UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

CHAPTER II
UNPACKING THE SELF

Unit 1: PHYSICAL SELF: THE BEAUTIFUL ME

From childhood, we are controlled by our genetic makeup, i. e, sex chromosomes. It also influences
the way we treat ourselves and others. On the contrary, there are individuals who DO NOT
ACCEPTS their INNATE SEXUAL characteristics and they actually tend to change their sexual
organs through medications and surgery. In addition, external environment helps shapes us. In this
lesson, we are going to explore the development of our sexual characteristics and behavior.

At the end of this unit, you will be able to:

1. Determine the condition of your physical self
2. Classify the physiological needs of the self in each stage of life
3. Identify the forces and institutions that impact the development of the various aspects of identity
and the self
4. Explain the importance of good health

LESSON PROPER
Marieb, E.N. (2001) explains that the gonads begin to form until about the eight
week of embryonic development. The embryonic structures of males and females
during the early stages of human development are alike and are said to be in
indifferent stage. When the reproductive structures are formed development of the accessory structures
and external genitalia begins.

Beginning of life
Life begins at fertilization
. It refers to the meeting of the female sex cell and the male sex cell. These sex cells are developed in
the reproductive organs called

GONADS
. The male sex cell called spermatozoa is produced in the male gonads called testes
. On the other hand, the female sex cells called ova are produced in the female gonads known ovaries
. The fertilized egg cell known as a zygote contains all the hereditary potentials from the parents. This
zygote goes to the uterus and continues to grow during the gestation period of about 280 days or 36 weeks
or 9 calendar months.

Both male and female chromosomes contain several thousands of genes – called deoxyribonucleic acid
which is the code of heredity. Maturation is the unfolding of the inherent
traits.

Human Development
The formation of male or female structures depends on the presence of testosterone (A substance called
hormone that occurs naturally in men and male animals). The embryonic testes release testosterone once
formed and the formation of the duct system and external genitalia follows. The same with female
embryos that form ovaries, it will cause the development of the female ducts and external genitalia since
testosterone hormone is not produce.

Pseudo hermaphrodites are formed who is individuals having accessory reproductive structures that do
not “match” their gonads while true Hermaphrodites are individuals who possess both ovarian and
testicular tissues but this condition is rare in nature. Nowadays, many pseudo-hermaphrodites undergo sex
change operations to have their outer selves fit with their inner selves (gonads).
Human Anatomy
Puberty is the period of life when the reproductive organs grow to their adult size and become functional
under the influence of rising levels of gonadal hormones [testosterone in males and estrogen in females]
and generally between the age of 10-15 years old.

At the age of 13, male puberty is characterized by the increase in the size of the reproductive organs
followed by the appearance of hair in the pubic area, axillary, and face. The reproductive organs continue
to grow for two years until sexual maturation marked by the presence of mature semen in the testes.

For the female, the budding of their breasts usually occurs at the age of 11 as a sign of their puberty stage.
Menarche is the first menstrual period of females which happens two years after the start of puberty.
Hormones play an important role in the regulation of ovulation and fertility of females.

Factors in the development of the physical self

The development of the individual is caused by two interacting forces: heredity and environment.

Heredity
[nature] is the transmission of traits from parents to offspring it provides the raw materials of which the
individual is made up. While the environment [nurture] is the sum total of the forces or experiences that a
person undergoes from conception to old age. It includes family, friends, school, nutrition, and other
agencies one is in contact with.

Diseases associated with the reproductive systems

Infections are the most common problems associated with the reproductive system in adults.

Vaginal infections are more common in young and elderly women and those whose resistance to diseases
is low, like, Escherichia coli which spread through the digestive tract, the sexually transmitted
microorganisms such as syphilis, gonorrhea and herpes virus and yeast fungus.

Pelvic inflammatory disease and sterility are also the effect of vaginal infections. For males, the most
common inflammatory conditions are prostatitis, urethritis, and epididymitis, STD, Orchiditis.

