UTS Reviewer - Lessons 1-4

Detailed Breakdown of UTS Lesson 1 - Chapter 1

• A person’s name is often associated with their identity, but it does not define who they truly are.

• The self is not static or assigned at birth; it is something we continuously shape through experiences and choices.

• Death does not break the connection between a person and their name, as names are inscribed on gravestones, but the self is more than just a name.

Philosophical Perspectives on the Self

1. Socratic View of the Self (Socrates)

• First philosopher to systematically question the nature of the self.

• Believed that the true purpose of philosophy is to “Know thyself.”

• Famous quote: “The unexamined life is not worth living.”

• He believed that every person is composed of body and soul.

2. Dualism: Plato’s View of the Self

• Expanded on Socrates’ idea and proposed that humans have a dual nature:

  • Body (physical and mortal)

  • Soul (spiritual and immortal)

• The soul is divided into three parts:

  • Rational Soul (logic, wisdom)

  • Spirited Soul (emotions, courage)

  • Appetitive Soul (desires, pleasures)

• Justice and balance occur when these three parts work harmoniously.

3. Augustine’s View of the Self

• Agreed with Plato about the soul and body being separate.

• Believed that humans have a dual nature:

  • One part desires the world (imperfect, sinful).

  • One part longs for God (spiritual, capable of immortality).

4. Aquinas’ View of the Self

• Adapted ideas from Aristotle and stated that the self is made of two parts:

  • Matter (hyle) – The body, which is part of the material world.

  • Form (morphe) – The essence or soul, which makes us human.

5. Descartes’ View of the Self: “I Think, Therefore I Am”

• Known as the Father of Modern Philosophy.

• Believed that we should doubt everything to find absolute truth.

• His famous statement: Cogito, ergo sum ("I think, therefore I am").

• The self is divided into:

  • Mind (thinking part, consciousness, identity)

  • Body (a machine attached to the mind, but not the true self).

6. Hume’s View of the Self: “The Self is a Bundle of Impressions”

• Rejected the idea of a permanent self.

• The self is just a collection of experiences, thoughts, and sensations.

• Divided human perception into:

  • Impressions – Direct experiences (e.g., touching an ice cube).

  • Ideas – Mental images or memories of those experiences.

• There is no unified, unchanging self, only a constant flow of experiences.

7. Kant’s View of the Self: “The Self Organizes Experiences”

• The self is not just a collection of experiences; it actively organizes them.

• Our mind acts as a filter, helping us make sense of the world.

• Concepts like time and space do not exist outside of our minds; they are ways we understand reality.

• Without the self, we would not be able to connect past experiences to new ones.

8. Ryle’s View of the Self: “The Self is What We Do”

• Rejected the idea of an inner self or soul.

• The self is not a separate entity but is simply a person’s behavior and actions.

• Example: Looking for the “university” when visiting a campus—you won’t find a separate thing called a university because it is made up of buildings, people, and activities.

• Similarly, the self isn’t separate from actions—it is the sum of what we do.

9. Merleau-Ponty’s View of the Self: “The Self is Embodied”

• Believed that mind and body cannot be separated.

• Every experience is felt through the body (e.g., emotions affect the body, like feeling nervous before a test).

• The self includes:

  • Thoughts

  • Feelings

  • Physical body

• We exist in the world because of our bodies.

Key Takeaways from the Lesson

1. The self is more than just a name—it is something we shape over time.

2. There are many ways to understand the self, from unchanging (Socrates, Plato) to always changing (Hume, Ryle).

3. The self can be seen as mind (Descartes), behavior (Ryle), or embodied experience (Merleau-Ponty).

4. Self-reflection is important for understanding who you truly are.

Detailed Summary of UTS Lesson 2 - The Self, Society, and Culture

Introduction to the Self in Society and Culture

• When we are born, we do not automatically know societal expectations, such as boys liking blue and girls liking pink.

• We also learn respect through words like "po," "opo," "sir," "ma'am," "kuya," and "ate"—these are not inborn but taught by society.

• Philosophers have long debated about the self in relation to the mind and body, but this lesson focuses on how society and culture shape who we are.

Key Idea

• We are born into a social environment, we develop within it, and our thoughts, feelings, and actions are shaped by our interactions with others (Hughes & Kroehler, 2008).

Understanding Society and Culture

• A society is a group of people who share the same culture and interact within a given territory.

