Chapter 2 Unpacking the Self

Intended Learning Outcomes: At the end of this chapter, the students are
expected to:

1. Identify the different aspects of self and identity

2. Demonstrate critical, reflective thought in integrating the various aspects of
self and
identity through video presentation
3. Identify the different forces and institutions that impact the development of
various
aspects of self and identity
4. Reflect on one’s self against the different aspects of self

2.1. The Physical Self

2.1. Sexual Self

It has been believed that the sex chromosomes of humans define the sex
(female or male) and their secondary sexual characteristics. From childhood,
we are controlled by our genetic make-up. It influences the way we treat
ourselves and others. However, there are individuals who do not accept their
innate sexual characteristics and they tend to change their sexual organs
through medications and surgery. Aside from our genes, our society or the
external environment helps shape our selves.

Gonads – reproductive gland that produce the gametes: testis or ovary begin
to form until about the eighth week of embryonic development (Marieb,
E.N., 2001)
Puberty – generally between the ages of 10 and 15 years old – the period
when the reproductive organs grow to their adult size and become
functional under the influence of rising levels of gonadal
hormones(testosterone in males and estrogen in females). After,
reproductive capability continues until old agein males and menopause
in females.

Diseases Associated with the Reproductive System

Infections – most common problems associated with the reproductive system
in adults. Vaginal infections are more common in young and elderly
women and in those whose resistance to diseases is low. The usual
infections include those caused by Escherichia coli which spread
through the digestive tract; the sexually transmitted microorganisms
such as syphilis, gonorrhea, herpes virus; and yeast (a type of fungus).
Vaginal infections that are left untreated may spread throughout the
female reproductive tract and may cause pelvic inflammatory
disease and sterility. Problems that involve painful or abnormal menses
may also be due to infection or hormone imbalance.

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In males, the most common inflammatory conditions are prostatitis, urethritis,
and epididymitis, all of which may follow sexual contacts in which
sexually transmitted disease (STD) microorganisms are transmitted.
Orchiditis, or inflammation of the testes, is rather uncommon but is
serious because it can cause sterility. Orchiditis most commonly follows
mumps in an adult male.
Most women hit the highest point of their reproductive abilities in their late 20s.
A natural decrease in ovarian function usually characterized by reduced
estrogen that causes irregular ovulation and shorter menstrual periods.
Consequently, ovulation and menses stop entirely, ending childbearing
ability. This event is called menopause, which occurs when females no
longer experience menstruation.
There is no counterpart for menopause in males. Although aging men show a
steady decline in testosterone secretion, their reproductive capability
seems unending. Healthy men are still able to father offspring well into
their 80s and beyond.

Erogenous Zones – refers to parts of the body that are primarily receptive and
increase sexual arousal when touched in a sexual manner.
- mouth, breasts, genitals, and anus
- may include the neck, thighs, abdomen, and feet

Human Sexual Behavior – any activity – solitary, between two persons, or in a

group – that induces sexual arousal (Gebhard, P.H. 2017).
1. Solitary Behavior – self-gratification means self-stimulation that leads to
arousal and generally, sexual climax
- generally beginning at or before puberty, is very common among
young males but becomes less frequent or is abandoned when
sociosexual activity is available
- some adolescents become aggressive when responding to stimuli like
advertising and social media
- the rate of teenage pregnancy is increasing in our time
- develop self-control in order to balance suppression and free
expression
- adolescents need to control their sexual response in order to prevent
premarital sex and acquire sexually transmitted disease
2. Sociosexual Behavior
Heterosexual behavior – male with female
Homosexual behavior – male with female or female with female
If three or more individuals are involved, it is possible to have
heterosexual and homosexual activity simultaneously

Physiology of Human Sexual Response

1. Excitement phase – cause by increase in pulse and blood pressure; a
sudden rise in blood supply to the surface of the body resulting in
increased skin temperature, flushing, and swelling of all distensible body
parts (particularly noticeable in the male reproductive structure and
female breasts), more rapid breathing, the secretion of genital fluids,
vaginal expansion, and a general increase in muscle tension. These
symptoms of arousal eventually increase to a near maximal physiological

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 level that leads to the next stage.
2. Plateau phase – generally of brief duration; if stimulation is continued,
orgasm usually
occurs.
3. Sexual climax – marked by feeling of abrupt, intense pleasure, a rapid
increase in pulse rate and blood pressure, and spasms of the pelvic
muscles causing contractions of the female reproductive organ and
ejaculation by the male. It is also characterized by involuntary
vocalizations. Sexual climax may last for a few seconds (normally not
over ten), after which the individual enters the resolution phase.
4. Resolution phase – the last stage that refers to the return to a normal or
subnormal physiologic state. Males and females are similar in their
response sequence. Whereas males return to normal even if stimulation
continues, but continued stimulation can produce additional orgasms in
females. Females are physically capable of repeated orgasms without
the intervening “rest period” required by males.