Major threat to reproductive organs are Neoplasms, tumor of the breast and cervix cancers in adult
females and prostates cancer in adult males. Most women hit the highest point of their reproductive
abilities in their late 20‟s, i.e. irregular ovulation and shorter menstrual periods – menopausal period.

The production of estrogen may continue after menopause but the ovaries finally stop functioning as
endocrine organs. The reproductive organ and breast begin to atrophy or shrink if estrogen is no longer
released from the body. In this case, the vaginal becomes dry that causes intercourse to become painful if
frequent and the vaginal infections become increasingly common.

Signs of estrogen deficiency: irritability and mood changes [depression in some]; intense vasodilation of
the skin‟s blood vessels, gradual thinning of skin and loss of bone mass, slowing rising high blood levels,
etc..

Note: there is no counterpart for menopause in males. Although aging men show a steady decline in
testosterone section, their reproductive capability seems unending. Healthy men are still able to father
offspring well into their 80‟ and beyond.

Erogenous zones
It refers to part of the body that are primarily receptive and increase sexual arousal when touched in a
sexual manner. Examples: mouth, breast, genitals, anus. However, erogenous zones may vary from one
person to another. Some people may desire and enjoy being touched in certain areas more than the other
areas, like, the neck, thighs, abdomen, and feet.

Human Sexual Behavior

It is defined as any activity – solitary, between two persons, or in a group – that induces/ brings sexual
arousal [Gebhard, P.H. 2017]. This behavior is classified according to gender and number of
participants. Types of behavior: Solitary behavior [involving one individual]; and Socio-sexual behavior
[more than one individual]

Solitary behavior
Self – gratification [begins at or b4 puberty] means self–stimulation that leads to sexual arousal and
generally, sexual climax. This takes place in personal and private as an end in itself, but can also be done in
a socio-sexual relationship. This is common for males but becomes less frequent or is abandoned when
socio-sexual activity is available.

Therefore, self-gratification is most frequent among the unmarried. However, this self-gratification usually
decreases as soon as an individual develops a socio-sexual relationship. Nowadays, humans are frequently
being exposed to sexual stimuli esp. from advertising and social media. Some adolescents become so much
more aggressive when they respond to such stimuli. The rate of teenage pregnancy has recently increased.
The challenge is to develop self-control so as to balance suppression and free expression. Why? To prevent
premarital sex and acquiring STD.

Socio-sexual behavior
It is the greatest amount of socio-sexual behavior that occurs b/w only one male and one female. This
usually begins in childhood and may be motivated by curiosity, such as showing or examining genitalia.

Physical contact involving necking and petting is considered as an ingredient of the learning process and
eventually of courtship and selection of a marriage partner. Petting differs from hugging, kissing and
generalized caresses of the clothed body to produce stimulation of the genitals. This is done due to
affection as source of pleasure, preliminary to coitus [this is an insertion of male reproductive organ into
female organ]. This is regarded as an important aspect in selecting partner but also a way of learning how
to interact with another person sexually.

A behavior may be interpreted by society or an individual as erotic depending on the context in which the
behavior occurs. For example, kissing is a gesture of intimacy b/w couples while other sees this as respect
and reverence.

Physiology of human sexual response

Sexual response follows a pattern of sequential stages or phases when sexual activity is continued.
1. Excitement phase = It is caused by an increase in pulse and blood pressure; a sudden rise in blood
supply to the surface of the body resulting in increased skin temperature, flushing, and swelling of
all distensible body parts particularly noticeable in the male and female reproductive system, rapid
breathing, secretion of genital fluids, vaginal expansion, and a general increase in muscle tension.
2. Plateau phase = it is generally of brief duration. If stimulation is continued, orgasm usually occurs.
3. Sexual climax = a feeling of abrupt, intense pleasure, rapid increase in pulse rate and blood
pressure, and spasms of the pelvic muscles causing contractions of the female reproductive organ
and ejaculation by the male that lasts only for few seconds normally not over ten.
4. Resolution phase = it refers to the return to a normal or subnormal physiological state. Whereas
males return to normal even if stimulation continues, but continued stimulations can produce
 additional orgasms in females. Females are physically capable of repeated orgasms without the
intervening “rest period” required by males.

