclusivity
3. Awareness and Education
4. Empowerment
5. Community Support
 The Physical Self.

beauty. body image. bdd. cultural views. body positivity