[AGE1 00] Lesson 1: The Physical Self

Shavelson

He describe the total self or general self as being made up of:

1. Academic self

2. Non-academic self

   • Social self

   • Emotional self

   • Physical self

Academic self

Influenced by the learning process and the individual’s emotions, behavior, and experiences during the learning process.

Non-academic self

• Shaped by an individual’s social self, emotional self, and physical self.

  • Social self

  • Emotional self

  • Physical self

Social self

It is greatly influenced by parents, colleagues, friends, and acquaintances, among others.

Emotional self

It is a person’s experiences of joy, anger, fear, anxiety, and other emotions.

Physical self

It is affected by involvement in sports, exercise, and other activities that enhance the physical body (Medišauskaite 2009). 

K.R. Fox

• He emphasized the factors that encompass physical self-esteem:

  • Sport competence

  • Attractive body

  • Physical power

  • Physical condition

Sport competence

• This refers to an individual’s perception of their ability and skill in sports and physical activities. 

• Feeling competent in sports can boost confidence and contribute positively to one’s self-esteem.

Attractive body

• This involves how attractive an individual perceives their body to be. 

• A positive body image, where one feels good about their appearance, can enhance self-esteem.

Physical power

• This relates to the perception of one’s physical strength and power. 

• Feeling strong and capable can lead to a higher sense of self-worth and confidence.

Physical condition

• This encompasses overall physical health and fitness. 

• Being in good physical condition can improve how one feels about themselves, contributing to higher self-esteem.

Physical self

• It is the amazing vessel, a complex, woven knitted, finely tuned creature in which we interact with our environment and fellow beings.

• It is the concrete dimension, the tangible aspect of the person that can be directly observed and examined. 

• It is composed of systems that receive and respond to various external and internal stimuli.

Sigmund Freud 

• His concept of self and personality makes the physical body the core of human experience. 

• He stated that ego is first and foremost a body ego. 

• Physical body as Core of human experience

• Ego as a body ego

Physical body as Core of human experience

• He believed that our bodily experiences are fundamental to our identity and psychological processes. 

• This means that how we perceive, feel, and interact with our physical body significantly influences our overall sense of self.

Ego as a body ego

• When Freud says that the ego is “first and foremost a body ego,” he means that our sense of self (ego) originates from our bodily sensations and perceptions. 

• The ego develops through our interactions with the physical world, starting from infancy.

Wilhelm Reich 

• He emphasized the unity of the mind and body. 

• The body is central to all dynamic psychological functioning and it plays a very important role in storing and channeling the bioenergy, which is considered as the basis of human existence and experience.

• Mind-Body Connection

  • Examples: 

    - Muscle Tension and Emotional Repression

    - Postural Changes

Muscle Tension and Emotional Repression

• When a person experiences trauma or intense emotions that they cannot express, their body may respond by tightening certain muscles. 

• For instance, someone who frequently suppresses anger might develop chronic tension in their jaw or neck. 

• This physical tension serves as a “shield” to prevent the expression of the repressed emotion.

Postural Changes

• Over time, these muscular tensions can alter a person’s posture. 

• For example, someone who feels emotionally burdened might develop a hunched posture, as if they are physically carrying a heavy load. 

• This change in posture reflects the psychological state of feeling overwhelmed or burdened.

Erik Erikson 

• He considered experience as firmly associated with the ground plan of the body. 

• He stated that organs of the body are essential during the early developmental stages of a person. 

• The formation and development of physical and intellectual skills greatly influence the ability of the individual to choose his role in the society and be fulfilled. 

• Physical health

• He also highlighted the incessant interplay of the body, psychological processes, and social forces (Singh 2020).

• Incessant Interplay

Physical health

• It is directly correlated to the competence of children. 

• Healthy children are more competent and therefore, will become more capable of acquiring complex skills than children who are undernourished and sickly. 

Incessant Interplay

• It  suggests that these three elements are constantly interacting with each other. 

• For example, social forces like cultural expectations can affect our psychological processes, which in turn can influence our physical health. 

• Similarly, our physical state can impact our mental health and how we interact with society.

Abraham Maslow 

• He provided the Hierarchy of Needs about our physical bodies. 

• Once the physiological needs are met, the person becomes dedicated to attaining the higher-order needs. 

• That is why he emphasized that we give due attention to all the needs of the body.

• A well-nourished, loved, respected individual experiences fulfillment. 

• On the other hand, deliberate, self-denial, and rejection of the body’s basic needs will result in an inactive, crippled organism. 

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

1. Self-Actualization

2. Esteem Needs

3. Social Needs

4. Safety Needs

5. Physiological Needs

Self-Actualization

Achieving full potential, seeking happiness.

Esteem Needs

Freedom, recognition, self-confidence, attention, competence. 

Social Needs

Friendships, intimacy, & family. 

Safety Needs

• Personal & Financial security, well-being.

• This involves the need for security and protection from physical and emotional harm. 

• For instance, someone living in a safe and stable environment can more readily pursue personal goals and engage in creative activities compared to someone constantly worried about their safety.

Physiological Needs

• Food, water, sleep, warmth, sex. 

• These are the basic needs for survival such as food, water, and shelter. 

• For example, a person experiencing hunger may find it difficult to focus on higher-level pursuits like self improvement or social connections until their physiological needs are met. 

What happens  to a teenager if the physiological needs are not met? 

1. Poor Academic Performance

2. Physical Health Problems

3. Mental Health Issues

4. Behavioral Issues

Poor Academic Performance

Lack of Proper nutrition and sleep can severely Affect concentration, memory and cognitive Functions, leading to ______.

Physical Health Problems

Insufficient food and rest can weaken the immune system, making teenagers more susceptible to illnesses and chronic health conditions. 

Mental Health Issues

• Inadequate physiological care can contribute to stress, anxiety, and depression. 

• Constantly worrying about basic needs can overwhelm A teenager’s mental state.

Behavioral Issues

Teens who struggle to meet their physiological needs might exhibit increased irritability, aggression, or withdrawn behavior due to constant discomfort and stress.

Teenagers can appreciate physical body by focusing on the following: 

1. Mindfulness and Gratitude Practices

2. Physical Activities

3. Education and Awareness

4. Creative Expression

Mindfulness and Gratitude Practices

Encourage them to take moments to consciously enjoy the simple pleasures of life---like the feel of the sunshine on their skin, the taste of their favorite food, or the joy of listening to music.

Physical Activities

Involving them selves in sports, dance, or any physical activity that they enjoy can help them realize how their bodies enable them to have fun and feel good.

Education and Awareness

• Learning about the body's functions and how it helps them experience life can foster a deeper appreciation. 

• Understanding that their body is a vehicle for experiencing pleasure can shift their perspective.

Creative Expression

Engage in arts like painting, playing instruments, or sculpting, where physical dexterity translates into beautiful creations, showing the tangible ways their bodies contribute to their joy.

Factors that Affect the Perception of the Physical Self

1. Personal Factors

2. Social Factors

Personal Factors

1. Introspection and self-reflection 

2. Self-Perception Theory 

3. Self-concept 

4. Personal identity

Introspection and self-reflection 

• Introspection 

  • It is the process by which one observes and examines one’s internal state (mental and emotional) after behaving in a certain way. (Hewstone)

  • Studies, however, show that introspection is limited because people are commonly motivated to keep unwanted thoughts and experiences out of memory and consciousness.

  • By regularly practicing it, they can start to see patterns in their behavior and emotions. 

  • This deeper understanding of their inner world allows them to develop strategies to manage their anxiety and build confidence over time. It's like having a conversation with themselves, which enhances their self-awareness and personal growth.

Introspection 

• It is the process by which one observes and examines one’s internal state (mental and emotional) after behaving in a certain way. (Hewstone)

• Studies, however, show that it is limited because people are commonly motivated to keep unwanted thoughts and experiences out of memory and consciousness. 

Self-Perception Theory 

Bem (1972) it explains that since one’s internal state is difficult to interpret, people can infer their inner states by observing their behavior.

Self-concept

• It is a cognitive representation of self-knowledge which includes the total of all beliefs that people have about themselves.

• It is a collection of all individual experiences involving one’s characteristics, social roles, values, goals, and fears. 

• Thus, it pertains to all characteristics the person enumerates when asked to describe who he is.

• Physical self-concept

Physical self-concept

It is the individual’s perception or description of his physical self, including his physical appearance.

Self Compassion 

• Start by being kind to yourself. 

• Avoid negative self-talk and treat yourself with the same kindness you would offer a friend.

Healthy Lifestyle 

• Engage in regular physical activity that you enjoy, eat balanced meals, and get adequate sleep. 

• Taking care of your body can improve how you feel about it.

Mindfulness

• Practice being present and mindful of your body. 

• Yoga, meditation, or simply taking time to notice your breathing and physical sensations can help you feel more connected and appreciative of your body.

Personal identity

• The concept a person has about himself that develops over the years including aspects of his life that he was born into like family, nationality, gender, physical traits, the choices he makes (e.g. what he does for a living, who his friends are and what he believes in.

• Personal choices

• Inherited aspects

Social Factors

1. Attachment Process and Social Appraisal 

2. Maintaining, Regulating, and Expanding the Self in Interpersonal Relationships 

3. The Looking-glass Self Theory 

4. Social comparison 

   • Upward social comparison

   • Downward social comparison

5. Social Identity Theory (Collective Identity) 

Attachment Process and Social Appraisal 

• According to Bowlby (1969), people learn about their value and lovability when they experience how their mothers or caregivers care for them and respond to their needs. 

• Caregiving that is consistent and appropriately responds to the infant’s needs promotes a positive self-concept; whereas caregiving that is neglectful and unresponsive creates a negative self-concept believing that they are not worthy and that others cannot be trusted. 

• This is developed prior to achieving self-awareness.

Maintaining, Regulating, and Expanding the Self in Interpersonal Relationships 

• The sense of self is continuously shaped through ongoing interaction with others or with significant relationship partners. 

• They act as “private audiences” with whom people carry an internal dialogue. 

• Oftentimes, however, people are not aware that they are being influenced by these private audiences.

The Looking-glass Self Theory 

• The view of oneself comes from a compilation of personal qualities and impressions of how others perceive the individual. 

• In _________, the self-image is shaped and reflected from the social world. 

• Other people’s reactions would serve as a mirror in which people see.

• Themselves particularly how they are perceived and judged by others. 

• Later in life, people internalize other people’s appraisal of them through more cognitively reflected processes.

• Reflected Appraisal

Reflected Appraisal

This are inferences regarding other’s appraisal of a person.

Social comparison 

• Hewstone et.al (2015) cited the work of Leon Festinger in 1954 and introduced another way of understanding oneself by comparing one’s traits, abilities, or opinions to that of others. 

• Social Comparison 

  • It is a process of comparing oneself with others in order to evaluate one’s abilities and opinions.

Social Comparison

It is a process of comparing oneself with others in order to evaluate one’s abilities and opinions.

Leon Festinger in 1954

Hewstone et.al (2015) cited the work of ______ and introduced another way of understanding oneself by comparing one’s traits, abilities, or opinions to that of others.

Social Comparison

Types of Comparison 

1. Upward social comparison 

2. Downward social comparison 

Upward social comparison 

• It happens when an individual compares himself to others who are better than him.

• Ex. An adolescent male who values a well-built, muscled physique compares himself to one who is a bodybuilder to inspire him to do workouts to get the abs that he desires. 

• On the negative, when an individual compares himself with someone better than him, he may experience inferiority, envy, or frustration.

Downward social comparison 

• It happens when an individual compares himself to someone who is in a worse situation than he is especially when he is feeling so low. 

• This may make him feel better knowing that he is more fortunate than this person. 

• On the other hand, comparing oneself to a less fortunate person may give rise to feelings of superiority and arrogance. 

• Facebook is the biggest venue of social comparison. 

• For a person to have a healthy self-image, it is important to never compare oneself to others. 

• Rather one should set realistic standards for himself.

Social Identity Theory (Collective Identity) 

• It formulated by Tajfel and Turner in 1979.

• It provides a framework for how people achieve understanding about themselves by being a member of their group. 

• People need a positive social identity which is why they connect to a wider social network. 

• This idea assumes that as a member of the group, they will not be discriminated by an out-group. 

• It will enhance their self-esteem because they feel secure with the shield of the group membership where they belong.

Tajfel and Turner

Formulated Social Identity Theory in 1979

Physical Body

• The _____ has been considered the “real home”, “temple”, or “vehicle”. 

  • It is the only one that we have throughout our entire lives and is also the one most intimate to us. 

• Our ______ is our instrument so we can perform our daily tasks. 

  • It is through this body that we can interact with other people, with other living organisms, and with the rest of our surroundings. 

• It is just vital that we take good care of every single structure that makes up our bodies. 

  • We have to make sure that it can function well. 

  • When we take good care of it, we are not only referring to the external part but even the internal components of the body.

• Self-care 

Self-care

• It  is the intentional, planned, and actual act of taking the time to attend to our basic physical, mental, and emotional needs (Brzosko 2018). 

• It is quality rest that we can offer to our bodies to replenish the lost energy utilized in performing our daily activities. 

• It is an act of love and kindness for ourselves.

• It occurs in three levels: 

  • Physical

  • Mental 

  • Emotional

• Taking care of the physical body also entails taking care of our mental and emotional lives. 

• They should go hand in hand. 

• We cannot be physically fit and healthy, yet emotionally unstable and mentally disturbed.

• We should be healthy in all three aspects. 

• Health starts from within and it then manifests outside. 

• Our good health springs from the mind, which stimulates the heart, and the heart energizes the physical body.

3 Levels of Self-care

1. Physical

2. Mental 

3. Emotional

Physical self-care

• This aspect of self-care is the simplest one and is very common nowadays. 

• There are three basic aspects of ___ :

  • Good nutrition.

  • A sufficient amount of recovery time (rest and sleep)

  • Necessary exercise.

3 basic aspects of physical selfcare

• Good nutrition.

• A sufficient amount of recovery time (rest and sleep)

• Necessary exercise.

Mental self-care

• Our thoughts can be confusing and complex sometimes.

• It is a two-fold process, according to Brzosko (2018): 

  • To consistently break down what you are thinking and why you are thinking

  • To cultivate those mental habits and thoughts that benefit us 

Our thoughts for improving our mental health habits as suggested by Brzosko (2018): 

1. Focus your attention on the present moment.

2. Practice gratitude.

3. Exercise patience. 

4. Learn to accept what is already happening.

Emotional self-care

• In his book, The Presence Process, Michael Brown stated that all emotions are essential “energy in motion”. 

  • They are not good nor bad. 

  • They are just energy (Brzosko 2018). 

Michael Brown

Author of “The Presence Process”