WEEK 5 : The Physical Self

Physical Self

The tangible and observable aspect of a person’s body; shaped by biological and environmental factors.

Heredity

The transmission of traits from parents to offspring through genes.

Genotype

The genetic information contained within an individual’s genes.

Phenotype

The physical expression of a particular trait.

Chromosomes

Threadlike structures in the cell nucleus that store genes; humans have 23 pairs.

Sex Chromosomes

The 23rd pair of chromosomes that determine an individual’s biological sex.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

The molecule that carries genetic instructions for biological development.

Maturation

The process of unfolding or completing the growth of an individual’s inherent traits.

Environment

External factors such as social networks, culture, and society that shape an individual’s physical self.

Self=Understanding

A person’s cognitive representation and awareness of themselves; evolves through life.

Physical Characteristics

Visible features or traits of a person’s body, such as facial features, hairstyle, and figure.

Erik Erikson

A psychologist who emphasized the importance of the body and physical development in forming identity.

Competence

The ability to effectively manage and face life’s demands and complexities.

William James

Viewed the body as the initial source of sensation and essential for the origin and maintenance of personality.

Puberty

A brain=driven neuroendocrine process that triggers rapid physical changes marking the beginning of adolescence.

Menarche

A girl’s first menstrual flow, signaling reproductive maturity.

Spermarche/Semenarche

A boy’s first ejaculation or nocturnal emission (wet dream).

Pituitary Gland

The master endocrine gland that regulates growth and controls other glands, including the gonads.

Gonads

Sex glands that secrete hormones responsible for physical changes during puberty (e.g., body hair, breast development, voice change).

Self and Body Connectedness

The relationship between how one experiences the body and the sense of self, which can be positive or negative.

Perspectives in Understanding the Physical Self

Psychodynamic Perspective

Proposed by Freud; emphasizes the body ego, where body experiences form the basis of self=awareness and identity.

Cognitive=Behavioral Perspective

Focuses on perceptual, cognitive, and emotional aspects influencing how people think, feel, and behave toward their bodies.

Feminist Perspective

Explains that body image, especially among women, is shaped by social constructs and gendered expectations rather than individual pathology.

Factors Affecting Perception of the Physical Self

Personal Factors

Internal influences on how individuals view themselves.

Introspection

The process of observing and examining one’s internal mental and emotional state.

Self=Perception Theory

States that people infer their internal states by observing their behavior, as if viewing themselves from the outside.

Self=Concept

A person’s cognitive representation of self=knowledge, including beliefs, experiences, and values about themselves.

Personal Identity

The individual’s sense of who they are, shaped by both inherited traits (family, gender, nationality) and personal choices (career, values, beliefs).

Social Factors

External influences such as relationships, culture, and society that shape one’s physical self=perception.

Attachment Process and Social Appraisal

According to Bowlby (1969), self=worth develops through early caregiver interactions and how one’s needs are met.

Maintaining, Regulating, and Expanding the Self

The process of developing and managing one’s identity through interactions and relationships with others.

Looking=Glass Self Theory

Proposed by Charles Horton Cooley; states that a person’s self=concept develops through social interactions and how they believe others perceive them. Others act as a “mirror” reflecting how individuals see themselves.

Social Comparison Theory

Introduced by Leon Festinger (1954); explains that people evaluate themselves by comparing their traits, abilities, and opinions to others.

Upward Social Comparison

Comparing oneself to someone perceived as better, often leading to motivation or dissatisfaction.

Downward Social Comparison

Comparing oneself to someone in a worse situation, often to boost self=esteem.

Social Identity Theory (Collective Identity)

Formulated by Henri Tajfel and John Turner (1973); explains that people derive part of their self=concept from membership in social groups (e.g., gender, religion, profession), which enhances self=esteem and belonging.

Culture

A social system characterized by shared meanings and values attributed to people and events by its members.

Cultural Milieu

The environment of cultural influences that shape how individuals perceive their physical selves.

Social Constructionist Approach

Explains that physical traits like beauty, weight, and race gain meaning from cultural and social contexts rather than biology.

Essentialism

The belief that bodies and behaviors are entirely determined by biological factors such as genetics, hormones, and anatomy.

Reductionism

The idea that complex human behaviors can be simplified or explained purely by biological or physical functions.

Social Construction of Beauty

The culturally defined standards of attractiveness that influence self=esteem and body image.

Naturalization

The process by which socially created meanings (like beauty ideals) come to be seen as natural or permanent.

Social Skin

A concept by Terence Turner (1980) referring to how culture and society are inscribed onto the body, making it a symbol of social identity and norms.

Body as Contingent

The idea that the human body is shaped and molded by external factors such as culture, history, and social experience.

Mary Douglas (1973)

An anthropologist who viewed the body as a natural symbol and a means of social control, arguing that societies impose strict rules on bodily boundaries to maintain social order.

Erving Goffman (1982)

Introduced the Dramaturgical Theory, which compares social life to a theatrical performance where people engage in impression management—controlling behavior to influence how others perceive them.

Janes Gaines (1990)

Argued that women are often defined by what they wear, emphasizing that fashion plays a role in shaping identity and body image.

Body Image

A person’s mental representation of their physical appearance, including how they perceive, feel, and think about their body.

Positive Body Image

Acceptance and appreciation of one’s body regardless of societal beauty standards.

Negative Body Image

Dissatisfaction and distortion in one’s perception of their body, often influenced by societal and media standards.

Self=Esteem

The overall evaluation of one’s self=worth; how much a person values, likes, and appreciates themselves.

Cultural Influence on Self=Esteem

The way cultural norms and beauty standards shape how individuals feel about their bodies and self=worth.

Charles Darwin (1871)

Suggested that there is no universal standard of beauty; perceptions of beauty vary by culture.

Samuels and Ewy (1985)

Found that even infants show preferences for attractive faces, suggesting that some perceptions of beauty may have innate elements.

Society’s Ideal of Beauty

The culturally and media=imposed standard of the “perfect” physical form for men and women.

Media Influence

The reinforcement of beauty standards through television, film, print, and the internet, which shapes body image and self=esteem.

Body Diversity

Recognition that bodies naturally vary in size, shape, and structure due to genetics, and that these differences should be accepted.

Beauty

A socially and personally defined concept; true beauty depends on individual perception, not societal standards.