Physical Self

Physical Self

The body including physical extremities and internal organs; performs functions such as breathing, walking, eating, and sleeping; efficiency changes throughout life.

Life Span

Development period from conception to death; outlined by Elizabeth B. Hurlock in ten sequential stages.

Prenatal

Life span stage from fertilization to birth.

Infancy

Life span stage from birth to 2 weeks of life.

Babyhood

Life span stage from 2 weeks of life to 2 years old.

Early Childhood

Life span stage from 2 to 6 years old.

Late Childhood

Life span stage from 6 to 10 or 12 years old.

Puberty

Life span stage from 10 or 12 to 14 years old; marked by rapid physical changes and reproductive system maturation.

Adolescence

Life span stage from 14 to 18 years old.

Early Adulthood

Life span stage from 18 to 40 years old; physical efficiency generally peaks between ages 20 and 30.

Middle Adulthood

Life span stage from 40 to 60 years old; physical efficiency slowly declines.

Late Adulthood / Senescence

Life span stage from 60 years old to death.

Heredity

Biological process of trait inheritance from parents to offspring; one of two primary factors in physical growth.

Environment

External conditions and experiences including diet, nutrition, and disease exposure; influences physical growth and development alongside heredity.

Chromosomes

Thread-like structures carrying genes; humans have 23 pairs including 22 autosomes and 1 sex chromosome pair.

Autosomes

The first 22 pairs of chromosomes carrying trait-related hereditary information.

Gonosomes

The 23rd pair of chromosomes determining biological sex; also called sex chromosomes.

Genes

Primary carriers of hereditary traits; classified as dominant or recessive.

Dominant Genes

Strong genes that express traits more strongly.

Recessive Genes

Weak genes whose traits may be expressed only when paired together.

Body Image

How individuals perceive, think, and feel about their body and physical appearance; includes internal perception and external societal influence.

Appearance

Observable physical characteristics including height, weight, skin color, clothing, hairstyle, and others; reflects aspects of one's identity (DeLamater & Myers, 2012).

Self-Esteem

A person's overall evaluation of their own worth; correlated with body image and perceived appearance.

Anorexia Nervosa

Eating disorder where a person refuses food due to fear of gaining weight; may lead to severe starvation or death; most common among females aged 12–40.

Bulimia Nervosa

Eating disorder involving consumption of large food quantities followed by induced purging (Feldman, 2010).

Beauty

Quality or aggregate of qualities that gives pleasure to the senses or exalts the mind and spirit; includes inner qualities such as kindness, love, harmony, and peace, which may manifest outwardly.

Inner Beauty

Non-physical beauty emanating from within; expressed through character, actions, and virtues; precedes and may manifest as physical beauty.