Self As A Social Construct Exploring Key Concepts
Self As A Social Construct Exploring Key Concepts
• Culture
Encompasses material and nonmaterial aspects, shaping our behavior and beliefs
as members of a society.
• Social Institutions
• Socialization
A lifelong process involving learning, teaching, and living within societal norms and
• Symbolic Interactionism
Posits that the self evolves through human interaction, shaped by cultural and
societal contexts.
Shapes our perception of social roles, values, and expectations of our behavior.
Stresses the importance of the traditional family structure and gender roles,
• Primary Education
▪ Shapes one's perception of the self and culture, fostering critical thinking and
self-reflection.
• Higher Education
▪ Shapes one's sense of purpose, moral values, and social identity, fostering civic
engagement.
Culture Shapes our perception of societal values, ideals of beauty, and consumer
Shapes our perception of self-esteem and self-worth, with likes, comments, and
Shapes our perception of behavior, values, and attitudes, producing both social
Produces a sense of alienation and self-doubt among males who do not fit into
• Colonial Mentality
• Bayanihan Spirit
• Filipino Resilience
Illustrates the capacity for perseverance and hope in the face of adversity,
Produces societal privileges and barriers based on skin tone, with darker skin
Shapes the perception of beauty standards and skin tone preferences, further
Influences the perception of skin color and racial identity, producing a sense of
development.
EXPLORING EASTERN AND WESTERN PERCEPTIONS OF SELF
Confucianism - emphasizes repressing personal needs for the greater good, while
• Chun-tzu
relationships in Confucianism.
and balance.
almost everything.
• Embracing Change
Taoism encourages living in harmony with the universe by embracing change and
Understand how Buddhism views the self as an illusion born from ignorance and
Learn how Buddhism advocates renouncing the self, its cravings, attachments to
1. Western Perspective
individual development.
• Distinction between the Self and Others - Western culture often perceives the
world through dualities, where individuals are distinct from one another.
2. Eastern Perspective
• Group and Social Relations - Asian culture prioritizes group and social relations
• Asians
Discuss their social roles or the social contexts that bring out certain positive traits.
• Americans
which can lead Westerners to have loose associations or even loyalty to their
groups.
In contrast, Asian culture prioritizes group and social relations over individual
• Pave the Way for Peace - understanding one another's backgrounds can pave
Discover how the way we view ourselves is heavily influenced by the cultures and
Learn how evaluating, cultivating, and prioritizing the self can help us understand
There are numerous sources that offer insights into how different cultures and nations
perceive the concept of "self." This understanding can be gleaned from their literature,
where the portrayal of heroes and villains reflects cultural values. It can also be observed
in their social organizations, shedding light on how they view authority figures and
subordinates. Even art, dance, and clothing choices can provide clues about the nature
• Asian Literature
Understand cultural values and how they are reflected in the portrayal of heroes 2
• Social Organizations
Learn how Asian social organizations shed light on how they view authority and
subordinates.
Discover how clues to the nature of the "self" can be found in Asian art, dance, and
clothing choices.
Religious and Political Philosophies and the "Self"
• Buddhism - encourages the renunciation of the self for attaining the state of
Nirvana.
Confucianism
purpose.
2. Subdued Self - Creating a "subdued self" involves repressing personal needs for
Taoism
2. Harmony with the Universe - Living harmoniously with the universe is a Taoist
ideal.
Buddhism
1. Renunciation of the Self - In Buddhism, renouncing the self, its cravings, and
Sex - the physical differences between males and females, encompassing reproductive
• Male - individuals with a penis, XY, chromosomes, and high testosterone levels.
Gender - the social or cultural roles associated with being male or female.
o Gender Fluid - people whose gender identity is not fixed and may change
• Gender Expression - how someone prefers to express their gender to the world.
Understanding Sexuality
Sexuality - involves the expression of one's sexual attractions, identity, feelings, and
behaviors.
Queer theory challenges traditional notions of sexual orientation and promotes flexibility
and inclusivity:
• Rejecting Labels - queer individuals embrace the term "queer" and resist
categorizations.
differentials.
• Desire for Freedom - queer individuals seek a more flexible and inclusive
Queer Experiences
Queer theorist Eve Sedgwick highlighted the diversity of sexualities and the subjective
nature of experiences:
• Differing Interpretations - identical acts can hold unique meanings for different
individuals.
differences.
uniquely.