Lesson II: To Buy or Not to Buy? That Is the Question!

-William James wrote in his book, The Principles of Psychology in 1890 that understanding the
self can be examined through its different components. He described these components as :
(1) its constituents
(2) the feelings and emotions they arouse – self-feelings
(3) the actions to which they prompt – self-seeking and self-preservation
-The constituents of self are composed of the material self, the social self, the spiritual self and
pure ego (Trentmann 2016; Green 1997).

MATERIAL SELF
-The material self, according to James, primarily is about our bodies, clothes, immediate
family, and home.

- BODY. The innermost part of our material self is our body. Intentionally, we are investing in our body. We
are directly attached to this commodity that we cannot live without. We strive hard to make sure that this
body functions well and good. Any ailment or disorder directly affects us. We do have certain preferential
attachment or intimate closeness to certain body parts because of its value to us.

- CLOTHES. Influenced by the “Philosophy of Dress” by Herman Lotze, James believed that clothing is an
essential part of the material self. Lotze in his book, Microcosmus, stipulates “any time we bring an object
into the surface of our body, we invest that object into the consciousness of our personal existence taking
in it its contours to be our own and making it part of the self” (Watson, 2014). The fabric and style of the
clothes we wear bring sensations to the body to which directly affect our attitudes and behavior. Thus,
clothes are placed in the secondary hierarchy of material self. Clothing is a form of self-expression. We
choose and wear clothes that reflect our self (Watson, 2014).

- FAMILY. Third in the hierarchy is our immediate family. Our parents and siblings hold another great
important part of our self. What they do or become affects us. When an immediate family member dies,
part of our self dies, too. When their lives are in success, we feel their victories as if we are the one holding
the trophy. In their failures, we are put to shame or guilt. When they are in disadvantage situation, there is
an urgent urge to help like a voluntary instinct of saving one’s self from danger. We place huge
investment in our immediate family when we see them as the nearest replica of our self.

- HOME. The fourth component of material self is our home. Home is where our heart is. It is
the earliest nest of our selfhood. Our experiences inside the home were recorded and marked
on particular parts and things in our home. -Having investment of self to things, made us attached to those
things. The more investment of self-given to the particular thing, the more we identify ourselves to it. We
also tend to collect and possess properties. The collections in different degree of investment of self,
becomes part of the self. As James (1890) describe self: “a man’s self is the sum total of all what he CAN
call his.” Possessions then become a part or an extension of the self.

We Are What We Have

-Russel Belk (1988) posits that “… we regard our possessions as part of ourselves. We are what we have
and what we possess.” The identification of the self to things starts in our infancy stage when we make a
distinction between self and environment and others who may desire our possessions.

-As we grow older, putting importance to material possessions decreases. However material possession
gains higher value in our lifetime if we use material possession to find happiness and associate these things
with significant events, accomplishments, and people in our lives. There are even times, when material
possession of a person that is closely identified to the person, gains acknowledgment with high regard
even if the person already passed away.

Lesson III: Supernaturals: Believe It or Not !

The spiritual self is one of the four constituents of the “self” according to William James in his book, The
Principles of Psychology in 1890. The spiritual self is the most intimate, inner subjective part of the self.
It is the most intimate version of the self because the satisfaction experienced when thinking of one’s
ability to argue and discriminate, of one’s moral sensibility and conscience, and of our unconquerable will
(James, 1890) is purer than all other sentiments of satisfaction (Green, 1997).

RELIGION
Rebecca Stein (Stein.2011) works on their definition of religion “as a set of cultural beliefs and practices
that usually includes some or all of basic characteristics.” These characteristics are:
1. A belief in anthropomorphic supernatural being.
2. A focus on the sacred supernatural.
3. The presence of supernatural power or energy that is found on supernatural beings as
well as physical beings and objects.
4. The performance of ritual activities that involves the manipulation of sacred
object to communicate to supernatural beings and/or to influence or control events.
5. The articulation of world view and moral codes through narratives and other means.
6. Provide the creation and maintenance of social bonds and mechanism of social control
within a community; provide explanation for own and a sense of control for individuals.

