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MODULE 1: Perspectives About The Self

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The concept of self is generally about the specific identity of one’s self that is unique to that person. At young age, the foundation of self-concept is pliable since the self is still in the process of discovering its own identity. But upon maturity, as one has realized the essence of life, the ideal concept of self becomes explicit.

I used to think that self-concept is innate and constructed based on what the self initially and solely wanted to be; a reflection of one’s own identity without the influence from its surroundings. But self-concept is actually a process influenced by the combination of intrinsic self and society.

According to William James (1890), self is composed of two separate but connected concepts─ Iand me. I is the center of self-reflection based on experience; while me is more of the ‘social self’, the identity of the self in regards to the interactions done with the society. Social identities are adapted by undergoing through different processes such as social categorization, social identification, and social comparison (SIT, 1979). These processes, which are often influenced by the recognizable features (e.g., gender, age, nationality), allow the distinction of social differences, thus people tend to find commonality through group membership. For example, in an international convention, attendees socialize more with their countrymen rather than with foreigners. They tend to have higher self-esteem because of the feeling of belongingness due to commonality (nationality). They see themselves as the member of a group, rather than as unique individual (SIT, 1979).

I realize that self can only be viewed as the literal ‘self’ when there is no once to compared with; the absence of social identities results to lack of basis. In connection with Erving Goffman’s perception, self is more of a society’s property rather than the individual’s─ people live and act according to the form that the others expected them to be due to the greater power that the society have over them. Thus, social identity could change depending on what kind of society and individual is with, giving birth to different social identities.

References:

Callero, P. (2003). The Sociology of The Self. Annual Review of Sociology, Vol. 29, pp. 115-13

Gough, B. (2017). The Palgrave Handbook of Critical Social Psychology. Macmillan Publishers Ltd

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MODULE 2: Process and Context of Self-hood

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Self is not a finished painting immediately right after it was born, but a blank canvas that started to have lines and colors through continuous sketches and strokes. As mentioned by Charles Cooley (1902) on his theory of ‘social self’, individuals are not born with a pre-existing self; rather, they are a product of multiple social interactions.

I used to think that myself today is the same as to myself yesterday and the future. As long as I am in this body, it’s still me, nothing will change (as mentioned in the Body Theory). But using the physical aspect as the sole basis is not enough to prove that self is static. As a matter of fact, self is dynamic; it’s evolving and changing. Experiences and social interactions have contributed to the process of selfhood. Its impact has molded our present selves as well as our future selves. The collective memories that were acquired through experiences and interactions have shaped our sense of self in many ways. We are far from ourselves yesterday. Time and space have their own ways of processing selfhood; they let us explore our deepest nature in order to gradually create a new one.

According to Panopticon theory, we humans act upon the ‘gaze’ of those who have power over us. We let them invade our self-worth, hence hinders our optimal processing of selfhood. This is said to be true in the Eugenics Caste System wherein our status in the society lies upon the standards that the society have set. These standards based solely on intelligence, productivity and even physical appearance. Failure to attain such qualities will lead someone to be labelled as ‘social junk’, and it’s in human nature to always want to be in the trend along with the society. Therefore, ‘social junks’ tend to go out of their comfort zones in order achieved the ‘standards’ of the society.

However, the true success of processing the sense of self should not lie in the hands of others; rather, we should be the ones taking charge of our own selfhood. We must stop recognizing the gazes and start to be the own agent of ourselves. Forget about what others say, and just focus on fully understanding who we really are. Because at the end of the day what we only have left are ourselves.

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MODULE 3: Culture, Ethnicity, and Personality

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Selfhood is a lifelong process of building and seeking one’s identity and essence. It is influenced by personality or self’s own characteristics and behaviors free of influenced from others, and society or other people’s contribution to one’s identity through interaction. Aside from personality and society, one of the key factors affecting the process of sense of self is the culture.

Culture is a set of traditions, beliefs, and rules being practiced by a social group. Group such as family is considered as an important aspect of the creation of self, because being a member of a family, this is where we first learn and adapt the knowledge and behaviour as we grow up. Such cultural knowledge and behaviour include perceptions, attitudes, standards, beliefs, and even our response in situations.