Nervous System Factors

The entire nervous system plays a significant role during sexual response.
The autonomic system is involved in controlling the involuntary responses. In
the presence of a stimulus capable enough of initiating a sexual response, the
efferent cerebrospinal nerves transmit the sensory messages to the brain. The
brain will interpret the sensory message and dictate what will be the immediate
and appropriate response of the body. After interpretation and integration of
sensory input, the efferent cerebrospinal nerves receive commands from the
brain and send them to the muscles; and the spinal cord serves as a great
transmission cable. The muscles contract in response to the signal coming
from the motor nerve fibers while glands secrete their respective products.
Hence, sexual response is dependent on the activity of the nervous system.
The hypothalamus and the limbic system are the parts of the brain
believed to be responsible for regulating the sexual response, but there is no
specialized “sex center” that has been located in the human brain.
Apart from brain-controlled sexual responses, there is some reflex (i.e.,
not brain-controlled) sexual response. This reflex is mediated by the lower
spinal cord and leads to erection and ejaculation for male, vaginal discharges
and lubrication for female when the genital and perineal areas are stimulated.
But still, the brain can over-rule and suppress such reflex activity – as it does
when an individual decides that a sexual response is socially inappropriate.
Sexual Problems – classified as physiological, psychological, and social in
origin.
- Physiological problems – least among the three categories. Some common
physiologic conditions include vaginal infections, retroverted uteri,
prostatitis, adrenal tumors, diabetes, senile changes of the vagina, and
cardiovascular problems
- Psychological problems – comprise by far the largest category; caused by
socially induced inhibitions, maladaptive attitudes, ignorance, and sexual
myths held by society. Premature emission of semen is a common problem,
especially for young males. Erectile impotence is almost always of
psychological origin in males under 40; in older males, physical causes are
more often involved. In other cases, the impotence may be the result of

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 disinterest in the sexual partner, fatigue, and distraction because of
nonsexual worries, intoxication, or other causes – such occasional
impotency is common and requires no therapy.

Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) – are infections transmitted from an

infected person to an uninfected person through sexual contact.
- STDs can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites
- Include gonorrhea, chancroid, trichomonas vaginalis, genital herpes, human
papillomavirus infection, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Acquired
Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), chlamydia, and syphilis (National
Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institute of Health
of the United States 2017).

Methods of Contraception and the Reproductive Health Law

Contraception refers to methods that are used to prevent pregnancy. Some
methods of contraception such as the use of condoms can be used
to prevent some STIs.
Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012, also known as
Reproductive Health Law or RH Law, guarantees universal access to
methods of contraception, fertility control, sexual education, and
maternal care. The RH Law provides for the “prevention and
treatment of HIV/AIDS and other STIs/STDs,” especially since the
number of HIV cases among the youth is increasing. Further, the RH
Law aims to keep couples and women especially, well-informed
about available family planning methods that they can freely use
depending on their needs and beliefs. It also aims to promote
awareness among adolescent and youth on sexuality and
reproductive health through proper sex education.

Methods of Contraception
Natural Method – natural family planning methods do not involve any chemical
or foreign body introduction into the human body
a. Abstinence – refraining from sexual intercourse and is the best method in
preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections or diseases.
However, most people find it difficult to comply with abstinence, so only
a few use this method.
b. Calendar Method – also called the Rhythm method – the number of days
in each menstrual cycle is recorded for 6 months in order to calculate the
woman’s safe days and the couple avoids sex during the fertile period
c. Basal Body Temperature – the Basal Body Temperature (BBT) indicates
the woman’s temperature at rest. The woman must record her
temperature before any activity. A slight decrease in the BBT followed by
a gradual increase in the BBT can be a sign that a woman has ovulated.
d. Cervical Mucus Method – also called the Billings Ovulation Method –
based on careful observation of mucus patterns during the course of the
menstrual cycle; the pattern may help in determining when a woman is
most likely to conceive or not.
e. Symptothermal Method – a combination of the BBT method and the
cervical mucus method. The woman records her temperature every
morning and also takes note of changes in her cervical mucus. She

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 should abstain from sexual intercourse 3 days after a rise in her
temperature or on the 4th day after the peak of a mucus change.
f. Ovulation Detection – uses an over-the-counter kit that requires the urine
sample of the woman. The kit can predict ovulation through the surge of
luteinizing hormone (LH) that happens 12 to 24 hours before ovulation.
g. Coitus Interruptus –one of the oldest methods that prevents conception. A
couple still goes on with coitus or sexual intercourse, but the man
withdraws the moment he ejaculates to emit the spermatozoa outside of
the female reproductive organ. A disadvantage of this method is the pre
-ejaculation fluid that contains a few spermatozoa that may cause
fertilization.

