[USELF] L5| PHYSICAL, MATERIAL, AND DIGITAL ASPECT OF SELF

PHYSICAL SELF

refers to the body. It is the tangible aspect of a person that can be directly observed and examined. This is defined by physical characteristics that are visible.

PHYSICAL SELF

plays an important role in helping us answer the deep question, "Who am I? Otten, we tend to judge others-and even ourselves-based on appearance. Sadly, many of us allow how we look to shape our identity.

beautiful

[PHYSICAL SELF]

Society has created certain standards for how we should look. Things like the clothes we wear, our skin color, body type, height, or even the makeup we use to appear "_______" can strongly influence how we see and value ourselves.

BEAUTY

[PHYSICAL SELF]

is difficult to define because it means different things to different people. It is shaped by personal taste, culture, and experience. While some see _____ in physical appearance, others find it in personality, actions, or even in imperfections

Physical appearance

[PHYSICAL SELF]

is easier to assess briefly, so it often becomes the default criterion for judging beauty, especially in superficial or casual encounters. This is influenced by both genetics and the environment, and an individual has no control over or choice in how they look.

BEAUTY

[PHYSICAL SELF]

is more than just what we see on the outside. While it often refers to physical appearance-like facial features, body shape, or style-true _____ goes beyond looks. It includes a person's character, kindness, confidence, and how they treat others.

halo effect

[PHYSICAL SELF]

These study findings can be linked to a type of cognitive bias known as the _______—also called the physical attractiveness stereotype or the "what is beautiful is good" principle-describes the tendency of people to view attractive individuals more positively, often assuming they have better personalities or traits than those who are less physically attractive.

structure of the face

[PHYSICAL SELF]

Meanwhile, according to evolutionary psychology, our faces have certain features that can show what kind of partner someone might be in a romantic relationship. One of the key things people notice is the __________, which often follows typical male or female traits.

Okay cuh

WHAT DID PSYCHOLOGY DISCOVER ABOUT BEAUTY?

• Research found that a person who is perceived as attractive makes more money than a person of below-average looks. In politics, voters who are not actively engaged in social and political issues choose candidates based on "looks" 90% of the time.

hormones

[PHYSICAL SELF]

These facial features are shaped by our _______. For men, higher testosterone affects how their faces develop, while for women, estrogen plays a big role. We're naturally drawn to these features because they can be signs of good health and strong genetics.

Body image

[PHYSICAL SELF]

is how a person thinks and feels about their own body. Culture has a big influence on how people see themselves and their bodies.

Culture

[PHYSICAL SELF]

People often see their ______ as an important part of who they are. That's why they tend to take part in these kinds of activities, choose friends, media, and even life partners who share the same ____ (Yam, 2013; Yeh & Huang, 1996). When ____ is meaningful to someone, it's hard not to be influenced by it—both consciously and unconsciously.

thinness

[PHYSICAL SELF]

For example, different cultures have different "ideal" body types. Since the 1960s, _______ has been the beauty standard for white American women. In the Philippines, Western culture-especially American ideals-has had a strong impact. There's a lot of focus on dieting and appearance. Photos are often edited to look perfect, and this can negatively affect how people feel about their own bodies.

One study even found that many young Filipino women were unhappy with their bodies, possibly because of unrealistic standards and a strong pressure to be ____.

Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale

[PHYSICAL SELF]

is a widely used, 10-item questionnaire developed by sociologist Dr. Morris Rosenberg in 1965 to measure an individual's overall global self-worth and self-acceptance. It is the most common self-esteem assessment in social science and clinical research.

Self-esteem

[PHYSICAL SELF]

is how you feel about yourself. It's the value you give to your own worth, and how much you believe you're capable and worthy of love and respect.

Body image

[PHYSICAL SELF]

is how you perceive your own physical appearance and how you think others see you. For many people, especially teenagers, this is strongly connected to self-esteem.

Body image

[PHYSICAL SELF]

If you have a positive ________, you likely accept and appreciate yourself as you are, even if you don't meet society's ideal of "beautiful" or "handsome." This healthy attitude can help you focus on other important aspects of life, such as building friendships, becoming more independent, and challenging yourself mentally and physically. All of these things can help improve your self-esteem.

I SHOP THEREFORE I AM: I HAVE, THEREFORE I AM?

[MATERIAL ASPECT]

In the "______________" trend report we are looking into the world of consumer culture. Shopping has turned into a lifestyle. At what point does the accumulation of material goods become less fulfilling and more stressful and overwhelming? People are slowly realizing that the power of consumption is stopping us from finding true and sincere happiness, and that shopping often works as a substitute for something that we are missing in life. As a primary consumer, the issue is about what we buy and what we choose to invest in.

