MIDTERMS

MIDTERMS-UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

Construction of Self and Personality

Sigmund Freud

the dynamic forces within the self are many and in inevitable conflict. He argues that the mind is composed of three structures through which personality is formed:

The Id -characterized by its need to satisfy basic urges and desires. Id is the pleasure-seeking side, impulsive, child-like, and demands instant gratification. Devil within self

The Ego- refers to I and operates on the reality principle and controls the id. The ego can conform with existing societal consideration. Person in the middle

The Superego -“conscience” and “moral judge” of one’s conduct. Violation of rules leads to feelings of guilt. It strives for perfection rather than pleasure. Angel

Freud uses the term “ego strength” to refer to the ego’s ability to resolve conflict between the three structures. If this constant state of conflict is unresolved, personality problems may arise.

In Freud’s view, the id, ego, and superego develop in a series of stages. Freud calls these the psychosexual stages of development that progress through five stages. Freud believes that each stage has needs and that the dissatisfaction of needs may result in fixation which could have lasting negative effects on one’s personality.

Oral stage – the first stage, which lasts from birth up to the first year of life. In this stage, babies derive pleasure from oral activities like sucking and biting. Overindulgence of oral needs may lead to oral incorporative personality disorder such as alcoholism, overeating, and smoking. While dissatisfaction may lead to oral aggressive personality such as sarcasm and tactlessness.

Anal stage- occurs in second year of life. In this stage, the child derives pleasure from elimination of bod wastes. Through toilet training, the child learns the basic rules of society. Anal fixations can lead to:

anal retentive personality disorder -obsessions with cleanliness
anal expulsion personality disorder -clumsiness.

Phallic Stage – which usually occurs around ages 3 and 6. Children in this stage derive pleasure from examining, touching, fondling, or displaying their genitals. These behavior is more likely motivated by curiosity about the differences between the anatomy of man and woman. Fixations in this stage may lead to abnormal sexual behaviors in later life.

Latency Stage – lasts from 7 to 12 years of age. At this stage sexual energy is repressed because children become occupied with school.

Genital Stage – starts from adolescence to adulthood. Pleasure is again derived from genital area and individuals seek to satisfy their sexual drives from sexual relationships.

The Role of Erik Erikson’s Theory in Understanding the Self

In Erik Erikson’s theory adolescence is a period of identity development.

Identity formation- usually viewed as a process that requires adolescents to distance themselves from the strong expectations and definitions imposed by parents and other family members.

Erikson’s theory proposes that individuals go through eight psychosocial stages of development. While Erikson believed that each stage is important, he gives emphasis on the development of the ego.

The ego- positive force that contributes to identity formation and lays the foundation for certain strengths and virtues in life such as hope, will, purpose, competence, fidelity, love, care, and wisdom.

Trust vs. Mistrust first psychosocial stage. Occurring in the first year of life. If a child is properly cared for he/she will develop trust, and if not, the child will develop mistrust.

Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt Occurring during the first three years of life. When a child begin to assert their independence and parents allow the children to explore, they develop autonomy, while if the parents become overprotective with their child, it develops shame and doubt with their abilities.

Initiative vs. Guilt occurring around 3 to 5 years of age. Develops sense of responsibility among children lead to development of initiative, while a child who made to feel irresponsible might develop feelings of guilt.

Industry vs. Inferiority Occurring during elementary school years. During this stage, children face the task of developing knowledge and skills usually taught in schools. If children receives encouragement they will develop a sense of industry, while if they receive little or no encouragement, they likely to develop inferiority.

Identity formation vs Identity confusion takes place during adolescence. Adolescents face the tasks of finding out who they are, what they are, and what they want in life. If parents provide adequate support the child develops positive identity, if they are not supported, the child might feel insecure and identity confusion.

Intimacy vs. Isolation occurs during early adulthood when people explore personal relationships. During this sixth stage of development, Erikson believes it is vital that people develop intimate relationship with others. Those who are successful will likely form relationship that are stable and successful. Inability to develop intimate relationships will lead to mistrust and isolation.

Generativity vs. Stagnation middle adulthood. Generativity involves a person’s desire to contribute to the world By teaching, leading, and guiding the next generation and doing activities that will benefit the community. Developing sense of generativity, it's an important during this stage those who will fail to attain this generativity will feel worthless.

Integrity versus Despair is the final psychosocial stage during old age and is focused on self reflection in one’s life. At this stage individuals reflect on the important events of their lives. If they are satisfied and proud of their accomplishments, they will feel a sense of integrity. those who are unsuccessful in this stage it was fear that their life has been wasted and will experience regrets and despair.

UNPACKING THE SELF

Unpacking the self is a gradual unfolding, a growth process, in which the aspect that surround the self and identity develop in an integrated and healthy way. the self continues to unfold throughout the life, but it develops and unfolds essentially during adolescence when young people struggle to come to terms with their identity. All of these aspects are equally important in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the self.

The Physical Self

The physical self refers to the body. Both physical extremities and internal organs work together for the body to perform many of its functions such as breathing, walking, eating, and sleeping, among others. The body’s ability to perform its functions gradually changes through an individual’s aging.