Artificial Methods
a. Oral Contraceptive Pills – also known as the pill, oral contraceptives
contain synthetic estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen suppresses the
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and LH to prevent ovulation.
Progesterone also decreases the permeability of the cervical mucus to
limit the sperm’s access to the ova. It is suggested that the woman
takes the first pill on the first Sunday after the beginning of a menstrual
flow, or as soon as it is prescribed by the doctor.
b. Transdermal Patch – contains both estrogen and progesterone. The
woman should apply one patch every week for 3 weeks on these areas:
upper outer arm, upper torso, abdomen, or buttocks. The area where the
th
patch is applied should be clean, dry, and free of irritation. At the 4
week, no patch is applied because the menstrual flow would then occur.
c. Vaginal Ring – release a combination of estrogen and progesterone and it
surrounds the cervix. This silicon ring is inserted into the female
reproductive organ and remains there for 3 weeks and then removed on
the 4th week, as the menstrual flow would occur. The woman becomes
fertile as soon as the ring is removed.
d. Subdermal Implants – two rod-like implants inserted under the skin of the
female during her menses or on the 7th day of her menstruation to make
sure that she will not get pregnant. The implants are made with
etonogestrel, desogestrel, and progestin and can be helpful for 3 to 5
years.
e. Hormonal Injections – contains medroxyprogesterone, a progesterone,
and is usually given once every 12 weeks intramuscularly. The injection
causes changes in the endometrium and cervical mucus and can help
prevent ovulation.
f. Intrauterine Device (IUD) – a small, T-shaped object containing
progesterone that is inserted into the uterus via the female reproductive
organ. It prevents fertilization by creating a local sterile inflammatory
condition to prevent implantation of the zygote. The IUD is fitted only by
the physician and inserted after the woman’s menstrual flow. The
device can be effective for 5 to 7 years.
g. Chemical Barriers – spermicides, vaginal gels and creams, and glycerin
films are used to cause the death of sperms before they can enter the
cervix and to lower the pH level of the female reproductive organ so that
it will not become conducive for the sperm.

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 h. Diaphragm – a circular, rubber disk that fits the cervix and should be
placed before coitus or sexual intercourse. Diaphragm works by
inhibiting the entrance of the sperm into the female reproductive organ
and it works better when used together with a spermicide. The
diaphragm should be fitted only by the physician, and should remain in
place for 6 hours after coitus.
i. Cervical Cap – made of soft rubber and filled on the rim of the cervix. It is
shaped like a thimble with a thin rim, and could stay in place for not more
than 48 hours.
j. Male Condoms – a latex or synthetic rubber sheath that is placed on the
erect male reproductive organ before penetration into the female
reproductive organ to trap the sperm during ejaculation. It can prevent
STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections) and can be bought over-the-
counter. Male condoms have an ideal fail rate of 2% and a typical fail
rate of 15% due to a break in the sheath’s integrity or spilling of semen.
k. Female Condoms – made up of latex rubber sheaths that are pre-
lubricated with spermicide. They are usually bound by 2 rings. The outer
ring is first inserted against the opening of the female reproductive organ
and the inner ring covers the cervix. It is used to prevent fertilization of
the egg by the sperm cells.
l. Surgical Methods - vasectomy for male while tubal ligation for female. During
vasectomy, a small incision is made on each side of the scrotum. The
vas deferens is then tied, cauterized, cut, or plugged to block the
passage of the sperm. The patient is advised to use a backup
contraceptive method until 2 negative sperm count results are recorded
because the sperm could remain viable in the vas deferens for 6 months.
In women, tubal ligation is performed after menstruation and before
ovulation. The procedure is done through a small incision under the
woman’s umbilicus that targets the fallopian tube for cutting,
cauterizing, or blocking to inhibit the passage of both the sperm and the
ova.