An individual lives in a society where there are many practices of religion. The choice of religious belief lies
within the spiritual self. Although the choice maybe influenced by the society and its culture.

RITUAL
Ritual is the performance of ceremonial acts prescribed by a tradition or sacred law
(Britannica, 2017). Ritual is a specific, observable mode of behavior exhibited by all known societies. It is
thus possible to view ritual as a way of defining or describing humans. Three fundamental characteristics of
rituals according to Penner (Britannica, 2017).
1. a feeling or emotion of respect, awe, fascination, or dread in relation to the sacred.
2. dependence upon a belief system that is usually expressed in the language of myth
3. is symbolic in relation to its reference

The self can be described as a ritual being who exhibits a striking parallel between their ritual and verbal
behavior. Just as language is a system of symbols that is based upon arbitrary rules, ritual may be viewed
as a system of symbolic acts that is based upon arbitrary rules, ritual may be viewed as a system of
symbolic acts that is based upon arbitrary rules. Participation to rituals is an expression of religious beliefs.

Some World Religious Beliefs and Practices

1. BUDDHISM
a. Beliefs - believes that there are suffering, pain, and frustrations in life. When people suffer,
they want to experience the goodness of life and disappointments. It becomes a habit known as the
reactive cycle of wanting and hating, like and dislike, and craving and aversion. This reactive cycle
can be broken through the practice of mediation, acquiring more wisdom deeper understanding,
and acceptance of things as they are.
b. Customs and Practices - two types of meditation practices:
b.1 Samatha is practiced as mindfulness of breathing and development of loving kindness
 (Metta Bhavana).
b.2 Vipasanna practices aim at developing insight into reality.
- Acquiring wisdom is by studying Buddha’s teaching, the Dharma. Through the reflection of
Dharma, Buddhists can achieve a deeper understanding of life. Buddhists believe in non-violence
principle.
- Some of the major Buddhist celebrations are Parinirvana Day in February; Buddha
Day (Wesak) in May, Dharma Day in July; Padmasambhava Day in October, and Sangha Day in
November.

2. CHRISTIANITY
a. Beliefs - believe in Trinitarian God (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit).
- Eternal life after death will be achieved through faith in Jesus Christ.
b. Customs and Practices
The sacrament of Baptism and Sacrament of Communion are practiced by Christian churches.
- Christmas and Resurrection (Easter) are the two major celebrations in Christianity. Christmas, usually
on December 25, commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ while Resurrection Sunday (depending on the
lunar calendar, sometime in March or April) celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from death.

3. HINDUISM
a. Beliefs
- Hinduism covers a wide range of traditional beliefs and religious groups; thus, there is no single founder
or leader. Hindus believe that existence is a cycle of birth, death and rebirth, governed by Karma. Karma is
a concept where the reincarnated life will depend on how the past life was spent. Hindus believe that the
soul passes through a cycle of successive lives and its next incarnation is always dependent on how the
previous life was lived. Vedas are sacred scriptures of Hindus. Mahabharata and Ramayana are two other
important texts of the Hindus.

b. Customs and Practices

- Diwali and Navrati are the most celebrated festivals of the Hindus, Diwali is the Festival of Lights while
Navrati is the festival of nine nights, which celebrates the triumph of good over evil. Hindus have set dates
to honor particular manifestations of God.

