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Issues About Self and Factors of Self

The document discusses different aspects of self-identity including the nature vs nurture debate on the origins of self. It explores issues like whether the self is innate or developed, and lists factors like social, environmental, hereditary, and personal volition that influence self-identity formation.

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Alexandra B. Flores
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21 views14 pages

Issues About Self and Factors of Self

The document discusses different aspects of self-identity including the nature vs nurture debate on the origins of self. It explores issues like whether the self is innate or developed, and lists factors like social, environmental, hereditary, and personal volition that influence self-identity formation.

Uploaded by

Alexandra B. Flores
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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GE1

UNDERSTANDING THE SELF


An Overview of Self/identity

 The self is a topic that is often talked about but largely goes
unnoticed. Every time the ‘I’ is mentioned (e.g., I will go to
school. I will hang out with my friends. I like to eat burger.) The
self is highlighted as the "actor." Further, the pronoun “me”
is usually used as the object (e.g., Tell me about it. Give me
something. It makes me feel awesome.) Noticeably, the self
composes both the “I” as an actor and the “me” as the
object.
An Overview of Self/identity

 The consciousness of the existence of the self has been almost


automatic or reflexive. Thus, people are almost unaware of it
that in our everyday lives, we are constantly acknowledging it.
Scholars i.e., theorists, scientists, philosophers) in different
fields have attempted to explain and thoroughly expound on
several issues and controversies about the nature, existence,
and dimensionality of self. The most prevalent among issues
on self are on “Nature vs. nurture”, “identity vs. self”, and
“dimensionalities of the self/ factors of self”.
ISSUES ABOUT SELF
Nature vs. Nurture Controversy

 One of the oldest issues in the field of psychology that started


out in the writings of Plato, Descartes, and later by John Locke,
the nature versus nurture debate, centers on the relative
contributions of genetic inheritance (nature) and
environmental factors (nurture) to human development.
Nature vs. Nurture Controversy

 Nature:

Some insist that the self is predominantly a product of natural


processes to which people are inherently predisposed. The
natural basis of the self is anchored on biology and explains that
human traits are passed from one generation to another. These
transmitted traits serve as a blueprint of the self and predisposes
one to Certain self-expressions (e.g., attitude, behavior,
tendencies, etc.).
Nature vs. Nurture Controversy

 Human traits are passed from one generation to another or


heredity.
 Genetics contribute so much information about the description
of the self.
 Plato and Descartes agree with nature since they believe that
certain things are inborn, or that they simple occur naturally
regardless of environmental influences.
 Your talents, your attitudes, and your physical appearance are
all product of heredity. It came from your parents and it was
passed on from generations to another.
Nature vs. Nurture Controversy

 Nurture:
The other side, meanwhile, argues that the self should be
principally viewed as an outcome of various nurturing factors in
the context of one's life. Social sciences have provided several
insights and explanations about the self, both on the micro and
macro levels. Different social sciences stress how group life
(formal and informal) affects an individual's behavior and attitude
and emphasize on the impact of various social institutions to the
self-construal of a person.
Nature vs. Nurture Controversy

 According to nurture, everything that we are, and all our


knowledge is determined by our experience.
 John Locke disagree with Plato and Descartes since he believes in
what is known as Tabula rasa, which suggest that the mind begins
as a blank slate. According to this notion, everything that we are
and all of our knowledge is determined by our experience.
 Your talents, your attitudes, and your physical appearance are all
product of the nurturing factors or the environment you live in.
 You are talented because you are surrounded with talented people
and you are smart because you are surrounded with smart people.
Factors of Self
1. Social Factor:

 It refers to the influences of the significant people in


one’s life. It primarily includes the family and
peers/friends.
 E.g.: You are responsible because your parents taught
you to be responsible.
 E.g.: You learn to smoke because of the influence of
your friends.
2. Environmental Factor:

 Unlike the social factor, the environmental factor broadly includes


the physical and communal elements present in everyday
surroundings.
 This factor covers not only the physical properties of the
surroundings (climate and temperature, forms of land).
 It also includes the expectations and norms operating in that
particular locality or place.
 E.g.: People who grew up in a city are competitive and resilient so
you who came from a province needs to adapt the skills needed in
order to survive in such environment. You will consciously strengthen
certain traits and skills that will manifest competitiveness.
3. Heredity Factor:

 It is a biological process by which certain traits and


characteristics are passed from one generation to another.
 It readily dictates one’s physical attributes, cognitive traits and
persona characteristics.
 E.g.: Your height, complexion, and hair came from the genes of
your parents. So, you are tall because your father is tall. You
have fair skin because your mother has fair skin.
 E.g.: You have high I.Q because both your parents are smart.
4. Person-volition factor:

 It refers to the inclination of a person to form and construct a specific identity.


 You were able to develop certain traits because you really wanted to have
those traits.
 It is purposive striving to achieve specific identity.
 E.g.: You want to be a musician, so you keep on playing different musical
instruments.
 E.g.: You want to be tall, so you drink gloxxi to enhance your height.
 E.g.: You want to be labeled as good kid, so you tried your best to always obey
your parents.
 E.g.: You want to be smart, so you keep on reading books and keep on studying
your lesson.
 E.g.: You want to be healthy, so you always eat fruits and vegetables.

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