2.1.3. The Material Self / Economic Self

According to William James (1980, p.291), Harvard psychologist in the

late 19th century, the self is everything that an individual considers to be his or
hers, not only his or her body and material possessions but also his or her
reputation and beliefs. The self, therefore, is composed of the material self
which is the manifestation of one’s identity through his material possessions.
The basic component of the material self includes the body. One of the
tasks of adolescents is to accept and appreciate the physical characteristics of
their body. However, a few adolescents are able to do this successfully. They
tend to worry about their bodies and physical appearance. Generally, girls are
more concerned about the appearance of their body than boys. Perceptions
about what makes a body beautiful are usually influenced by the media as
shown in television and the social media.
Another component of the material self is the clothes that people wear
as these represent the self. The style and brand of clothes become significant
symbols, particularly among adolescents. The clothes they tend to wear are
greatly influenced by their peer groups because adolescents are anxious to

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conform to what their peer groups find fashionable and attractive.
Apart from clothes, the material component of the self can include
one’s house, car, pets, and other things that he or she considers as his or her
possession. The material component of the self also includes people an
individual has relationships with such as one’s immediate and extended
family members as well as close friends with whom one feels psychologically
connected. These people are likely to shape and influence the development of
one’s self and identity. Pets could also symbolically define a person’s
identity. The pet could be an expression of one’s social status, pride, and
prestige, as in owning a dog or cat of a very expensive breed.

The Role of Material Possession on the Sense of Self and Identity

- Russell Belk (1988) in his work Are We What We Own?, suggests
that material possessions act as an objective manifestation of the self.
Material possessions can be a reflection of hard work and success.
People tend to measure success through the amount of their material
possessions
- Defining the self by material possessions can also be contribute to
a feeling of well-being, including a sense of personal growth and
purpose or meaning in life. However, the lack or loss of material
possessions can be disruptive to one’s mental health, like people losing
their houses and their possessions because of disasters and calamities.
- The desire for material possessions also has negative effects on
one’s sense of self and identity. Materialism refers to giving more
importance to material possessions than intangible values. A
materialistic person is one who is excessively concerned with the
acquisition of material possessions. The strong desire for material
possessions could lead to psychological dysfunction or impairment in
functioning such as compulsive buying disorder (CBD) which is
characterized by an obsession with shopping and buying behaviors that
can cause adverse consequences (e.g., debts).
- When a person is about to make a purchase, he or she should ask
himself or herself a very important question: DO I REALLY NEED THIS?

Consumer Culture – a social system in which consumption is dominated by

the consumption of commercial products (Arnould, 2010)
- Denotes a social arrangement in which the relations between lived
culture and social resources, and between meaningful ways of life and
the symbolic and material resources on which they depend on are
mediated through markets. The consumption of market-made
commodities and desire-inducing marketing symbols is central to
consumer culture (Arnould& Craig, 2005). A consumerist society is one
in which people spend a great deal of time, money, and energy to
“consume” commercial products, goods, and services.

Consumerism – the consumption of material goods and services in excess of

one’s basic needs. This is closely tied to materialism. Both heavily
influence the way individuals view the self. It can be viewed positively
or negatively. For instance, people tend to be happier and more
motivated when their wants and needs are met. On the other hand, it

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 encourages people to buy products and services that they do not
really need or afford. The state of needs and wants tends to be
endless, and thus could cause negative effects such as
dissatisfaction, unhappiness, and depression.

As we grow older, putting importance to material possessions decreases.

However, material possession gains higher value in our lifetime if we use
material possession to find happiness, associate these things with significant
events, accomplishments, and people in our lives. There are even times when a
material possession of a person that is closely identified to the person gains
acknowledgement with high regard even if the person already passed away.
Example, the chair in the dining room on which the person is always seated,
the chair will be the constant reminder of the person seated there; a well-loved
and kept vehicle of the person, which some of the bereaved family members
have a difficulty to sell or let go of because that vehicle is very much identified
with the owner who passed away; the favorite pet or book, among others, that
the owner placed a high value, these favorite things are symbols of the owner.
The possessions that we dearly have tell something about who we are, our self
-concept, our past, and even our future.

2.1.3. Spiritual Self

Spiritual Self – one of the four constituents of the “self” according to William
James in his book, The Principles of Psychology in 1890
- The most intimate, inner subjective part of self
- The most intimate version of the self because of the satisfaction
experienced when thinking of one’s ability to argue and discriminate, of
one’s moral sensibility and conscience, and of our unconquerable will
(James 1890) is purer than all other sentiments of satisfaction. (Green
1997)

The ability to use moral sensibility and conscience may be seen through
the expressions of religion, its beliefs and practices. In the same manner,
cultural rituals and ceremonies are some manifestations what people believe in.
Moreover, seeking the meaning of life is a journey that the spiritual self is on.