Consume

[MATERIAL ASPECT] is defined as "use up, to spend wastefully, to destroy" (Gusdorf, 1978). The definition shows this has a negative connotation. There is, however, a positive side to this that is often neglected. (Production)

free will

[MATERIAL ASPECT]

Consumers are often portrayed as "victims," exploited by greedy companies. However, you should take note that every person has "_______." Therefore, choices are important. As a consumer, ______ comes with responsibility and obligation. Conscious consumption is about practicing responsible buying habits.

Production

[MATERIAL ASPECT]

Behind consumption, there is ________. Consumers keep companies alive. These companies pay people whose earnings put food on the table. Such is the pattern of consumption. Thus, it cannot be denied that this is important.

Consumption

[MATERIAL ASPECT]

As mentioned earlier, for many people these days (with the younger generation as the vulnerable group) happiness seems attached to buying something. _________ has become an addiction. Many people have forgotten there are things in life that can bring true and lasting happiness, such as spending time with family and/or friends; to have "me" time; enjoy nature; to read, etcetera.

identity

[MATERIAL ASPECT]

Mach (1993, p.7) argued that ______ is a symbolic idea. It is an image we build for ourselves through social interaction. Thus, a person's _______ is dynamic and context- dependent. It is improved through communication with others and through different ways that a person interacts within the cultural atmosphere and social relations.

• Social relations of power, and

• Symbolic image of the world.

[MATERIAL ASPECT]

Factors that affect identity: (2)

identity

[MATERIAL ASPECT]

A social category defined by membership rules, characteristic attributes, or expected behaviors; Socially distinguishing features that an individual takes pride in having.

Erik Erikson

[MATERIAL ASPECT]

"Identity" as we know it is now mainly derived from the work of psychologist ________ in the 1950s. Identity may refer to a social category defined by membership rules, characteristic attributes, or expected behaviors and socially distinguishing features that an individual takes pride in having.

1. Consumer culture is a culture of consumption.

2. Consumer culture is the culture of market society.

3. Consumer culture is universal and impersonal.

4. Consumer culture identifies freedom with private choice and life.

5. Consumer needs are insatiable and unlimited

6. Consumer culture is a privileged medium for building personal identity and status.

[MATERIAL ASPECT]

Meanwhile, studies have observed that every waking moment in a modern lifestyle has become a cycle of "alternating time-space for work and time-space for consumption* (Sassatelli, R, 2007, p.3). Slater (1997) outlined some main features and characters in consumer culture: (6)

Consumerism

[MATERIAL ASPECT]

This strongly influences modern life. It's not just about ads-it's the idea that buying more leads to happiness and success. We get caught in a cycle of wanting the latest gadgets, clothes, and trends, spending time, energy, and money we may not have. Social media makes us compare ourselves to others, leaving us feeling dissatisfied. This mindset keeps us constantly consuming. In the end, this shapes not just how we act, but also how we think.

Consumerism

[MATERIAL ASPECT]

is intrinsically woven into the fabric of modern society. Society needs cultural shift to move away from the culture of ______. Social changes do not happen overnight, therefore, it is best to take immediate steps in your own life to release yourself from the grip of ________.

Consumerism

[MATERIAL ASPECT]

The Problem with ________

1. It is intrusive.

2. It is manipulative.

3. It cannot provide many of the things that are important to us.

4. It restricts our choices and lives.

5. It affects our worldviews and characters.

6. It is unsustainable.

intellectual independence

[MATERIAL ASPECT]

Exercise _____________. Be aware of how consumerism controls your life. Try to defend yourself from unwanted external pressures. Ignore advertising. Think for yourself. Question all information given to you, and start looking for information yourself.

Consume less, live more

[MATERIAL ASPECT]

_______________. Stop and think about the influences of consumerism in your life. Then, think about what really matters to you and how you want to live it. Strive to live the life you want, not how others think you ought to live.

digital self

[DIGITAL ASPECT] The self that is constructed online

• Oriented inward;

• Narrative in nature;

• Retractable; and

• Multipliable

[DIGITAL ASPECT] The self that is constructed online is generally called the digital self. Analyses of the experiences of online users (especially teenagers) have shown that the characteristics of the digital self are (Zhao, 2005): (4)

oriented inward

[DIGITAL ASPECT]: characteristics of the digital self

The digital self is __________ toward the world of thoughts and feelings because others cannot see the online user's overt attributes.

narrative in nature

[DIGITAL ASPECT]: characteristics of the digital self

The digital self is __________ because online users will only come to know the person primarily through what that person tells them.

retractable

[DIGITAL ASPECT]: characteristics of the digital self

The digital self is __________ because others are unable to link the online self-claims to the offline identities.

multiplicable

[DIGITAL ASPECT]: characteristics of the digital self

The digital self is __________ because people can interact with one another in different domains of the online world at relatively the same time.

self- presentation

[DIGITAL ASPECT]

People can present themselves online however they want, a process known as __________. Research shows that online __________ tends to focus more on surface-level information.

self-perception

[DIGITAL ASPECT]: Self- Presentation

For example, a study found that people between 18 to 39 years old were more likely to share their interests online rather than their deeper beliefs and feelings (Attrill & Jalil, 2011). This limits the feedback they receive, which in turn affects their _________.