4. ISLAM
a. Beliefs
- Muslims believe in Allah, who is their “One God.” They believe in the unity and university of God. Muslims
also have a strong sense of community or “ummah” and an awareness of their solidarity with all Muslims
worldwide. Islam means “willing submission to God.”
- Muslims believe that Mohammed is the last and final prophet sent by God. Mohammed was born in
Mecca in 570 CE and received revelations from God through the Angel Gabriel over a period of 23 years.
The Holy Book of Islam is called the Quran, which was taught to be recited in Arabic because of any
translation is seen as inadequate.

b. Customs and Practices

- Muslims believe in the five pillars of Islam, which are the foundation of Muslim life:
1. Shahadah – statement of faith: “There is no God but the one true God and Mohammed is
his messenger.”
2. Salat- the prayer that is practiced five times a day.
3. Zakat- the monetary offering for the benefit of the poor. It comprises 2.5% of a Muslim’s assets.
4. Hajj- the yearly pilgrimage to Mecca. Muslims who can afford are asked to do he
pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime.
5. Sawm- the fasting. Muslims do fasting from food, drink, and sexual acts during the celebration of
Ramadan. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The fast is from dawn to sunset.
- Two of the major festivals in Islam are Eidul-Fitr and Eidul-Adha. Eidul-Fitr is the celebration at the end of
Ramadan, while Eidul-Adha is celebrated within the completion of the Pilgrimage, the Hajj.

5. JUDAISM
a. Beliefs
- The Jews believed in the God of Abraham, the same God that liberated the Hebrew slaves from Egypt to
Canaan, the Promised Land through the leadership of Moses and later, Joshua.
- The Jews believe in the coming of Messiah, the Savior. The sacred scripture of the Jews is called the
Torah or the Law. The Torah is the guide of the Jewish living. The study and interpretation of the Torah
is part of the Jewish culture.

b. Customs and Practices

- There are five major festivals observed by the Jews:
1. Rosh Hashanah- the New Year
2. Yom Kippur- the Day of Atonement
3. Pesach- Passover
4. Shavuot- Pentecost
5. Sukkot- Tabernacles. The Jewish Sabbath begins on Friday evening at sunset and is an important
time when families gather for the Shabbat meal.

OF THE SELF. AS JAMES (1890) DESCRIBE SELF : “A MAN’S SELF IS THE SUM TOTAL OF ALL
WHAT HE CAN CALL HIS.” POSSESSIONS THEN BECOME A PART OR AN EXTENSION OF THE
SELF. WE ARE WHAT WE HAVE -RUSSEL BELK(1988) POSITS THAT “…WE REGARD OUR
POSSESSIONS AS PART OF OURSELVES. WE ARE WHAT WE HAVE AND WHAT WE POSSESS.”
THE IDENTIFICATION OF THE SELF TO THINGS STARTED IN OUR INFANCY STAGE WHEN
WE MAKE A DISTINCTION AMONG SELF AND ENVIRONMENT AND OTHERS WHO MAY
DESIRE OUR POSSESSIONS.

-AS WE GROW OLDER, PUTTING IMPORTANCE TO MATERIAL POSSESSION DECREASES.

HOWEVER MATERIAL POSSESSION GAINS HIGHER VALUE IN OUR LIFETIME IF WE USE
MATERIAL POSSESSION TO FIND HAPPINESS, ASSOCIATE THESE THINGS WITH
SIGNIFICANT EVENTS, ACCOMPLISHMENT AND PEOPLE IN OUR LIVES. THERE ARE EVEN
TIMES, WHEN MATERIAL POSSESSION OF A PERSON THAT IS CLOSELY IDENTIFIED TO THE
PERSON, GAINS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT WITH HIGH REGARD EVEN IF IT THE PERSON
ALREADY PASSED AWAY.

of the self. As James (1890)

describe self: “a man’s self
is the sum total of all what
he CAN
call his.” Possessions then
become a part or an
extension of the self.
We Are What We Have
- Russel Belk (1988) posits
that “… we regard our
possessions as part of
ourselves. We are
what we have and what we
possess.” The identification
of the self to things started
in our
infancy stage when we
make a distinction among
self and environment and
others who may
desire our possessions.
- As we grow older, putting
importance to material
possession decreases.
However material
possession gains higher
value in our lifetime if we
use material possession to
find happiness,
associate these things with
significant events,
accomplishments and
people in our lives. There
are even times, when
material possession of a
person that is closely
identified to the person,
gains acknowledgement
with high regard even if the
person already passed
away.
Lesson I