Physical self and material self | Lecture notes Psychology

The Physical Self

Terms used to describe or are associated

with the “Self”

Physical self

refers to the body

a container, a complex, finely tuned,

machine with which we interface

with our environment and fellow

beings.

The concrete dimension, the tangible

aspect of the person that can be

directly observed and examined

Image

a reflection of our lifestyle and the

kind of lives we lead

Identity

composed of personal characteristics,

social roles, and responsibilities, as well

as affiliations that define who one is

(Oyserman, Elmore, and Smith, 2012).

Self-concept

what comes to your mind when you are

asked about who you are

how people see or describe themselves

(Plotnik & Kouyoumdjan, 2014)

Body image

the subjective picture or mental image

of one's own body

The Concept of Beauty

Merriam-Webster dictionary defines

Beauty as the quality of aggregate of

qualities in a person or thing that gives

pleasure to the senses or pleasurably

exalts the mind or spirit.

Ideas of beauty vary throughout

history + across different cultures.

Tastes change over time => Beauty is

not universal

Beauty is a subjective concept

Globalization leads to universal idea

of beauty

The Role of Society on Body Image

Society shapes us in many ways,

including our interactions, our personal

development and even others’

perception of our bodies as a reflection

of self worth.

Body image is both internal

(personal) and external (society)

This includes:

How we perceive our bodies visually

How we feel about our physical

appearance

How we think and talk to ourselves

about our bodies

Our sense of how other people view

our bodies

The media is highly influential in

reinforcing beliefs or “ideals” on how we

should look and we unknowingly or

knowingly validate and perpetuate.

The more we are exposed to the

“perfect” images of the others, the more

we seem to scrutinize ourselves for

having or not having them, and if it is

the latter, we feel bad about ourselves.

It’s a cycle that breeds discontent.

The greater our discontent with how we

measure up when compared to the

societal or media supported norms, the

more negative our body image, and the

greater the risk we are in. for example:

Extreme dieting

Extreme exercise compulsion

Eating disorders

Extreme or unnecessary plastic

surgery

Using steroids for muscle building

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The Physical Self Terms used to describe or are associated with the “Self” Physical self  refers to the body  a container, a complex, finely tuned, machine with which we interface with our environment and fellow beings.  The concrete dimension, the tangible aspect of the person that can be directly observed and examined Image  a reflection of our lifestyle and the kind of lives we lead Identity composed of personal characteristics, social roles, and responsibilities, as well as affiliations that define who one is (Oyserman, Elmore, and Smith, 2012). Self-concept what comes to your mind when you are asked about who you are how people see or describe themselves (Plotnik & Kouyoumdjan, 2014) Body image the subjective picture or mental image of one's own body The Concept of Beauty Merriam-Webster dictionary defines Beauty as the quality of aggregate of qualities in a person or thing that gives pleasure to the senses or pleasurably exalts the mind or spirit.  Ideas of beauty vary throughout history + across different cultures.  Tastes change over time => Beauty is not universal  Beauty is a subjective concept  Globalization leads to universal idea of beauty The Role of Society on Body Image Society shapes us in many ways, including our interactions, our personal development and even others’ perception of our bodies as a reflection of self worth. Body image is both internal (personal) and external (society ) This includes:  How we perceive our bodies visually  How we feel about our physical appearance  How we think and talk to ourselves about our bodies  Our sense of how other people view our bodies The media is highly influential in reinforcing beliefs or “ideals” on how we should look and we unknowingly or knowingly validate and perpetuate. The more we are exposed to the “perfect” images of the others, the more we seem to scrutinize ourselves for having or not having them, and if it is the latter, we feel bad about ourselves. It’s a cycle that breeds discontent. The greater our discontent with how we measure up when compared to the societal or media supported norms, the more negative our body image, and the greater the risk we are in. for example:  Extreme dieting  Extreme exercise compulsion  Eating disorders  Extreme or unnecessary plastic surgery  Using steroids for muscle building

