PHYSICAL SELF

Physical Self

refers to the physical body of an individual

Gregor Mendel

Father of modern genetics

- discovered that traits are passed down from one

generation to the next in a predictable way

- it is through the genes that traits are passed down.

Heredity

the genetic transmission of heritable characteristics from parents to offspring

Dominant Inheritance

only the dominant gene is expressed (RR or Rr/rR)

Recessive Inheritance

the child receives identical recessive alleles, resulting in the expression of a nondominant trait (rr). Ex: red hair

Nature

the interplay between heredity (inborn traits & characteristics inherited from biological parents)

Nurture

The environment (nonhereditary, experiential influence)

Cultural Standards of Beauty

the varying definitions of beauty that depend on personal and cultural contexts

Giraffe women

a cultural practice in Myanmar & Thailand where women wear brass spiral rings around their necks to elongate them, starting from childhood

Elongated earlobes

a practice among the Masai tribe & other ethnic groups in Africa where women elongate their earlobes as a form of status

Pure white skin

an obsession in Oriental cultures (e.g., South Korea, China, Japan) where pale skin is a symbol of wealth

Plus size

in ancient Nigeria, being fat was viewed as a sign of prosperity, fertility, and beauty, with fattening rooms used among well-off families.

-Lackoff & Scherr (1989)

"Beauty was not just a product of wealth, but a commodity in and of itself. In words, it was no longer matter of looking to wealth to beauty, but of looking to beauty to find. Now, beauty could give the illusion of wealth.

Chromosomes

we have 23 pairs of chromosomes, including 22 pairs of autosomes and 1 pair of sex chromosomes (XX or XY)

Philippine Standards of Beauty

The concept of physical beauty in the _________ is influenced by colonial history and Eurocentric perspectives. we have a very Eurocentric perspective when it comes to beauty.

Body Image

- how individuals perceive, think, and feel about their body and physical appearance.

- Body image may be aligned or not aligned with an individual's actual appearance.

Appearance

Everything about a person that others can observe such as height, weight, skin color, clothes, and hairstyle.

Self-esteem

A person's overall evaluation of his/her own worth.

Causes of Poor Body Image

Emphasis on an ideal body by parents/society, bullying, peer pressure, and media representation.

Effects of Poor Body Image

Girls with higher body dissatisfaction are likely to experience depression and low self-esteem.

Anorexia Nervosa

An eating disorder where the person refuses to eat for fear of gaining weight, leading to severe starvation and death.

Bulimia Nervosa

An eating disorder characterized by uncontrollable binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors to avoid weight gain.

Body dysmorphia

A mental health condition where a person is excessively concerned about and preoccupied with perceived flaws in their physical appearance.

Importance of Beauty

- Beauty has historically been valued as it signals youth, health, and fertility.

- Attractive individuals often experience advantages in life:

- They are preferred as mates.

- They have more career opportunities (hiring, promotions, income).

- They are perceived more positively.

Eurocentric Perspective on Beauty

A viewpoint that prioritizes European standards of beauty, affecting local beauty ideals.

(Jeffreys, 2005). Celebrating Beauty in Diversity

Resisting cultural beauty standards is necessary to celebrate beauty in diversity, requiring a culture that rejects societal dictates on appearance (Jeffreys, 2005).