Religion – a set of cultural beliefs and practices that usually includes some or
all of basic characteristics (Rebecca Stein, 2011). These characteristics are:
1. a belief in anthropomorphic supernatural being, such as spirit and gods
2. a focus on the sacred supernatural, where sacred refers to a feeling of
reverence and awe
3. the presence of supernatural power or energy that is found on supernatural
beings as well as physical beings and objects
4. the performance of ritual activities that involves the manipulation of sacred
object to
communicate to supernatural beings and/or to influence or control
events
5. the articulation of worldview and moral codes through narratives and other
means
6. provide the creation and maintenance of social bonds and mechanism of

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social control
within a community; provide explanation for unknown and a sense of
control for individuals.

Ritual – the performance of ceremonial acts prescribed by a tradition or

sacred law (Britannica 2017)
- A specific, observable mode of behavior by all known societies. It
is thus possible to view ritual as a way of defining or describing humans

Characteristics of rituals according to Penner (Britannica 2017):

1. a feeling or emotion of respect, awe, fascination, or dread in
relation to the sacred
2. dependence upon a belief system that is usually expressed in the
language of myth
3. is symbolic in relation to its reference

The self can be described as a ritual being who exhibits a striking parallel
between their ritual and verbal behavior. Just as language is a system of
symbols that is based upon arbitrary rules, ritual may be viewed as a system of
symbolic acts that is based upon arbitrary rules. Participation to rituals is
expressions of religious beliefs.

Some World Religious Beliefs and Practices

Religion Beliefs Customs and Practices
Buddhism Buddhism believes that life is not a bed Two types of mediation practices:
of roses. Instead, there are suffering, samathaandvipassana.
pain and frustrations. When people Samatha is practiced as mindfulness
suffer, they want to experience the of breathing and development of loving
goodness of life and avoid -kindness (MettaBhavana).
disappointments. It becomes a habit Vipassana practices aim at developing
known as the reactive cycle of wanting insight into reality. Acquiring wisdomis
and thing, like and dislike, and craving by studying Buddha’s teaching, the
and aversion. This reactive cycle can be Dharma. Through the reflection of
broken through the practice of Dharma, Buddhists can achieve a
mediation, acquiring more wisdom and deeper understanding of life. Buddhists
deeper understanding, and acceptance believe in non-violence principle.
of things as they are.
Some of the major Buddhist
celebrations are Parinirvana Day in
February; Buddha Day (Wesak) in May;
Dharma Day in July; Padmasambhava
Day in October; and Sangha Day in
November.
Christianity Christians believe in Trinitarian God. Sacrament of Baptism and Sacrament
One God in three personas: God the of Communion are practiced by
Father (Creator), God the Son (Savior), Christian churches. The Sacrament of
and God the Holy Spirit (Sustainer). Baptism symbolizes the birth in
Eternal life after death will be achieved Christian World, while the Sacrament
through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus of Communion is an act of
Christ is, God the Son, who came into remembrance of Jesus Christ’s
flesh, to spread the Good News of sacrificial love. Jesus Christ teaching in
Salvation. He died on the Cross for the unconditional love that is expressed in
sin of the humanity but resurrected loving the poor, oppressed, and

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 from the death, so that anyone who outcast of the society.
believes in Him will be saved and have Christmas and Resurrection (Easter)
eternal life. The Holy Bible is a selection are the two major celebrations in
of Books, which is divided into two, the Christianity. Christmas, usually on
Old Testament and New Testament. December 25, commemorates the
birth of Jesus Christ while Resurrection
Sunday (depends on the lunar
calendar), sometime in March or April)
celebrates the resurrection of Jesus
Christ from death.
Hinduism Hinduism covers a wide range of Diwali, and Navrati are the most
traditional beliefs and religious groups; celebrated festivals of the Hindus.
thus, there is no single founder or Diwali is the Festival of Lights while
leader. Hindus believe that existence is Navrati is the festival of nine lights,
a cycle of birth, death and rebirth, which celebrates the triumph of good
governed by Karma, a concept where over evil. Hindus have set dates to
the reincarnated life will depend on how honor particular manifestations of God.
the past life was spent. Hindus believe
that the soul passes through a cycle of
successive lives and its next incarnation
is always dependent on how the
previous life was lived. Vedas are
sacred scriptures of Hindus.
Mahabharata and Ramayana are two
other important texts of the Hindus.
Islam Muslims believe in Allah, who is their Muslims believe in the 5 pillars of
“One God.” They believe in the unity Islam, which are the foundation of
and universality of God. Muslims also Muslim life:
have a strong sense of community or 1. Shahadah – statement of faith:
“ummah” and an awareness of their “There is no God but the one true God
solidarity with all Muslims worldwide. and Mohammed is his messenger.”
Islam means “wiling submission to 2. Salat – the prayer that is practiced
God.” five times a day.
Muslims believe that Mohammed is the 3. Zakat – the monetary offering for
last and final prophet sent by God. the benefit ofthe poor. It comprises the
Mohammed was born in Mecca in 570 2.5% of a Muslim’sassets.
CE and received revelations from God 4. Hajj – the yearly pilgrimage to
through the Angel Gabriel over a period Mecca. Muslims who can afford are
of 23 years. The Holy Book of Islam is asked to do the pilgrimageat least
called the Quran, which was taught to once in their lifetime.
be recited in Arabic because many 5. Sawm – the fasting. Muslims do
translations is seen as inadequate. fasting, from food, drink, and sexual
act, during the
celebration of Ramadan. Ramadan is
the ninthmonth of the Islamiclunar
calendar. The fast is from dawn to
sunset.
Two of the major festivals in Islam are
Eidul-Fitr (the celebration at the end of
Ramadan) and Eidul-Adha (celebrated
within the completion of the
Pilgrimage, the Hajj).
Judaism The Jews believe in the God of Five major festivals observed by the
Abraham, the same God that liberated Jews:
the Hebrew slaves from Egypt to 1. Rosh Hashanah – the New Year
Canaan, the Promised Land through the 2. Yom Kippur – the Day of Atonement
leadership of Moses and later, Joshua. 3. Pesach – Passover
The Jews believe in the coming of the 4. Shavuot – Pentecost
Messiah, the Savior. The sacred 5. Sukkot – Tabernacles. The Jewish