The body function least during infancy and old age. Physical efficiency generally peaks in early adulthood between ages of twenty and thirty, and slowly declines into middle ages.

Physical development and growth during childhood continue at a slow rate compared to the rapid rate of growth in babyhood.

Adolescence begins with the onset of puberty. This stage is characterized by rapid physical changes that include the maturation of the reproductive system.

Life span refers to the development from conception to death.

Elizabeth B. Hurlock outlines the stages in the life span:

Prenatal – fertilization to birth
Infancy – birth to 2 weeks of life
Babyhood – 2 weeks of life to 2nd year
Early childhood – 2 to 6 years old
Late childhood – 6 to 10 or 12 years old
Puberty – 10 to 12 to 14 years old
Adolescence – 14 to 18 years old
Early adulthood – 18 to 40 years old
Middle adulthood – 40 to 60 years old
Late adulthood or senescence – 60 to death

Two factors affecting physical growth and development

Physical growth and development is the product of heredity and environment.

Heredity- biological process of the inheritance of traits from parents to offspring.

Environment- refers to the factors an individual is exposed to throughout life which includes learning and experiences.

Theories of Physical Self

The theory of physiognomy suggest that a person’s physical characteristics such as facial features and expressions and body structures could be related to a person’s character or personality.

Five Element Theory

makes us use the elements of water, wood, fire, earth, and metal as archetypes for everything occurring in the natural world. Each element is correlated to seasons, colors, shapes, sounds, as well as facial features, body types, the body’s major organs, and behavioral tendencies.

Theory based on prominence of body fluids

An excess of or deficiency in any of the four bodily fluids (or humors) in a person influences their personality, temperament, and well-being.

Theory based on prominence of body fluids

sanguine type- red bile. They tend to be impulsive, cheerful, happy, and optimistic.

Melancholic- black bile. They tend to be depressed and pessimistic.

Choleric- yellow bile. They are easily angry, jumpy, and temperamental.

Phlegmatic- excess phlegm. They tend to be sluggish, dull, and slow.

Body-type Theory by William Sheldon

Based on physical characteristics. Three body types are:

Endomorphic – body type is soft and plump.

Mesomorphic – characterized by a strong muscular body.

Ectomorphic – body type is tall and thin.

Body Image

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

Appearance refers to everything about a person that others can observe such as height, weight, skin color, clothes, and hairstyle. Through appearances, an individual is able to show others what kind of person he or she is.

Body image is related to self-esteem which is a person’s overall evaluation of his or her own worth. It can affect both adolescent’s physical and psychological well-being. Adolescents tend to experience negative self-image because they are in a stage of development that is probably confusing them. Girls are more concerned about their physical appearance than boys. The girls greatest concern that girls express about their bodies is how they conform to idealized notions of beauty.

The way adolescents react to their physical appearance depends in part on sociocultural factors. The emphasis that peers, parents, or the media put on ideal body types which is slim or thin leads girls to experience body dissatisfaction (Grabe, Ward, & Hyde, 2008; Dunkley, Wertheim, & Paxton, 2001).

For both boys and girls, bullying and peer pressure are associated with greater body dissatisfaction.

Television, advertising, music, and movies are full of women who are thin, thus constructing the notion that the ideal body shape is slim. Some girls and young women compare themselves to models and actresses in advertisements.

The result is that they try to change their physical appearance either through cosmetic surgery, dieting, or excessive exercise. For girls, in particular, too much concern with thinness and the ideal body shape may result in body dissatisfaction.

Girls who have higher body dissatisfaction and likely to experience depression, low self-esteem, and eating disorders (Demello, 2014).

The Importance of Beauty

In Egyptian art, beauty is perceived in women with slim, high waist, narrow hips, and long black hair.

Renaissance period women with a full figure and rounded hips were considered beautiful

Standards of beauty have changed over time due to changing cultural values. Even so, all cultures have more or less the same concept of what is beautiful. Beauty has always been considered important throughout history because these features indicate youth, health, good genes, and fertility (Demello, 2014).

Advertisements, magazines, and televisions are filled with good- looking faces which emphasize the value of physical attractiveness. People tend to be influenced by the beautiful faces and bodies they see in media in the way they determine what is beautiful and what is not.

As long as the fashion industry dictates what is beautiful, be it for men or women, many people can never be satisfied with their bodies. They are willing to spend a great deal of money to pay for the physical attractiveness that they want to achieve.

Forms of body modification: Tattooing and piercing have been practiced across the globe since ancient times. Traditionally, tattooing and piercing were considered s of one's strength, bravery, and social status. Signs

Forms of body modification: Cosmetic surgery is another form of body modification which includes surgical and non-surgical procedures to restore, reconstruct, or alter body parts

Whether beauty is biologically programmed or culturally constructed, it remains important in all societies.

Admittedly, attractive people have a lot of advantages in life.

Studies have shown that men and women who are physically attractive have more opportunities in finding jobs, getting promotions, and having higher income. Also, some people tend to view attractive people as happier, smarter, and better people. Generally, unattractive people are less liked and assisted (Demello, 2014).

Different cultures have different definitions and perceptions of beauty. People often say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder