SELF AS A SOCIAL CONSTRUCT

Exploring Key Concepts

• Culture

Encompasses material and nonmaterial aspects, shaping our behavior and beliefs

as members of a society.

• Norms and Values

Provide guidelines and principles for acceptable behavior, shaping our

relationships and perception of self.

• Social Institutions

Establish processes and mechanisms focused on addressing communal needs,

influencing our perception of citizenship, education, and law and order.

Internalizing Societal Norms

• Socialization

A lifelong process involving learning, teaching, and living within societal norms and

values, shaping our perception of self and others.

• Status and Roles

Denote an individual's position in society and encompass expected behaviors,

norms, values, and attitudes, influencing our interactions with others.

Shaped by sociocultural contexts, societal trends, and validation from others,

affecting our sense of personal significance.

Theoretical Approaches to Understanding the Self

• Symbolic Interactionism

Posits that the self evolves through human interaction, shaped by cultural and

societal contexts.

• Culture and Personality

Contends that personality reflects cultural background and upbringing, particularly

gender roles, and expectations of development.

The Role of Family in Shaping Identity

• Family as a Social Institution

Shapes our perception of social roles, values, and expectations of our behavior.

• Doctrine of the Family

Stresses the importance of the traditional family structure and gender roles,

influencing our sense of identity and self-worth.

• Filipino Family Dynamics

Emphasizes the importance of interdependence, respect, and concern for others,

influencing our relationship with others and self-concept.

• Primary Education

▪ Provides basic knowledge and skills for personal development.

▪ Shapes one's perception of the self and culture, fostering critical thinking and

self-reflection.

• Higher Education

▪ Prepares individuals for critical roles in society.

▪ Shapes one's sense of purpose, moral values, and social identity, fostering civic

engagement.

The Role of Media in Producing Culture and Identity

• Media and Consumer

Culture Shapes our perception of societal values, ideals of beauty, and consumer

behavior, creating a sense of identity around the products we purchase.

• Mass Media and Social Identity

Influences our perception of social norms, expectations, and trends, contributing

to our sense of identity and social belonging.

• Social Media and Self-esteem

Shapes our perception of self-esteem and self-worth, with likes, comments, and

shares producing a sense of validation and affirmation.

• Gender Norms and Expectations

Shapes our perception of behavior, values, and attitudes, producing both social

and individual barriers in relationships, career development, and self-esteem.

• Toxic Masculinity and Male Stereotypes

Produces a sense of alienation and self-doubt among males who do not fit into

these societal norms, hindering healthy identity development, and contributing to

negative behavior patterns.

The Filipino Identity and Nationalism

• Filipino Core Values

Emphasizes interconnectedness, respectfulness, concern for others, and social

responsibility, fostering a strong sense of social identity and belonging.

• Colonial Mentality

Produces a sense of inferiority and doubt among Filipinos, hindering self-

confidence and progress in the global arena.

• Bayanihan Spirit

Emphasizes the importance of community and cooperation, fostering a sense of

unity and national pride.

• Filipino Resilience

Illustrates the capacity for perseverance and hope in the face of adversity,

producing a sense of national and cultural pride.

• Perception of Skin Color in the Philippines

Produces societal privileges and barriers based on skin tone, with darker skin

tones receiving negative stigmatization in society and media.

• Whitening Products and Culture

Shapes the perception of beauty standards and skin tone preferences, further

promoting the societal bias towards lighter skin tones.

• Impact of Colonialism on Race and Identity

Influences the perception of skin color and racial identity, producing a sense of

cultural and racial hierarchy in Filipino society.

The Power of Community and Social Support

• Community as Social Institution

▪ Produces a sense of social identity and belonging, fostering a feeling of

connectedness and support.

▪ Provides resources and mechanisms for addressing communal needs,

reinforcing social stability and progress.

• Power of Social Support

▪ Fosters a sense of resilience and hope in difficult circumstances.

▪ Encourages personal growth and progress, nurturing positive identity

development.
 EXPLORING EASTERN AND WESTERN PERCEPTIONS OF SELF

Confucianism: Cultivating the "Subdued Self"

Confucianism - emphasizes repressing personal needs for the greater good, while

deeply valuing social relationships.

• Chun-tzu

Understand how a person's virtuous character remains deeply connected to social

relationships in Confucianism.

• Social order and balance

Learn how Confucian society is structured hierarchically to maintain social order

and balance.

Taoism: Living in Harmony with the Universe

Taoism - embraces a free-flowing, relative, unitary, and paradoxical perspective on

almost everything.

• Embracing Change

Taoism encourages living in harmony with the universe by embracing change and

rejecting the rigidity and hierarchy associated with Confucianism.

• Simpler Way of Life

Understand how Taoism advocates for a more simplified way of life.

Buddhism: Renouncing the Self

Buddhism - encourages individuals to renounce the self and its cravings.