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 scripture of the Jews is called the Torah Sabbath begins on Friday evening at
or the Law. The Torah is the guide of sunset and is an important time when
the Jewish living. The study and families gather for theShabbat meal.
interpretation of Torah is part of the
Jewish culture.

Finding and Creating Meaning of Life

Viktor Frankl Institute in Vienna – created in 1992, has a website where

there is a synopsis of Dr. Viktor E. Frankl’s life and works and present
programs.Dr. Viktor E. Frankl, a psychiatrist, was born on March 26, 1905 in
Vienna, Austria, where famous psychiatrists Sigmund Freud and Alfred Adler
lived. At a young age, he wrote a short paper to Freud which was published
after three years. Dr. Frankl graduated with a medical degree from the
University of Vienna in 1930. He was assigned in Vienna Hospital suicide ward
and headed the Rothschild Hospital, eight years later.

A survivor of the Holocaust, Dr. Frankl published a book about

logotherapy. The main belief of logotherapy is that “man’s primary
motivational force is search for meaning.” Logotherapy aids individuals to find
personal meaning of life, whatever life situation they may be.

In logotherapy, meaning can be discovered by creating a work or doing

a deed, experiencing something or encountering someone and the attitude
toward unavoidable suffering. According to the Viktor Frankl Institute of
Logotherapy, it uses the philosophy of optimism in the face of tragedy, where
people are capable of “turning suffering into human achievement and
accomplishment; deriving from guilt the opportunity to change oneself for the
better; and deriving from life’s transitoriness an incentive to take responsible
action.”

Basic Concepts of Franklian Psychology

 Life has meaning under all circumstances
 Main motivation for living is our will to find meaning in life
 Freedom to find meaning

Furthermore, Franklian Psychology aims to: (1) become aware of spiritual

resources, (2) make conscious spiritual resources, and (3) use “defiant power
of the human spirit” and stand up against adversity.

Logotherapy Assumptions
1. The human being is an entity consisting of body, mind and spirit. This deals
with the body (soma), mind (psyche), and spirit (noos). According to
Frankl, the body and mind are what we have and the spirit is what we are.
2. Life has meaning under all circumstances, even the most miserable.
Assumption two is “ultimate meaning.”This is difficult to grasp but it is
something everyone experiences and it represents an order in a world
with laws that go beyond human laws.
3. People have a will to meaning. This is seen as our main motivator for living
and acting.

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 When we see meaning, we are ready for any type of suffering. This
is considered to
be different than our will to achieve power and pleasure.
4. People have freedom under all circumstances to activate the will to find
meaning. This means that we arefree to activate our will to find meaning,
and this can be done under any circumstances. This deals with change
of attitudes about unavoidable fate. Frankl was able to test the first four
assumptions when he was confined in the concentration camps.
5. Life has a demand quality to which people must respond if decisions are to
be meaningful. This assumption, the meaning of the moment, is more
practical in daily living than ultimate meaning. Unlike ultimate meaning,
this meaning can be found and fulfilled. This can be done by following
the values of society or by following the voice of our conscience.
6. The individual is unique. This deals with one’s sense of meaning and
enhanced by the
realization that we are irreplaceable.