• Strangers

• People you know both online and offline

• People you know only online

[DIGITAL ASPECT] When it comes to online interactions, there are three main types of people you engage with: (3)

Strangers

[DIGITAL ASPECT]: three main types of people you engage with.

People you don't know at all.

People you know both online and offline

[DIGITAL ASPECT]: three main types of people you engage with.

People you're familiar with in real life and also interact with online.

People you know only online

[DIGITAL ASPECT]: three main types of people you engage with.

People you interact with regularly through the internet, but have never met face-to-face.

Self-presentation behavior

[DIGITAL ASPECT]

is any behavior intended to create, modify, or maintain an impression of ourselves in the minds of others. Whenever we are attempting to lead people to think of us in a particular way, we are engaging in self-presentation.

Self presentation

[DIGITAL ASPECT]

• Helps facilitate social interaction;

• Enables individuals to attain material and social rewards; and

• Helps people privately construct desired identities.

Impression management

[DIGITAL ASPECT]

is the attempt to control or influence any other people's perceptions. This could be their perception of a certain person (including you), a material possession, or an event.

Instrumental, Expressive

[DIGITAL ASPECT] There are two main motives of attempting to manage the impressions of others: (2)

Instrumental

[DIGITAL ASPECT]: Impression management

This motive is to basically gain rewards and increase one's self-esteem.

Expressive

[DIGITAL ASPECT]: Impression management

This motivation is about attempting to be in control of one's personal behavior and identity. It is a response to moral norms, expectations, or restrictions, seeking to show others that he or she, as a person, is different.

Self-Promotion

[DIGITAL ASPECT]: Impression-management Strategies

Highlighting your skills or achievements to show you're competent, especially to impress someone important.

Ingratiation

[DIGITAL ASPECT]: Impression-management Strategies

Trying to be liked or accepted by giving compliments, gifts, or acting similarly to the other person.

Exemplification

[DIGITAL ASPECT]: Impression-management Strategies

Showing dedication by making sacrifices or working hard so others see you as committed or hardworking.

Intimidation

[DIGITAL ASPECT]: Impression-management Strategies

Displaying power or authority to make others see you as strong or someone not to mess with.

Supplication

[DIGITAL ASPECT]: Impression-management Strategies

Playing up weaknesses or struggles to get help or sympathy from others.

FEAR OF MISSING OUT (FOMO)

[DIGITAL ASPECT]

particularly in relation to digital media, is a phenomenon that reflects an anxiety about not being connected to or missing out on the experiences, information, or social interactions that others are having, often mediated by digital platforms. This fear is intricately tied to how individuals shape and perceive their digital self or online identity.

Social Media and the Digital Self

[DIGITAL ASPECT]: FOMO

_________ platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok allow users to curate and share aspects of their lives, creating a "________" that is often idealized or filtered. The constant stream of updates can create a sense of inadequacy or a fear of not measuring up, leading to FOMO.

Digital FOMO and Social Comparison

[DIGITAL ASPECT]: FOMO

The comparison between one's offline life and the highly curated, often exaggerated lives of others online is a key driver of FOMO. This can contribute to negative emotions, such as loneliness or dissatisfaction, as users see others engaging in experiences or having opportunities they may feel excluded from.

Digital FOMO and Social Comparison

[DIGITAL ASPECT]: FOMO

The comparison between one's offline life and the highly curated, often exaggerated lives of others online is a key driver of FOMO. This can contribute to negative emotions, such as loneliness or dissatisfaction, as users see others engaging in experiences or having opportunities they may feel excluded from.

Impact on Well-being and Mental Health

[DIGITAL ASPECT]: FOMO

The constant checking of social media and the anxiety over missing out on events or experiences, even if they are digitally mediated, can contribute to increased stress, depression, and anxiety. The pressure to stay connected or "up-to-date" with everyone else can deteriorate well-being.

Digital FOMO and the Fear of Not Having a "Complete" Digital Identity

[DIGITAL ASPECT]: FOMO

Users may worry that their digital presence is incomplete or not as "complete" as others' because of not being constantly present, active, or engaged on multiple platforms. This creates a sense of missing out not only on events but also on the perception of a fully constructed or validated digital identity.

FEAR OF MISSING OUT (FOMO)

[DIGITAL ASPECT]

is not just a social issue but also a psychological one, intricately connected to the ways we construct and validate our digital selves in a world increasingly mediated by digital platforms. The interplay of digital identity and _____ can have significant effects on mental health, self-esteem, and the ways we engage with both real and virtual environments.