Understand how Buddhism views the self as an illusion born from ignorance and

the desire to control things or fulfill human-centered needs.

• Renouncing the Self

Learn how Buddhism advocates renouncing the self, its cravings, attachments to

the world, and the renunciation of self.

Comparing East and West

1. Western Perspective

• Individual Development - In Western thought, there is a primary focus on

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

• Interconnectedness - The Eastern perspective views objects and creations as

interconnected in a collective narrative, where everyone plays specific roles.

• Group and Social Relations - Asian culture prioritizes group and social relations

over individual desires and needs.

Differences in Self-evaluation between East and West

• Asians

Discuss their social roles or the social contexts that bring out certain positive traits.
 • Americans

Emphasize their personal achievements when describing themselves.

Individualism vs. Collectivism

• Western Culture (Individualism)

In Western culture, individualism places significant emphasis on the individual,

which can lead Westerners to have loose associations or even loyalty to their

groups.

• Eastern Culture (Collectivism)

In contrast, Asian culture prioritizes group and social relations over individual

desires and needs, promoting cooperation, compromise, and indirect

communication to maintain harmony.

Blurring of Differences in a Diverse World

• Diversity - can lead to conflicts.

• Pave the Way for Peace - understanding one another's backgrounds can pave

the way for peace.

• Accepting Differences - accepting diversity can lead to peace.

Self and Culture

• Culture and Self

Discover how the way we view ourselves is heavily influenced by the cultures and

communities in which we are a part.

Learn how evaluating, cultivating, and prioritizing the self can help us understand

ourselves and those around us.

The Influence of Literature, Art, and Dance on Perceptions of self

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

of the "self," especially in Asian cultures.

• Asian Literature

Understand cultural values and how they are reflected in the portrayal of heroes 2

and villains in Asian literature.

• Social Organizations

Learn how Asian social organizations shed light on how they view authority and

subordinates.

• Art, Dance, and Clothing Choices

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"

• Confucianism - views the social self as the ultimate life purpose.

• Taoism - emphasizes living in harmony with the Tao or the universe.

• Buddhism - encourages the renunciation of the self for attaining the state of

Nirvana.

The Balanced Self in Eastern Cultures

Confucianism

1. Ultimate Life Purpose - Confucianism views self-cultivation as the ultimate life

purpose.

2. Subdued Self - Creating a "subdued self" involves repressing personal needs for

the greater good.

Taoism

1. Simplicity of Life - Taoism advocates for a simpler way of life.

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

attachment leads to the attainment of Nirvana.

2. Cessation of Suffering – The ultimate goal in Buddhism is the cessation of

suffering, which can be achieved through the renunciation of the self.

Sex: More than Meets the Eye

Sex - the physical differences between males and females, encompassing reproductive

organs, chromosomes, and hormones.

• Male - individuals with a penis, XY, chromosomes, and high testosterone levels.

• Female - individuals with a vagina, XX chromosomes, and high estrogen levels.

• Intersex - people with reproductive anatomy or chromosomes that don't align

with traditional male or female definitions.

Gender: Beyond Biological Sex

Gender - the social or cultural roles associated with being male or female.

• Gender Identity - extent to which one identifies as masculine or feminine.

o Transgender - individuals whose gender identity differs from their

assigned sex at birth.

o Gender Fluid - people whose gender identity is not fixed and may change

based on the situation.

• Gender Expression - how someone prefers to express their gender to the world.

o Traditional Norms - society often associates specific colors, toys, and

activities with genders.

▪ Girls: Pink, dolls, makeup

▪ Boys: Blue, trucks, sports

and embracing personal preferences.

▪ Men experimenting with makeup.

▪ Women engaging in sports.

Understanding Sexuality

Sexuality - involves the expression of one's sexual attractions, identity, feelings, and

behaviors.

• Heterosexual - attraction to the opposite sex

• Homosexual - attraction to the same sex

• Bisexual - attraction to both genders

• Asexual - lack of sexual attraction

• Pansexual - attraction to multiple genders

• Questioning - exploring or unsure about one's sexuality

Navigating the Spectrum

Sexuality encompasses various aspects related to feelings, behaviors, and identity:

• Feelings and Fantasies - center of affection and attraction towards others.

• Behaviors - physical expressions of sexuality, including sexual contact and flirting.

• Identity - label or description of one's sexuality.

Embracing Queer Theory

Queer theory challenges traditional notions of sexual orientation and promotes flexibility

and inclusivity:
 • Rejecting Labels - queer individuals embrace the term "queer" and resist

categorizations.

• Gender Meanings - sexualities are influenced by gender meanings and

differentials.

• Desire for Freedom - queer individuals seek a more flexible and inclusive

environment for personal expression.

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.

• Intersection of Gender - sexuality intertwined with gender meanings and

differences.

• Embracing Differences - individuals within each sexuality express themselves

uniquely.