In essence, all humans are unique with an entity of body, mind, and spirit.
We all go through unique situations and are constantly looking to find meaning.
We are free to do these at all times in response to certain demands.

Frank’s Sources of Meaning

1. Purposeful Work. To find the meaning of life starts with holding a future goal.
Each individual has his own future goal to achieve or a task to perform.
That task or goal to fulfill becomes the meaning of their life. Therefore,
meaning of life is unique to every individual.
2. Courage in the Face of Difficulty. A meaningful life is a life with suffering
which is inevitable part of life. To find meaning of life is to recognize
suffering, pain, and death as part of life and to have the courage to face
these little difficulties.
3. Love. Costello (2015) captured Victor Frankl’s message: “The ultimate
secret on the spiritual foundation to life is that love is salvation and joy
eternity.”The ultimate factor to find the meaning of life is love.

2.1.4. The Political Self

Who is a Filipino?
According to the 1987 Constitution, Filipino citizens are “…those whose
father or mothers are citizens of the Philippines, those born before January 17,
1973, of Filipino mothers, who elect Philippine citizenship upon reaching the
age of majority, and those who are naturalized in accordance with law.”

Filipino Values and Traits

- The Filipino hospitality - Colonial mentality
- Respect for elders - “Mañana” habit
- Close family ties - “Ningaskugon”
- Cheerful personality - Pride
- Self-sacrifice - Crab mentality
- Bayanihan - Filipino time

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 - “Bahalana” attitude

Filipino Markers
1. Proverbs or Salawikain– sayings that convey lessons and reflections on
Filipino practices, beliefs, and traditions. Damiana Eugenio, regarded as
the Mother of Philippine Folklore, classified proverbs into 6 categories
(Eugenio, 2000):
a. proverbs expressing a general attitude toward life and the laws that
govern life;
b. ethical proverbs recommending certain virtues and condemning
certain vices;
c. proverbs expressing a system of values;
d. proverbs expressing general truths and observations about life and
human nature;
e. humorous proverbs; and
f. miscellaneous proverbs.
2. Superstitions – influenced by beliefs from other cultures, but Filipinos have
retold these superstitionsaccording to their own experiences and they
sometimes end up even more interesting
3. Myths and Legends – sprung about things that are beyond one’s
imagination. These stories are aimed to explain the origin of things, at
the same time, teach a valuable lesson. Some of these stories stemmed
in pre-Christianity period, but have evolved to the stories we know today.
4. Heroes and Icons – heroes serve a reminder of true patriotism and
nationalism as they have sacrificed their lives for the sake of their
country’s freedom and progress.
Famous Filipino icons also serve as important Filipino markers as they
have made the Filipino name more pronounced worldwide through their
own expertise.

Understanding Politics
Politics – Kendall (1998) defines politics as a social institution through which
power is acquired and exercised by people and groups.
- In Aristotle’s works, Politics, he describes the role that politics
and the political community must play in bringing about the virtuous life
in the citizenry. He observes that “man is by nature a political animal.”
- Politics is an important part of human development because it
promotes ideologies about democracy, citizenship, human rights,
freedom, family, health, and other social issues.
- Politics exists in all human societies. It serves as the mechanism
by which individuals develop power and understand proper functioning
of a democratic society as a citizen

Citizenship – the most basic identification with the nation and denotes the
membership of a citizen in a political society. As citizen, a person enjoys full
civil and political rights, including protection inside and outside the territory of
the state.

Political Self and Identity

- as an essential part of the self, the political self organizes self-

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 relevant information about politics. It constitutes knowledge about the
Constitution, government, and governance.
- The political self helps in defining the structure and functions of
the government, in telling and understanding the relationship between
the state and the citizens, and in describing their rights, freedom, and
obligations as citizens.
- The political self exemplifies the ideals and aspirations of the
people, embodies the rules and principles of the State, and determines
the status and power of the people.
- One important component of political self is identity, the person’s
understanding of who and what he or she is. Citizenship becomes a
salient basis for political self.
- The political self is often defined by citizenship. In her book,
Democracy and Citizenship, Ma. Serena Diokno (1997) mentions that
citizenship is the most basic identification with the nation and, as such, is
oriented towards the state and its expressions in law and policy.
- From the social and psychological perspectives, the individual’s
claim to citizenship means that the person relates himself or herself to a
group of others who also see themselves as citizen of a larger polity. As
such, the political self is also in part defined by reference to other
members in the political group or community where one belongs.
- The value component of identity construction is shaped by societal
agencies that enter the life of the individual from childhood all the way
through adulthood (Diokno, 1997). The political self and identity are
developed through socialization, through the ways people learn the
knowledge, norms, values, motives, and roles appropriate to their
positions in a group or community.
- Throughout life, as individuals meet new people and join new
groups, the political self is influenced and modified by the opinions,
comments, and suggestions of other people.

