PERSPECTIVE OF THE SELF

Essential question:
How do different disciplines explain
the concept of
UNIT
This unit gives highlight to the concepts and nature of
understanding the self
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Intended learning outcomes
Discuss the different perspectives of the
self in accordance to the
self? representations and conceptualizations
of different disciplines.

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 DIAGNOSTICS
Instructions: If you think the statement is correct, write agree.
Otherwise, write disagree.

1. We are what we are right now because we want to be like this.

2. Different philosophers hold the same views about the self.
3. Philosophers used empirical and rational lens in defining the
self.
4. Science explains the biological evolution of the self.
5. The physical aspect of the self is the only scientific standpoint
that matters.
6. Social institutions have an influence on people's lives.
7. People do not need other to survive.
8. One's behavior is affected by the people around him or her.
9. Family has a big impact on our belief and values.
10. Filipino does not tolerates a double standard mentality.
11. Culture is important in the development of the self.
12. Different psychologists explain how the self develop
throughout the lifespan.
13. Everything one learns become permanently stored in his or
her memory.
14. People have an innate capacity to analyse information.
15. Individuals have mixed traits of western and eastern
perspective.

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AN OVERVIEW OF SELF/IDENTITY
The self is one of the most interesting topics that people talk about
everyday. We may not be conscious about it but every time we mention
the ‘I’ e.g., I will go to school, I hangout with my friends, I like to eat
burger, we are talking about the self as “actors”. Further, we always
mention the ‘me’ as the object, e.g., tell me about it, give me
something, it makes me feel awesome. Noticeably, the Self composes
both the I- as an actor and the Me- as the object. Our interest about
the self is even more evident in the functional word variations of I and
Me that we use in our everyday language depending on our purpose
(e.g., my, mine, myself, etc.).
Our consciousness of the existence of the Self has been almost
automatic or reflexive and we are almost unaware that in our everyday
lives we are constantly talking about it.

Many scholars (i.e., theorists, scientists, philosophers) in different fields and across generations have
attempted to explain and thoroughly expound on several issues and controversies about the nature,
existence, and dimensionality of self. The most prevalent among issues on self, are the issues on:

SELF VS. IDENTITY

NATURE VS. NURTURE

UNI VS. MULTI

DIMENSIONALITIES

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 ISSUE NO. 1.
NATURE VS. NURTURE

NATURE
Biological sciences which explain that our traits are passed on to
humanity from one generation to another, and these transmitted traits
served as a blueprint of our self and make us predispose to certain self-
expressions (e.g., attitude, behavior, tendencies, etc.). Here, the self is
being studied structurally and functionally, from the molecular level to the
entirety of human physiological systems. Genetics for example
contributed so much information about the descriptions of the self. This
field of biology primarily deals with the study of heredity (transmission of
traits and characteristics from generation to another) as a process, as well
as on the characterizations (similarities and differences) of organisms.
NURTURE
Social Sciences argue though that the self should be principally viewed as
an outcome of various nurturing factors in the context of one’s social life.
Social Sciences have provided manifold of insights and explanations
about the self both on the micro and macro level of one’s social life.
Different fields of social science stresses how group life (formal and
informal) affects individuals’ behavior and attitude, and emphasizes on the
impact of various social institutions to the self-construal of an individual.

While some insist that the self is predominantly a product of natural processes to which people are
inherently predisposed, some argue that the self is largely influenced and principally constructed by
one’s social environments.

LET’S REFLECT : WHAT IS YOUR STAND ON THE ISSUE?

While arguments about the predominance of either nature or nurture are still unresolved, we could
settle for an eclectic standpoint on this issue. We can safely assume that our self is BOTH a product of
NATURE and NURTURE.

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 ISSUE NO. 2.
SELF VS. IDENTITY
While some insist that the self is predominantly a product of natural processes to which people are
inherently predisposed, some argue that the self is largely influenced and principally constructed by
one’s social environment. Self and Identity are topics that remain popular not only among psychologists
(authors of psychology articles) but also to other social scientist like sociologists, cultural
anthropologists, economists, among others. Noticeably, the term self and identity in various literatures
have been loosely interchanged by many authors. For many, there is a very thin conceptual and
functional distinction between the two concepts and many people perceive them as synonymous.
IDENTITY
Based on lexical definition, Identity (noun, iden·ti·ty\ī-ˈden-tə-tē, ə-, -ˈde-nə-
\) referred to “the qualities, beliefs, etc., that make a particular person or group
different from others… or the distinguishing character or personality of an
individual”

SELF
Based on lexical definition, Self (noun) is “the person that someone normally or
truly is… or the entire person of an individual”.

ISSUE NO. 3.
UNI VS. MULTI
DIMENSIONALITY OF THE SELF

Some people believe that the Self or Identity can be more accurately depicted using a single factor or
aspect. For example, we often hear people ask another to describe a particular person using a number
of words. Can we really describe someone using only a few words?
Our Self cannot be singly represented by a certain trait because our Self/Identity is composed of
multidimensional aspects and that we are a PRODUCT of multidimensional FACTORS.

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 MULTIDIMENSIONALITY OF THE SELF
SOCIAL FACTOR OF THE SELF
Refers to the influences of significant people in a person’s life. This
particularly includes the social groups where and individual identifies
oneself. Social factors are strong foundations of one’s being. The
characteristics that we acquired from the influences of the social groups
where we interact with during the growing up years are integrated to form
our identity, or our uniqueness and similarities with others. Family, Peer
Groups, Organizations and other significant people in a person’s life (e.g.,
teacher, role-model, relatives, etc.)
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTOR OF THE SELF
Broadly includes the physical and communal elements present in our
everyday surrounding, and is invariably dealt with by individuals in a
specific geographic region or area. This is not only about the physical
properties of the surrounding (i.e., climate and temperature, forms of
land, etc.) but this factor principally includes the larger society or
community and the expectations and norms operating in that particular
locality or place.
HEREDITARY FACTOR OF THE SELF
Heredity is a biological process by which certain traits and characteristics
are passed on from one generation to another. This factor compared with
the two previously discussed factors can be depicted as the non-
negotiable factor. If one has the choice whether or not to adopt the
influence of social groups and to change (improve) one’s environment,
heredity as a factor of one’s being and identity is relatively fixed and
permanent. Physical Attributes (e.g., height, complexion, color of eyes,
etc.), Some Cognitive Traits (e.g., I.Q) andSome other Personal
Characteristics
PERSON-VOLITION FACTOR OF THE SELF
The most controversial factor of the Self or Identity. This refers to the
inclination of a person to form and construct a specific identity, which
will set him apart or unique compared with others. Such factor
emanates from within the mentality of an individual, but also brought
about by the aggregated social-life experiences. Social scientists
(e.g., sociologist) may refer to this type of person as deviant and non-
conformist. But being one is not necessarily negative, in fact, some of
the people of this type turned in to trend-setters, discoverers and
inventors

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LESSON 2
THE PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVE OF
THE SELF
For the last decades, the study of the self has been a subject for many intensive scrutiny and arguments
from different philosophers.The self defined as “a unified being essentially connected to consciousness,
awareness and agency (or at least, with the faculty of rational choice)”. Different philosophers established a
unique and specific aspect of the self, which over time, reconstruct from natural abstractions to explanations
that embraces scientific validation (Macayan, Pinugu, & Castillo 2018).

CLASSIC ANTIQUITY
SOCRATES:KNOW THYSELF
The philosophical view of the self is evident back form 147 Greek
aphorisms evidently inscribed on the frontispiece of the Temple of
Delphi. This aphorism (principle) was used by Socrates as his
guiding principle to teach his students. Socrates did not write any
of his valuable ideas on his time because he preferred to
discussed all of his concepts and principles in untiringly and
endless discussions (Macayan, Pinugu, & Castillo 2018). Socrates
thinks that the real self is not the physical body, but rather the
psyche (soul). He added that the body is inferior to its action.
His brilliant line "know thyself" informs that the man should deliver
his inner self into life. A bad man is not virtuous through ignorance:
the man who does not obey the good will be unsuccessful
because he does not recognize it (Brawner & Arcega, 2018).

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PLATO:THE FIRST AND GREATEST VICTORY IS
TO CONQUER YOURSELF; TO BE CONQUERED
BY YOURSELF IS OF ALL THINGS MOST
SHAMEFUL AND VILE
Plato introduces his concepts about the self in his dialogue called
Phaedrus. The context of the phaedrus is that the truth can be determined
in two types: the metaphysical realm (mind) and the physical world
(body). Plato proposed that the self is fundamentally an intellectual entity
whose nature exists independent from the physical world. Plato divided
the truth or reality into two: the ontos (ideal), the ultimate reality which
tends to be permanent, perpetual and spiritual and the phenomena which
defines as the manifestation of the ideal. it is said to be imperfect,
impermanent and inferior (Macayan, Pinugu, & Castillo 2018).
Metaphysical Ontos Permanent, Perpetual &
Self Truth Seeking Realm (Mind) (Ideal) Spiritual
Physical Phenomena Imperfect &
World (Body) (Manifestation Inferior
of ideal)
Note: The MP & PW are
independent to each other

ARISTOTLE: THE ACTUALITY OF THOUGHT

IS LIFE.
Aristotle proposed that the ideal is contained in the phenomena. Aristotle
named the ideal as essence and the phenomena is as matter. He also
highlights that the two are co exist or dependent to each other. The
essence gives meaning and purpose to the matter, and the matter gives
substance and solidity to essence (Macayan, Pinugu, & Castillo 2018).
Ideal is contained in the Phenomena

Co-Exist/Co-
Essence Matter
Dependent

Meaning & Substance &

Purpose to Solidity to
Matter Essence

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IMMANUEL KANT: RESPECT FOR SELF
Human is the only creature who governs and direct himself and his action,
who sets up end for himself and his purpose, and who freely orders means for
the attainment of his aims. Every man is thus an end in himself and should
never be treated merely as a means- as per the order of the creator and the
natural of the things. This rule is a plain dictum of reason and justice: respect
other as you would respect yourself. A person should not be use as a tool,
instrument, or device to accomplish another's private end. Thus all men are
person's gifted with the same basic rights and should treat each other as
equals.

RENE DESCARTES: I THINK THEREFORE I AM

Descartes states that the self is a thinking entity distinct from the body. His
first famous principle was "Cogito, Ergo Sum" which means " I think therefore
I am". Although the mind and the body are independent from each other and
serve their own function, man must analyse, experiment and develop himself.

JOHN LOCKE: PERSONAL IDENTITY

He hold that personal identity (the self) is a matter of psychological
continuity. For him, personal identity is founded on the consciousness
(memory), and not on the substance of either the soul or the body.
Personal identity is the concept about oneself that evolves over the course of
an individual's life. It may include aspects of life that man has no control over,
such as where he grew up or the color of his skin, as well as the choices he
makes, like how he spends time and what he believes.

DAVID HUME: THE SELF IS THE BUNDLE THEORY OF MIND

Hume is skeptical about the existence of the self, specifically, on whether
there is a simple, unified self that exist over time. For him, man has no clear
and intelligible idea of the self. He posits that no single impression of the self
exists; rather, the self is just the thing to which all perceptions of a man is
ascribed.

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Philosophical
Perspective of the Self

PHILOSOPHER ORIENTATION PHILOSOPHY DESCRIPTION

Socrates Idealism Socratic Philosophy -The unexamined

life is not worth
living
-The worst thing
that can happen to
anyone is to live
but die inside

Plato Idealism Dualism and Idealism -Moral virtue is

rooted in the
intellect and leads
to happiness.
-The first and best
victory is to conquer
your self
Aristotle Empiricist Aristotelian -Ideal is found inside
Philosophy the phenomena and
the universals inside
the particulars
-Ideals are essence
and phenomena is
matter
-Knowing yourself is
the beginning of all
wisdom

St. Augustine Platonism Neoplatonism -All knowledge

leads to God
-Only the pure
heart can see God

Rene Descartes Rationalist Mind-Body Dualism I think therefore I

am
Conquer yourself
than the world
The mind and soul
are independent
from the body.

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John Locke Empiricist Theory of Personal -It is in
Identity consciousness alone
that identity exists,
not in the body and
soul
-No man’s knowledge
here can go beyond
his experience
David Hume Empiricist Skeptical Philosophy -There is no self, only
a bundle of
impressions and
ideas.
-Separate ideas can
be joined in mind
-One can only know
what comes from the
senses and
experiences.
Immanuel Kant Rationalist/Empiricist Metaphysical of the -Reason is the last
Self dominion of morality
-The self is not only a
personality but also a
seat of knowledge

LEGEND:
Classic Antiquity
Middle Age
Rennaissance

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 SCIENTIFIC PERSPECTIVE OF
THE SELF
Over the years, science has put a massive effort to discover the underlying complex concepts of the world
especially how a vital life of organisms transformed into an intricate living life. It is defined as the rational and
practical exercise surpassing the systematic study of the construct and nature of the physical and natural form
through observation and experiment (Macayan, Pinugu, & Castillo 2018). There are two types of science that
tackles on how the self develops over time with different determining factors. Physical or Biological Science
targets on the essential aspects that assembles the human body, the underlying growth and natural
mechanisms and environmental factors that adds up on the human development. On the other hand, Social
sciences focuses on how individual interacts and form a relationship to other people living within the society
through various institutions and cultures.

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 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE
Believes us to be as a consequence of our genetics and physiology. The
exploration of human body from a physical perspective paved the way for a
complete understanding the self, as consciousness, a fundamental core of the
self, is influence by inner dynamics and environments (Macayan, Pinugu, &
Castillo 2018).

NEUROPHILOSOPHY
Paul and Patricia Churchland are the doyenne of
neurophilosophers. It states that in order to understand how the
brain works and functions, one must understand the brain with the
help of evidence from neuroscience to polish concepts such as free
will (Frith, 2013). They added that the philosophical approach of
free will, common sense and consciousness must be discussed by
the use of framework of neuroscience as advances in this field
seemingly gather with how people think, feel and behave.

PSYCHONEUROIMMUNOLOGY
Defined as the study of interactions between behavior,
neural and endocrine function, and immune processes. The
human body is compose of nucleotides, the composition
which builds the DNA.
In the study of immune system, our bodily defenses rejects
the harmful foreign materials that enters our body and builds
up on the current molecules to become a healthy bodily
system. In contrary, some foreign matters that infiltratesone’s
bodily system can be beneficial and thus it will stay and last
to become a relatively fixtures to body. In the context of the
self, Humans use the advantage of their innate attributes and
most likely to reject any materials that can be lethal or
harmful to the body and to the well-being (Macayan,
Pinugu, & Castillo 2018). In uncovering oneself, a person
can decide to reject those people who can be harmful to his
or her well-being.

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 SOCIAL SCIENCE
The study of human society and of individual relationships in and to
society. A scholarly or scientific discipline that deals with such study
generally regarded as including sociology, psychology, anthropology,
economics, and political science.

PSYCHOLOGY
McLeod (2019) defines the Psychology as the study of mind and
behavior. It encompasses the biological influences, social pressures, and
environmental factors that affect how people think, act, and feel.

SOCIOLOGY
Study of human societies, their interactions, and the processes that
preserve and change them and focuses on social problems
concurred by the individual (Macayan, Pinugu, & Castillo 2018).

POLITICAL SCIENCE
Tuholski (2020) states that Political science broadly refers to the
study of governments, public policies and political behavior.

ANTHROPOLOGY
Anthropology studies the human language, culture, societies,
biological and material remains, the biology and behavior of
primates, and even our own buying habits (Jarus,2014)

ECONOMICS
Is concerned with description and analysis of the production,
distribution and consumption of goods and services (Macayan,
Pinugu, & Castillo 2018).

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LESSON 3

THE SOCIAL SELF

Human development is largely influenced by membership in crucial social groups that shape various
aspects of the self; from belief systems, values orientation, and behavior. An individual is born into a family
and toward the end of his or her life, he or she is evaluated in the context on his her contribution to the
society, the quality of his or her social relationship, and how he or she has touched lives of people whom he or
she has directly encountered.

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LEV VYGOTSKY:
ZONE OF PROXIMAL DEVELOPMENT
Lev Vygotsky was born in Russia on Novermber 17, 1896
Studied law, medicine and history and graduated in University of
Moscow in 1917
Begin his career as a researcher at Psychological institute of
Moscow in 1924
He passed away on June 11, 1934 at the age of 38 due to
tuberculosis

ZONE OF PROMIXAL DEVELOPMENT

"The distance between the actual developmental level as determined by independent problem
solving and the level of potential development as determined through problem-solving under adult
guidance, or in collaboration with more capable peers" (Vygotsky, 1978).
Vygotsky believed that when a student is in the zone of proximal development for a particular task,
providing the appropriate assistance will give the student enough of a "boost" to achieve the task.

FACTORS THAT ARE CRITICAL FOR THE SUCCESS OF ZPD:

The presence of someone with the knowledge and skills to guide the learner.
Social Interaction that allow the learner to observe and practice their skills.
Scaffolding, or supportive activities provided by the mentor or teacher that help guide the
learner through ZPD.

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ALBERT BANDURA: SOCIAL
COGNTIVE THEORY
Albert Bandura is born on December 4 1925 in Mundare,
Alberta, Canada
Only boy in the family of five older sisters.
He graduated from University of British Columbia in 1949 with
a degree in Psychology
Completed his master's degree in 1951 and a PhD in Clinical
Psychology in 1952 at University of Iowa

SOCIAL COGNTIVE THEORY

OBSERVATIONAL LEARNING
through observation alone, an individual can learn without performing a certain action (Schultsz &
Schultsz, 2017)
Bandura (1986, 2003) believes that observational learning is much more efficient than learning
through direct experience. By observing other people, humans are spared countless responses
that might be followed by punishment or by no reinforcement.

MODELLING
Core of observational learning.
The tendency of individual to imitate the behaviors they observe in others.

OBSERVATIONAL LEARNING REQUIRES:

Attention to a model
Retention and organization of observations
Behavioral production
Motivation to perform the modeled behavior.

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FACTORS THAT WILL DETERMINE WHETHER A PERSON WILL LEARN
FROM A MODEL:
CHARACTERISTIC OF A MODEL (Similarity, sex, age, status etc.)
CHARACTERISTICS OF OBSERVER (Low self-confidence, lack of status, skills and power.)

SELF-EFFICACY
Our beliefs that we are capable of performing actions that will
produce desired effects.
SELF-EFFICACY VARIES FROM SITUATION
DEPENDING ON:
The competencies required for different activities.
The presence or absence of people
The person disposition to attend to failure of performance rather
than the success.
Accompanying psychological stress (fatigue, anxiety, fear and
apathy).
HIGH AND LOW SELF-EFFICACY COMBINE WITH RESPONSIVE AND
UNRESPONSIVE ENVIRONMENT
HE + RE= Successful outcomes
LE + RE= Depressed, Discouraged, intimidated
HE + UR= Intensifying efforts
LE + UR= Apathy, resignation and helplessness.

DID YOU KNOW?

Bandura is 94 years old and often described as the greatest
psychologist alive today.
He is known for his "Bobo Doll experiment"
Cherry (2020) states that in his interesting Bobo doll experiment, Bandura
determined that young children would imitate the violent and aggressive
actions of an adult model. In the experiment, children observed a film in
which an adult repeatedly hit a large, inflatable balloon doll. After watching
the video, children were allowed to play in a room where the authentic
bobo place.
Bandura noticed that children were more likely to mimic the adult's violent
actions when the adult either received no consequences or when the adult
was actually rewarded for their violent actions. Children who saw film clips
in which the adult was punished for this aggressive behavior were less likely
to repeat the behaviors later on.

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 SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
The branch of psychology that studies individuals as they
interact with others (Lahey, 2007)
Field whose goal is to understand and explain how
thoughts, feelings, perceptions, and behaviors are
influenced by the presence of, or interactions with, others
(Plotnik & Kouyoumdjian, 2014)
Study of the effect of social factors on individual
behaviour, attitudes, perceptions, and motives.

INTERACTION
Mutual and reciprocal exchange of communication or action
between two or more persons or groups.

RELATIONSHIP
A particular way in which two or more individuals, groups, or even
countries talk to, behave, or deal with each other.

PERSON PERCEPTION
Forming impressions and making judgments about another person’s likability after seeing or
meeting him/her
First impressions, which are formed within a very short time with little conscious thought and
biased by past experiences are part of person perception.
People
usually use external appearance as immediate basis for assessing, judging, or evaluating others.

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 SOCIAL NORMS
Social norms are the set of rules or standards on how we behave in a
particular situation (Grey, 2020). It brings us an expected concept of
how to behave on specific group or culture.

SOCIAL ROLES
The roles we play in our society that adds to our social identity (Decarpua
& Intergest, 2004). A few social rocial roles are provided to us.

TOGETHER AS A GROUP
There are many opportunities to work people as a group. Students form into a study groups to review
their lessons on the incoming periodical test. The marketing team arranges a meeting to boost their
sales in company. Farmers work together during the planting and harvesting of crops. In many
situations, the task become easier to achieve because more people are involve to work out the problem
as compared to only one person doing the task.

SOCIAL FACILITATION
It is a psychological idea which an individual tends to improve his/her
performance when working on a certain group or people (Cuncic,
2020). Example is when a bike racer tends to pedal faster in the
presence of their opponents than when competing againsts time.

SOCIAL LOAFING
It defines as the tendency of an individual to make a little effort on
his/her performance when working on a group (Cherry, 2020). Example
when people let more skilled members of the group take over when it
comes to brainstorming or matters of technical expertise and expect
them to carry the load, social loafing occurs.

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CONFORMITY
Conformity is a type of social influence concerning in a change
of belief or behavior in order to suit and fit in with a group
(Mcleod, 2016).

FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO CONFORMITY:

Size of the group
Unanimous groups
Culture
Sex
NATURE AND DEPTH OF RELATIONSHIPS
FAMILIARITY
Refers to being comfortable with another person and is a necessary
condition for a close relationship to develop.

ATTRACTION
The feeling of being drawn to another person due to reasons like
similarities or differences in interests, personality characteristics,
life goals, life styles, etc.

LOVE

Special attachment one has for himself/herself or for somebody

else

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ROBERT STERNBERG
Three components of love:
Intimacy
Passion
Commitment

ATTITUDES
Beliefs that predispose people to act and feel in certain ways towards
people, objects, or ideas
POSITIVE ATTITUDE
Reflected in a happy, pleasant, or optimistic disposition
NEGATIVE ATTITUDE
Associated with pessimism or a general feeling of dislike
People develop positive or negative attitudes towards a certain object because of a direct
experience with it.
Attitudes are also learned from others through modelling and reinforcement.
Attitudes can be changed or modified through persuasive communication.

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STEREOTYPES
Generalizations in which the same traits of characteristics are
assumed to be possessed by all members of a group.

DISCRIMINATION

Specific unfair behaviour or treatment towards the members of a group.

PREJUDICE
Unfair, biased, or intolerant attitude or opinion towards members of a
group.

DID YOU KNOW?

FACTS ABOUT #BLACKLIVESMATTER
According to the article released by Black Facts on 2020, Black Lives Matter (BLM) is an international
activist movement, originating in the African-American community, that campaigns against violence and
systemic racism towards black people. BLM regularly holds protests against police killings of black
people and broader issues of racial profiling, police brutality, and racial inequality in the United States
criminal justice system.
It Was Founded In 2013 After The Acquittal Of A Black Man’s
Murderer
It Became Nationally Recognized After Two More Deaths Of
African-Americans in 2014
Its Mission Is To Eradicate White Supremacy
It’s an International Movement
It Doesn’t Mean That Other Lives Don’t Matter
There is Evidence To Back The BLM Movement’s Claims
It’s Not Just About Police Brutality
The Movement Was Reignited By George Floyd’s Death
The Protests Will Probably Not Stop Until Something Changes

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