Societal reference points that shape our perceptions: The Physical -unrealistic images or standards of beauty that are genetically impossible to imitate: -perfect skin, -tiny waists, -protruding behinds, -ripped abs that is apparently impossible to achieve without chemical enhancers – that if we don’t measure, we are met with dissatisfaction. The Media The media is a powerful tool that promotes ‘must-haves ’ and ‘the cool ones’. It may not be fully responsible for determining the standards of beauty, it makes escaping the stream of images and attitudes almost impossible. Prejudice to size Intolerance of body diversity has a lot to do with prejudice of size and shape in our culture. Being thin, toned and muscular has become associated with the hard-working, successful, popular, beautiful, strong, and the disciplined. Being fat is associated with the lazy, ugly, weak, and lacking in willpower.  Everyday interaction with people results in their observation and formation of opinion about our attitude, behavior, practices, mannerisms, etc.  A positive or negative self-concept reflects a dominant or prevailing trend of positivism or negativism in the self. Hence, if a person is labeled as having a positive self-concept, it means that his/her prevailing behavior and general outlook if himself / herself are on the positive side. HOWEVER, it does not mean that the person does not have any low or negative thoughts or ideas about oneself – it’s just the prevailing positive outlook that characterizes the person as having a positive self-image or self-concept  In the same manner, a person who has a negative self-concept may also have positive or high points in his/her self- concept 2 KINDS OF SELVES (CARL ROGERS) Real Self - image of the self based on a person’s actual experience and represents how he/she actually sees himself/herself (what one thinks in terms of personal characteristics and abilities Ideal Self – the self based on one’s hopes and wishes (how one likes to see himself/herself to be) THE DYNAMICS OF PHYSICAL HEALTH Personal Hygiene The physical self is a significant component in one’s image and personality, hence being clean and hygienic creates a good image and makes one feel good about the ‘self’. Good Grooming Careful grooming and observance of proper clothing in specific occasions is an important practice in building one’s self-esteem. Social Graces Skills used to interact politely in social situations. This includes manners, etiquette, deportment, fashion, and refinement. Good manners, on the other hand, are reflection of one’s education, values, and sensitivity Proper bearing and posture Composure and bearing affects not only one’s physical self and image but his or her level of confidence. An individual who has the right degree of confidence conducts themselves well in front of others Health Our health affects our performance in our daily tasks; Illnesses and diseases make us weak physically and intellectually causing us to underperform or be unproductive

continuity and preparation for death Jarrett (2013) mentioned that our relationship with the material world starts with the idea that whoever gets something first it its owner. E.g., when a child finds a toy and does not want to let go of it, or another baby takes the toy and the first one throws a tantrum because it was taken from him or her. In this example, the toy is seen as a “transition object” which aims to develop the skills of a child toward more independence. In adolescents, the attachment to objects depends on who people are, or how they want to be perceived. As mentioned earlier, various studies have shown that the lower the self- esteem, the more a person seems to acquire and/or get attached to more objects, and vice versa. Young people seems to value possessions based on “emotional attachment” , like the happiness that you get from it; it’s “social meaning” , especially, the ability of the object to attract people or make you feel that you belong; and “personal association” or how an object is related to our concept of self, like buying an eight note necklace because you think you are a musician. Old age brings another aspect to the relationship between the owner and the object. The object now becomes a vessel of memory, like a camera you used to bring in your travels, a source of comfort as well as an achievement, like a trophy or diploma, and it becomes a sort of legacy for the future, like your house and lot that you will pass on to your children. CONSUMERISM AND MATERIALISM Materialism is often linked to consumerism. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, Consumerism is a theory that an increasing consumption of goods is economically desirable or an inclination toward the buying of consumer goods. It is assumed that consumerism occurs when people become more materialistic as there will be an increase in the acquisition of goods and services. Therefore, materialism refers to a characteristic of an individual, while consumerism describes society as a whole (Hasa, 2021). Consumerism is motivated by the following reasons:

It is alleged that material possessions provide individuals with a feeling of security as their money and property provide them with tangible assets.
It is alleged that wealth gives them sense of well-being as they alleged that this material wealth provides them with happiness.
It is alleged that material wealth boosts their self- esteem and self-confidence as they possess those assets that not everybody has; and

It is alleged that cherished wealth provides an individual with more friends and relationships through greater interaction. OTHER CORRELATES OF MATERIALISM
Materialism and happiness reportedly do not go well together as it was shown that people who value possessions and material wealth over other more significant life goals are said to be less happy and are more prone to depression.
Materialism and self-esteem show an inverted relationship. The desire for much material possessions manifests low self-esteem. It can mean that the demand for gadgets and techie possessions are signs that the individual has a low self-esteem.
Materialism and financial stability show an inverted relationship as well. Spending, of course, does not promote sharing and saving. Shopaholics are, of course, proof to this as they cannot control their desire to spend using their credit cards for objects that they do not actually need.
Materialism and well-being manifest opposite relationship as individuals practicing this principle tend to isolate themselves from the significant others as they continue try to derive gratification from amassing objects rather than interacting with the people around them,
Materialism and self-concept prove how insecurity motivates people to work so hard for material possessions as the same wealth becomes their source of security. Hence, the absence of these objects means a great degree of emptiness and the feeling of deficiency.
Materialism and lack of engagement means losing one’s ability to empathize with others as they become callous to other people’s needs. Their ability to accumulate possessions separates them from others and as they considered inferior. According to Gregoire (2017) materialism make people unhappy for the following reasons: 1. Consumer culture may be harming individual well- being. Young adults born in this period of affluence are less happy and are subjected to risk of depression and mental disorder as their well-being is not positively influenced by consumerism. Allegedly those who pursue more wealth and greater material possessions are less satisfied as they experience less positive emotions.