Humans often interpret other people’s behaviours and actions, differently. These differences in interpretations and perspectives are due to different cultural backgrounds that one belongs. As mentioned before, these are what we’ve learned and adapted as we grow up as a member of a group.

Most of the time, culture is associated with social group. It gave birth to social norms and group traditions that needed to be followed to be part of a group. However, not all members of a group share common sets of beliefs and traditions. Some have their own definition on what things should be accepted as culturally relevant, hence, culture can also be individually constructed. Through internalization, an individual gets a wider view of norms & traditions and may realize that some of them do not in line with its own beliefs. Therefore, members of the same group may have different stand at various aspects life.

Being constructed differently (individually and socially) does not lessen the richness of a culture. In fact, these different components, to some degree, are interrelated. Each has its own place to fit in in the integrated wholeness of the culture.

References:

Kim, H.S., & Ko, D. (n.d.). Culture and self-expression. University of California Santa Barbara

Markus, H.R. &Kitayama, S. (1991). Culture and the self: Implications for cognition, emotion, and motivation. Psychological Review, 98, 224-253.

Mead, M. (1961). Coming of Age in Samoa: A Psychological Study of Primitive Youth for Western Civilization. New York: Morrow.

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MODULE 4: Me, Myself, and I: Body Image, Rites of Passage, and Gender & Sexuality Issues

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Adolescence is the stage of life where changes and transitions occur. Being able to explore these various changes helps one to truly understand the process of selfhood. These changes and transitions associated with physical body, beliefs, and behaviors are brought by puberty. Questions, confusions, and uncertainties are often experienced as we go through this process of maturity. We faced a lot of dilemma regarding our own body image, rites of passage, and gender & sexuality issues. The physical, behavioural, social, and psychological development we experienced plays a vital role on how we perceived ourselves and by others. It is important to be aware of the various consequences of these changes because risks and opportunities are often linked to these transitions.

In a 2015 study, Voelker et al. shows that adolescence is a critical period in the establishment of body image. This period of my life, I remember that I was obsessing over my body size because I always received hurtful comments such as “bangkay”, “konti na lang liliparin ka na ng hangin”, “stickgirl”, etc. Sometimes they pointed their criticisms to my parents by saying, “Di niyo ba pinapakain ang anak niyo?”, which put my parents into so much pressure. As a result, I grew up trying so hard to have a normal weight, until it came to the point where I stopped all my physical activities such as sports for the sake that I prevent my body from losing weight. This unhealthy body image made me binged eat and threw away my physical activities, until I realized that it does not do me any good. I started to not be bothered by the society’s standards and just be myself. I began eating what only I can and started to engage myself again into sports. Though I still look petite, it really does not bother me that much anymore as long as I’m healthy and fit. Having this kind of health body image perception of myself helped me pass through against the painful critiques that I experience before.

Aside from body image, rites of passage that one experienced during adolescence also play a significant role to one’s identity development. Various practices around the world are done in order to prove that an individual is ready enough to carry the responsibilities. This is often gender-based where boys undergo rituals to prove that they’re men while girls to prove that they are ready to be good wives and mother. These rituals are usually in form of initiations rites that are painful and require sacrifice (e.g., circumcision, whipping match, face tattoo, all-night dance, etc.). Being able to surpass this rituals increase one’s self-esteem and endurance to survive the upcoming struggles that life will give.

Gender and sexuality issues also start to form during adolescence. For some, this might be nothing but an identity or behaviour that is similarly related to the cultural expectations (gender-normative). But for many, confusion arises when these identity and behaviour are incompatible with that of the cultural expectations in relation to gender non-conformity (American Psychological Association, 2012). People often hide their gender identity due to critiques and expectations. As a result, LGBT individuals could not freely express themselves which leads to identity crisis. This might limit them from the opportunities and experiences that waits on their journey. Hence, it is important that everyone must be aware that being part of the LGBT community does not make one less of a person.

References:

American Psychological Association. (2012). Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Clients. American Psychologist, 67(1), 10–42. doi: 10.1037/a0024659

MODULE 4: Me, Myself, and I: Body Image, Rites of Passage, and Gender & Sexuality Issuest perspectives. Adolescent Health, Medicine and Therapeutics. USA: Dove Press

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MODULE 5: Me, Myself, and Others: Development of Values, Principles and Ideologies, Love and Attraction, and Risk Taking Behavior and Peer Influences

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Life choices and decisions are shaped by principles, values, and ideologies which are greatly influenced by social institution and agents such as culture, family, significant others and peers. The development and build-up of self doesn’t just happen on its own, rather one’s self is heavily moulded by other people whom the ‘self’ interacted with. Family plays a vital role on the kinds and types of values that an individual will learn. Since family is the first agent of socialization whom an individual is exposed with, it can be considered as the foundation in which these values and principles are learned.

Filipino values are still identified up to date despite changes that occurred over time. One is being family oriented. Filipinos hold family in high regard; close family ties must be kept solid and secured. Family must come first before anything else. Even after having a family of own, the relationships should always be intact to maintain the strong bond among the family members. In our family, being family oriented is linked to ‘utang na loob’. A member is considered ‘family oriented’ if he/she is able to pay back all the hardships that the family family (especially the parents)had went through in order to provide the his/her needs as he/she grows up. Returning the favor can be in terms of looking after the aging parents or by means of meeting their needs and demands before you own. This kind of mentality regarding family is kind of edgy especially for the first-borns since all the responsibilities are all passed onto them once they graduated or reached the age when they are allowed to work. But this isn’t a big deal form some since this is being normalized in our culture. There’s nothing wrong in helping family, but children should not bear the responsibility of being the provider. Lending a hand is easy, but it starts to become heavy if it turns into an obligation instead of ‘kusang loob’. ‘Utang na loob’ can be of different form to other Filipinos. According Enriquez (1997), it’s not about returning the favor but refers to the feeling of gratitude towards someone who did something good towards an individual. It doesn’t force someone to immediately pay back, but only relies on time and opportunity to return the favor.

The adapted values and ideologies we’ve acquired from family and society would impact the risk-taking behaviors which are often taken part by adolescents and young adults in order to obtain independence and able to fit in in the group they want to belong. In high school, I value my group of friends to the extent where fear eats me up whenever I think of a scenario wherein I will be out of that group. Every day, I was doing my best to be like them in order to fit in. I engaged myself with negative risk-taking behaviour such as cutting classes and unpermitted getaways just not to be labelled as ‘killjoy’. I instilled in my mind that would be alone, lonely, and helpless without my friends. This longing for belongingness started when I was bullied by a group as I was a transferee. But as I mature, I realize that I really don’t need to belong. My happiness should not always be dependent to anyone’s company but myself. Approval and acceptance aren’t always necessary as long as I don’t cause harm to anyone. Just like what they say, quality over quantity. I’m fine having few friends who bring out the best in me rather than a lot of friends who would only inflict pain and destruction.

Culture and beliefs also affect an individual’s perceptions towards love & attraction and the way those feelings are expressed. In our country, courtship is an important stage before commitment. Mostly, boys are the ones who make ‘ligaw’ in order to prove their love and intention. Courtship is not only limited to the one being courted, but also extended to the family of their ‘nililigawan’. The family’s views and opinions are as important with that of the one who’s being courted. The suitor must reach the standards of the family in order to be accepted as a suitor. Required standards are linked to some Filipinos values such as being family oriented, hardworking, God-fearing, etc. Girls must play hard-to-get or ‘pakipot’ to test the patience of her suitor. The family especially the elders associate ‘pakipot’ to limited physical interaction and reduced attention. Romantic couples who belong to conservative and strict families often have love language that requires less passion (or not just showy). In our culture, girls also have requirements to fulfil and that is her readiness to do his duty as a wife and mother. By readiness means ability to cook, clean the house, take care of the husband and kids, etc. But today, this kind of practices and expression of love are not practiced by some anymore. Boys today can also be househusbands and girls could attain industrialized position in the society. Also, anyone can commit even without undergoing courtship. The choice of who an individual wants to be with is now not influenced greatly by the family but rather solely on its own.

The values, principles, and ideologies that one learned and acquired from agents of socialization help shape their choices and decisions in life. This implies that the concept of self is continuously developed through intra and interpersonal interactions which allow individuals to experience and have engagement with love & attraction and whether involve self to risk-taking behaviors.

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MODULE 6: Me and My Mental Health

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Mental health makes up the individual’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being. According to World Health Organization (2012), it is a vital aspect of one’s welfare and largely influences the capacity to create a meaningful life, including the ability to study, work, connect with others, maintain relationships, and even the everyday decision making. However, mental induced stress and disorders disrupt the developments of these capacities which have rippling effects from the individual level up to the societal level. These disturbances are influenced not only by the individual attributes and behaviours, but also by social and economic circumstances, and environmental factors (WHO, 2011).

Individual attributes and behaviours refers to the learned ability to cope with daily life challenges brought by one’s own emotions, daily social activities, and genetic & biological factors (i.e., in born or endowed with abnormalities and disabilities). Social and economic circumstances refers to the ability of the immediate agents such as family, friends, and acquaintance to significantly affect one’s journey to life development. Adverse factors brought by it are social isolation, relationship conflict, bereavement, trauma, poverty, academic failure, and work stress. Environmental factors refers to the sociocultural and geopolitical conditions that influence one’s mental health well-being. Negative factors linked to environment include poor access to basic necessities, unreasonable cultural beliefs and practices, unfair laws and policies, and social and gender inequalities.

These broad arrays of triggering factors to disturbances require a wide variety of strategies in order to diminish the negative circumstances linked with mental health. These strategies include developing and protecting individual attributes, supporting households and communities, and supporting vulnerable groups in society. Developing and protecting individual attributes healthy and nurturing relationship between parents and children, healthy ageing policies, and healthy lifestyle. Supporting households and communities ensures safe environmental conditions, and excellent working and basic living conditions. Supporting vulnerable group in societyimplements social inclusion, anti-discrimination, and gender-equity policies, as well as the right to education and provision to refugees.

But, there are some worst cases that cannot be solved by such strategies and require proper medical care and assistance from professional. However, people who are in need of that service often do not seek professional care due to stigma linked with diagnosed mental illnesses. Stigma worsens one’s mental health status because it not just denies the individual’s access to proper medical care but also lowers self-esteem and prevents social opportunities (Corrigan & Watson, 2004).

I still remember how I discovered my life stressors which started in high school. I had this fear of losing my circle of friends and it really stressed me out whenever a conflict happened within our group. I was so terrified that if I lose this group, I would be alone and got no one to lean on whenever I needed some company. Now that I’m in college, I do not have a permanent group that I belong with and I realized that it’s okay. Being alone is okay. Having no one to lean on is okay. As long as I got myself, I learned to be contented with my own company.

Another life stressor of mine is academics. I was not afraid to fail, but I could not afford to disappoint my parents who expected so high from me. I was scared of getting negative opinions and could not handle any criticisms. As a result, I always pushed myself to the limits at the expense of my own physical and mental health. But now, I learned when to give my all and when to give up and rest. I do not stress myself with academics anymore and put my well-being before anything else.

But I think among all my life stressors, being bullied is the only one which left such a deep scar. As a person who was afraid of criticisms, I really did my best to please all the people around me. But as I transferred to another school, I never expected that I would experience being hated on, and all I did was to cry. Luckily, I still had good people around me who are willing to protect me and even reported what they had witnessed. Now as I look back, I have a lot of regrets. I should have stand for myself on the first encounter. I should not have given them the satisfaction to see me cry. Maybe if I fought back, there are no scars, nightmares, and traumas.

Everyone is susceptible to mental health illness and stress. Rich or poor, children or adult, single or married, no one is exempted from it. Therefore, proper information and education about mental health is important in order to improve physiological well-being, as well as to stop the stigma that is associated with it.

References:

Corrigan, P. W., & Watson, A. C. (2004). The paradox of self-stigma and mental illness. Clinical Psychology—Science and Practice, 9, 35–53.

WHO (2011). Impact of Economic Crises on Mental Health. WHO Regional Office for Europe; Copenhagen, Denmar

WHO. (2012). Risks to Mental Health: An Overview Of Vulnerabilities And Risk Factors.World Health Organization; Geneva, Switzerland.

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MODULE 7: Individuality, Citizenship and Solidarity

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As individuals, we are part of a wider community where society and physical environment collaborate together for a greater purpose. The basic rights bestowed upon us and the duties we are entrusted with are what make us citizens of the community. As citizens, we are not only living for ourselves for we coexist with the family, the immediate community, the nation and even the rest of humanity. And it’s our obligation to put personal freedom and social responsibility in equilibrium condition.

Citizens and agency are the vital components of citizenship. Citizens are the individuals that make up a community while agency is the capacity of citizens to act and make a difference. Agency has 4 basic properties. ‘Intentionality’ refers to the individual’s will to put its own ambitions into reality by making an action plan. ‘Forethought’ is the visualization of the future situation. It makes the individual see that the planned action is in the right direction. ‘Self-reactiveness’ is the ability of the individual to adjust its plan and action for the attainment of its ambitions and goals. Lastly, ‘self-reflectiveness’ refers to the behaviour of the individual to self-reflect its own actions, ambitions, plans which may be subjected to improvement, change, or even termination.

However, according to social cognitive theory, individuals are not just the only ones who are considered as mode of agency. Proxy mode and collective mode are considered as mode of agency as well. ‘Proxy mode’ refers to the reliance of an individual on others to act on his/her stead. ‘Collective mode’ refers to the success of attaining a goal due to the collective ideas, knowledge, and skills shared by all the members of the group, as well as the collaboration done to put these skills into maximum use. ‘Collective mode’ shows how important solidarity is in the attainment of goals and ambitions.

Among all the citizens, leaders carry the heaviest responsibility. They are not only obliged to look after their own welfare and their family’s, but also that of their constituents and the resources that sustains the wellness of the community. Whoever failed to perform such duties must be held accountable for his/her own shortcomings and negligence.

Environment and individual are correlated to each other. Individual affects environment in the same that the environment affects the individual. The concept of altruism is vital for the success of the connection between the two for it refers to the voluntary action done by an individual for the betterment of others without asking for something in return.

References:

Flanagan, C., Jonsson, B., Botcheva, L., Csapo, B., Bowes, J., Macek, P., Averina, I., & Sheblanova, E. (1999). “Adolescent and the ‘social contract’: Developmental roots of citizenship in seven countries”. In

Yates, M. & Youniss, M. (Eds). Roots of civic identity: International perspectives on community service and activism in Youth. New York: Cambridge University Press, pp. 135-155. Nelson, J. (2004).

Zwick, M. & Fletcher, J. A. (2015, October 21) Levels of altruism. Retrieved from https://www.pdx.edu/sysc/sites/www.pdx.edu.sysc/files/levels_altruism_BiolTheo ry_web.pdf

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MODULE 8: The Individual Steps Out: Career, Community, and Society

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The society had witnessed the changes that occurred throughout the years. These transitions caused a significant impact to various social aspects such as economics, socio-culture, politics, and environment. Impacts brought by these changes may lead to a positive outcome or a negative consequence (or both). Availability of job and choice of career are correlated with these impacts. The development of human resiliency is also being tested, often particularly by environmental disasters.