• Culture is divided into:

  1. Material culture – Physical objects like clothing, tools, buildings, religious items.

  2. Non-material culture – Beliefs, values, norms, language, and symbols.

Key Terms

• Norms – Rules on what is acceptable or unacceptable in certain situations.

• Values – Ideals or principles that guide behavior and define what is good or desirable.

• Social Institutions – Organized systems (e.g., family, government, education) that address societal needs.

Socialization

• The process of learning and internalizing the culture of society.

• It is lifelong—we continue learning as we grow.

Social Status and Self-Identity

• Status refers to a person's position in society.

  • Ascribed status – Given at birth (e.g., being the eldest child, being born into royalty).

  • Achieved status – Earned through effort (e.g., becoming a student leader).Example:

• A Prince has an ascribed status because he is born into royalty.

• A Student Council President has an achieved status because they were elected.

Theories on the Self, Society, and Culture

1. Symbolic Interactionism – George Herbert Mead

• The self is created, developed, and changed through social interaction.

• Key Ideas:

  1. The self does not exist alone—it is formed through experiences with others.

  2. We need others to confirm and shape who we are.

  3. Society influences what we value and consider important.

Social Institutions and Their Impact on the Self

• Social institutions shape our identity and behavior. The lesson highlights five key institutions:

  1. Kinship/Family

  • The most basic social institution.

  • Organizes people based on familial ties:

    • Consanguineal – Blood-related (siblings, parents, cousins).

    • Affinal – Related through marriage (husband and wife).

    • Social – Adopted or chosen family members.

  2. Economics/Market

  • Regulates the flow of resources and services to meet people's needs.

    • Example: A food committee ensures that meals are fairly distributed.

  3. Politics/Government

  • Maintains peace and order in society.

  • Legitimizes the use of power by certain individuals or groups.

  4. Education/School

  • Transmits knowledge, values, and culture from one generation to another.

  • Prepares people to be productive members of society.

  5. Religion/Church

  • Organized set of beliefs about the supernatural.

  • Provides meaning, purpose, and connection beyond life and death.

Reasons why people believe in religion

• a) Explains the unknown (e.g., creation, life after death).

• b) Gives life purpose and moral guidance.

• c) Continues relationships with loved ones even after death.

Detailed Summary of UTS Chapter 1 - Lesson 3: The Self as a Cognitive Construct

I. Introduction

• Modern researchers study the self from different perspectives, including nature, society, and individual psychology.

• Psychology focuses on cognitive functions but also considers social and environmental influences.

• The self is not a fixed entity but is shaped by mental processes, social interactions, and personal experiences.

II. Defining the Self

• The self is a sense of personal identity—it is how we define who we are.

• William James (1890) describes the self as having two aspects:

  • The “I” – The thinking, acting, and feeling self.

  • The “Me” – The physical and psychological characteristics that define a person.

• Carl Rogers (1959) also supports this idea, where:

  • The “I” is the active self that makes decisions.

  • The “Me” is how a person sees or thinks about themselves.

III. Identity and Self-Concept

• Identity includes personal characteristics, social roles, and group affiliations (e.g., nationality, family, religion, hobbies).

• Self-concept is what comes to mind when asked, "Who am I?"

• Both identity and self-concept change over time—they are not fixed.

IV. The Self as a Mental Construct

• Theories suggest that the self and identity are mental constructs stored in memory.

• The frontal lobe of the brain plays a key role in processing the self.

• Sigmund Freud theorized that self and behavior result from the interaction of:

  • Id – Instinctual desires.

  • Ego – Rational self.

  • Superego – Moral conscience.

V. Self-Awareness and Self-Schemas

• Self-awareness is when we recognize our own thoughts and identity.

• There are two types:

  • Private Self – Internal thoughts and feelings.

  • Public Self – How we present ourselves to others.

• Three Types of Self-Schema:

  • Actual Self – Who you are right now.

  • Ideal Self – Who you want to be.

  • Ought Self – Who you think you should be based on society’s expectations.

Effects of Self-Awareness:

• Positive Effects: Helps in making responsible decisions and avoiding harmful behavior.

• Negative Effects: Can lead to self-consciousness, where one worries about being judged.

VI. Deindividuation (Losing Self-Awareness in Groups)

• When in large groups, people lose individual identity and accountability.

• This leads to behaviors they wouldn’t normally do alone (e.g., mob mentality, riots).