Consumerism is fueled by insecurity -- and remedied by mindfulness. Research suggests that materialistic values are fueled by insecurity. A 2002 study published in the journal Psychology and Marketing found that those who chronically doubt themselves and their own self- worth tend to be more materialistic. Consumerism -- which has been called a " modern religion " -- tends to capitalize on this insecurity and use it to sell products. "In a practical sense, consumerism is a belief system and culture that promotes consuming as the path to self- and social improvement," Stephanie Kaza, University of Vermont Environment Professor and Buddhism practitioner, wrote in Tricycle: The Buddhist Review. "As a dominant cultural force, consumerism offers products to address every dissatisfaction." So what's the antidote? Mindfulness -- the focused awareness on the present moment, which can be cultivated through meditation and contemplative practice -- may be an effective remedy to empty or compulsive consumption. As beat writer and American Buddhist thinker Allen Ginsberg put it in a 1966 letter to the Washington Post: "You own twice as much rug if you're twice as aware of the rug." IS MATERIALISM BAD? William James James describes the self as the totality of everything that one calls his or hers which includes the ‘material self’. In his book, The Principles of Psychology (1890), he mentioned that understanding the self can be examined through its different components: Its constituents ***** Self-feelings (the feelings and emotions they arouse) Self-seeking & Self- preservation (the actions to which they prompt) ***** The constituents of the self are composed of the material self ****** , the social self, the spiritual self, and the pure ego (Trentmann, 2016 & Green, 1997). James furthers that the material self ****** is about our bodies, clothes, immediate family, and home. Material Self Investment Diagram Body. The commodity that we cannot live without; We strive hard to make sure that our body functions well and good. Any ailment or disorder directly affects us. And we have certain preferential attachment or intimate closeness to certain body parts because of its value to us. Body Clothes Immediate Family Home

Clothes. According to Herman Lotze, “anytime we bring an object on the surface of our body, we invest that object into the consciousness of our personal existence taking in its contours to be our own and making it part of the self”. The fabric and style of the clothes we were bring sensations to the body to which directly affects our attitudes and behavior. Thus, clothes are placed in the second hierarchy of material self. Clothing is a form of self-expression. We choose and were clothes that reflect our self (Watson, 2014). Immediate Family. Our parents and siblings hold great important part of our self and what they do or become affects us. We place huge investment in our immediate family when we see them as the nearest replica of our self. Home. The earliest nest of our selfhood. This is an extension of self, because in it, we can directly connect our self. Russell Belk Belk theorized on how objects become extension of ourselves or our identities. These objects extend ourselves in space and time: a tool helps double our strength, a weapon extends our reach, a uniform helps us relate with a group, or a t-shirt can remind us of our own travels (Belk, 1988). He was also inspired by the works of the French philosopher, Jean-Paul Sarte who noted three ways through which we connect with objects:

Through controlling an object (e.g. learning how to ride a bike, teaching your dog a trick)
We make a connection with an object through either creating or buying it (Belk,
Knowing about something creates a connection between you and that objects of your interest (Belk, 1988) (e.g., earning a degree in engineering, biology, etc) Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi and Eugene Rochberg-Halton 2 Broad Forms of Materialism based on the purposes of consumption:
Instrumental materialism – goal attainment, general satisfaction, or self-definition is derived from an activity enabled by the possession; objects are used to further goals such as making life more manageable, safer, and more enjoyable.
Terminal materialism – possession only serves as a primary source of satisfaction such that life goals are reduced to acquisition and possession of things Erich Fromm
Characterological having – analogous to Terminal materialism; where consumption is unrelated to the fulfillment of needs and unproductive of a better way of life
Existential having – recognizes the need for some

budget. Watch movies, buy branded clothes, buy upgrades for your ride, etc as long as you keep these within the abovementioned premises.

Increase income flow. Try and find ways to have or increase your income, e.g., part-time job, online business, quality social media contents, etc.
Good debt vs. bad debt. Ideally, we must get out of debt before we can continue to make our money grow. It is about having a good record and personal identity. Bad debt are those we acquire but do not necessarily need and/or do not increase our financial capabilities. For example. A car loan whose amortization is outside your capability to pay. A good debt on the other hand, are those we acquire that can increase our financial capabilities. E.g., borrowing money to fund a business.
Make your money grow. Consider passive income sources such as stocks exchange, mutual funds, UITF, royalties, and real estate. Important tips to remember: (a) engage only in a business that you understand; do proper research, (b) do not engage in quick-money schemes because they are just made to profit those at the top of the pyramid, and (c) diversify, which meaning do not invest all your money in one place or one type of business.
Protect the future. Have an insurance for your health in case you have an accident or sickness so that your family and your loved ones will still be taken care of in times of emergency.
Your greatest investment is still yourself. The steps that have mentioned so far are all about keeping you safe and helping you grow financially. You must neve stop learning and improving yourself, your skills, and your passions among others. The more you know, the more opportunities you can see as well as traps to avoid. Health is also one of the greatest wealth once can have. So always take care of yourself; eat right, exercise, etc.
Enjoy life no matter what. Money is just a means to an end. Enjoy your profits, keep a good relationship with your family, have a healthy and romantic relationship, serve the community, take a hobby, engage in arts or sports, plant a tree, or adopt a stray pet. People lived meaning lives prior to the cash-oriented economy and we still can as long as we keep a healthy perspective on how we relate ourselves to the material world.

Physical self and material self, Lecture notes of Psychology

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