Work is an essential aspect of life. Aside from being a source of income, work is a measurement of how productive an individual is as a member of the society. This amount of contribution increases one’s self esteem and self-worth (Goldsmith et al., 1997), as well as improves physiological well-being (International Labour Organisation, 2000). Journey to career achievement is consist of four steps: self-awareness, opportunity awareness, decision making, and taking action. Self-awarenessis discovering the area of interest. It is more of an assessment of one’s own qualities and desires—strengths, weaknesses, dream job, etc. It is influenced by a variety of factors including learned experiences from society and institution, global transition, family preference, and even societal interactions. Opportunity awareness is about seeking and researching for available opportunities that could match one’s skills and interests. It is also about learning the other needed qualifications that one needs to be achieved for in order to be qualified. Decision making is determining which among the opportunities suits one the best. Lastly, taking action refers to one’s expanded plan to achieve such goals. Financial support, current financial status, physical and mental well-being are just some of the things that should be put into consideration when creating a career plan. Road to a successful career is no joke, it is a long journey full obstacles which is brought by the changes and transitions such as changing information, developing technology, increasing globalization, financial crisis and intensified competition.

Aside from job, personal and community resilience is also influenced by the changing surroundings. According to Rutter (2012), resilience is the capacity to respond, adapt, absorb or survive a crisis or severe change. It is a personal and community achievement as it protects everyone from mental health difficulties. Resilience is often tested when hazards (man-made or natural) turned into disasters. A disaster only happens when people are left unprepared and helpless during a calamity. Other than humans, resources that are also exposed to vulnerable conditions can be considered as disaster as well.

The world is constantly changing— it’s inevitable and no one could stop it. It could bring positive or negative outcomes. Individuals should learn how to survive, adapt, and respond to these transitions. But the weight of responsibility in facing such changes should not be fully put on individuals alone. Government must also take necessary actions to prevent hazard from being a disaster.

References:

Goldsmith, A.H., Veum, J.R. and Darity, W.(1997). Unemployment, joblessness, psychological well-being and self-esteem: theory and evidence’, Journal of Socio-Economics, Vol. 26, pp. 133–58.

ILO. World employment report, (2000). Employability and the global economy – how training matters. Geneva, International Labour Organisation, pp. 262-265.

Rutter M. (20120. Risk and Protective Factors in the Development of Psychopathology. New York: Cambridge University Press.

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MODULE 9: Self in the Digital World

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Digital world has revolutionized the way people run their lives as it opens the door full of ideas, learning, and opportunities, allowing distanced- learning, teaching, and working possible. Digital world also allow people to be updated by providing them local, national and international news updates. Aside from current issues, past occurrence are also made available on the internet and printed books for people to be aware and learn something about it. But the most essential contribution of the digital world is the improvement of communication system. Features such as chat, text message, email, and audio and video call are made possible by the social media and other instant messaging applications. Its enhancement keeps people connected, allowing them to stay in touch despite long distance.

However, as much as it connects us online, digital world builds social disconnection offline. Too much engagement with it hinders our ability to build face-to-face relationships with the ones we are physically with. Aside from relationship, the adverse impacts of digital world also affect the well-being of the individuals. Sleep deprivation due to non-stop online engagement may affect academic and job performance which, in turn, lead to depression, truancy, inattentiveness, and even poor health condition (Allen, 2019). Superficial or false online self-presentations also adds pressure to those people who wanted to maintain their ideal images. Cyber bullying is also rampant online as social media became an alternative platform to those who spread racist, sexist, homophobic, or religious-based hate content (Allen, 2019). Sharing intimate information about self or “self-disclosure” is vital for identity exploration and building relationships, however, according to Subrahmanyam et al. (2019), the problem arises when the disclosure happened online as it digital record spreads so fast and may not be deleted permanently.

The birth of digital world is both a blessing and a curse. Daily updates, communication, distanced learning, and online job are made easy, efficient, and time-saving. However, too much engagement and inappropriate use of it affect the over-all well-being, as well as the offline social life of an individual. So it’s important that everyone is mindful and responsible for what they post, comment, and disclose online. We cannot deny the fact that we are already dependent to digital world despite the disadvantages that comes with it and the best that we can do now is find that balance between the two different worlds.

References:

Allen, S. (2019). Social media's growing impact on our lives. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/members/content/social-media-research

Subrahmanyam et al., (2004). Constructing sexuality and identity in an online teen chat room. Journal of Applied Developmental. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appdev.2004.09.007.