• People in crowds may feel a sense of anonymity, leading to reduced self-control.

VII. Self-Esteem and Social Comparison

• Self-esteem is how we perceive and evaluate ourselves (positive or negative).

• Social Comparison Theory (Hogg & Vaughan, 2010) states that we learn about ourselves by comparing with others.

• Types of Social Comparison:

  1. Downward Social Comparison – Comparing yourself to someone worse off to feel better.

  2. Upward Social Comparison – Comparing yourself to someone better, which can be motivational or damaging.

VIII. Narcissism: Extreme Self-Admiration

• Some people try to boost self-esteem through narcissism—having an overly high self-image.

• Narcissists focus on improving their social image, such as choosing better partners, friends, and status symbols.

• This makes them bad friends and partners, as they form relationships only for personal gain.

Effects of Narcissism:

• They tend to be outgoing, adventurous, and adaptable.

• However, they leave relationships or activities that don’t boost their self-image.

• Narcissists may become bullies and are more likely to engage in risky behaviors (e.g., drugs, alcohol, casual sex).

IX. Key Takeaways from the Lesson

1. The self is a mental construct shaped by thoughts, emotions, and social interactions.

2. Self-awareness helps in decision-making but can also lead to self-consciousness.

3. Social interactions influence self-identity—we need others to affirm who we are.

4. People engage in social comparison to assess their self-worth.

5. Narcissism can arise when people overcompensate for self-esteem issues.

Detailed Summary of UTS Chapter 1 - Lesson 4: The Self in Western and Eastern Thoughts

I. Introduction

• Culture greatly influences how people view the self and interact with others.

• The world is often divided into Eastern and Western cultures:

  • Eastern = Asia

  • Western = Europe & North America

• Western theories dominate research on the self, but Eastern philosophies offer valuable perspectives that focus on the self’s connection to society and nature.

II. Eastern Philosophies on the Self

1. Confucianism (China)

• A system of ethical conduct that emphasizes harmonious relationships.

• The self is connected to society—one’s identity depends on their community.

• A person’s success or failure is shared by the whole group.

• Key Concept: “Subdued Self”

  • Personal desires are repressed for the good of many.

  • Society is hierarchical to maintain order and balance.

2. Taoism (China)

• Focuses on living in harmony with the Tao (universe).

• Unlike Confucianism, Taoism rejects rigid rules and hierarchy.

• Key Concept: Selflessness

  • The self is not just an extension of family or society—it is part of the universe.

  • Being open, adaptable, and free-flowing leads to balance and harmony.

  • Prejudices and egocentric thinking should be let go.

3. Buddhism (India)

• The self is an illusion—it is born out of ignorance and attachment.

• All suffering comes from clinging to the self and its desires.

• Key Concept: Forgetting the Self

  • Letting go of personal cravings and attachments leads to Nirvana (perfect happiness).

III. Eastern View on the Self

• The self is not the center—it exists within a larger social or natural framework.

• Becoming a better person means helping the community, not outshining others.

• Buddhism goes even further, saying that the self should be completely removed from focus.

IV. Western Philosophies on the Self

• Western thought focuses on individual identity.

• Society and environment are important, but the main focus is always on the self.

• Key Characteristics:

  1. Self-Improvement through Competition – People compare themselves to others to be better.

  2. Personal Achievements Matter – Individuals take pride in their own success.

  3. Independence Over Community – The self is the primary concern, while groups are only useful for personal goals.

V. Comparison of Eastern and Western Views on the Self

Key Takeaways

1. Eastern Thought focuses on harmony, selflessness, and the self’s role in society.

2. Western Thought emphasizes individual success, personal achievements, and competition.

3. The Confucian self is social, the Taoist self is natural, and the Buddhist self seeks detachment.

4. Western perspectives celebrate personal victories, while Eastern views prioritize collective harmony.

5. Understanding these differences helps us appreciate diverse ways of defining success and identity.

Study Guide for UTS Chapter 1 - Lesson 4: The Self in Western and Eastern Thoughts

Key Concepts & Terms

• Confucianism: Self is interwoven with society; personal needs are subdued for the greater good.

• Taoism: Self is part of the universe; harmony is achieved by accepting change.

• Buddhism: The self is an illusion; attachment leads to suffering.

• Eastern Thought: The self is connected to others, values harmony & balance.

• Western Thought: The self is individualistic, values competition & achievement.