Theories of Political Self

Social learning theory – a person can acquire learning through
observation and imitation. In imitation, the learner watches the behavior of
another person (model) and then performs the behavior in a similar way.
Observation and imitation are important in a process known as political
socialization, the lifelong process by which individuals gain knowledge about
politics. In everyday life, social interaction significantly influences a person’s
understanding of politics. Through the process of identification, individuals
(especially children and adolescents) incorporate the characteristics or traits as
well as the values, beliefs, and motives of the models (parents or significant
people) they look up to.
Cognitive theory – suggest that the mental activities (e.g., knowledge,
perceptions, ideas) of individuals are important determinants of behavior (e.g.,
political attitudes). For example, individuals interpret the meaning of politics
and then choose and decide the action they will make.
Theory of symbolic interaction – suggests that behaviors are products
of communication, meaning, and symbols. People give meanings to symbols
and they express these meaning through language and communication. For
example, children develop their political attitudes according to the symbols and

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meanings that their parents communicate to them. Based on the symbols and
meanings that people ascribe to objects (e.g., politics, human rights, freedom),
people can formulate plans of action (e.g., election, demonstrations, rally).
Theory of political participation – political participation can be defined
as citizens’ action or activities anchored in politics. Thus, any activity
concerning the government or governance of the state is an example of
political participation. The extent and scope of political participation may be an
important criterion for assessing the value or quality of symbols and meanings
that people ascribe to politics. In order for political participation to work in a
society, a covenant of mutual trust and respect among members of the society
must exist. To sustain this covenant, there must be an open flow of
communication and feedback from the members. All members must also
commit to and take responsibility for fostering and maintaining an environment
in which political participation can occur. For instance, ordinary Filipino citizens
must be allowed to take part in the policy and decision-making process
regarding the administration of the country which is in accordance to the
democratic nature of the Philippine society.

How to be a Good Filipino

1. Be an active Filipino citizen
2. Study the Philippine history
3. Support local products
4. Speak the Filipino language
5. Do not spread fake news and be democratic in engaging with dissent

2.1.5. The Digital Self (Self and Others in Cyberspace)

Digital Self
Among the Filipino youth, the use of digital technology has now become
part of the self – the digital self. The digital self is the aspect of the self that is
expressed or shared with others through online interactions on the internet,
specifically in social networking sites. On such sites, users normally disclose
personal information such as their name, age, birthdate, address, and contact
details. Some users also provide very personal information about themselves
such as their likes and dislikes, hobbies, favorite food, favorite movies, places
they have visited, relationship status, thoughts and feelings, and important
events in their lives. This sharing of personal information on social networking
sites may be related to the strong desire of adolescents for social approval and
acceptance. Similar can be said about adults.

Self-Presentation and Impression Management

John DeLamater and Daniel Myers (2012) cite that the self is heavily
influenced by feedback from others. The impact of others whom people
interact with depends upon the nature of one’s relationship with them.
Interaction with significant others may be very influential to how one presents
himself or herself in a virtual space. The views of others through online
interactions (social networking) are so important that they become part of the
self. Personal information that individuals disclose through online interaction

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which others judge favorably through “liking” and “reacting” contribute to
positive self-concepts. Nevertheless, people try to present themselves in such
a way to impress – that is, to create positive impressions in the eyes of other
people. Self-presentation refers to an individual’s attempts, both conscious
and unconscious, to control how he or she projects himself or herself in social
interactions. Some forms of self-presentation may be authentic, but some may
be tactical or selective.
Self-presentation is inherent in all situations. The widespread use of
online interactions has increased the opportunities to engage in self-
presentation and impression management. Most people strive to create
images that are positive. Thus, individuals use several methods to create
positive impressions of them. Some individuals try to alter their appearances
through what they post on social networking sites such as Facebook,
Instagram, and Twitter by using photo editing tools. The desire to impress other
people on social media may lead to showing off one’s work, achievements,
and material possessions in a virtual place.
Nevertheless, the desire to create positive impressions and to be “liked”
by others may lead to consequences that can be risky to one’s security and
mental health, such as identity theft, cyberbullying, gossiping as well as anxiety
and depression. Thus, individuals should be very careful with what they post or
share on social networking sites. People should still be mindful of their privacy
using social networking sites.

Expression of Gender and Sexuality Online

The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines sexuality as the quality or state
of being sexual while gender is the psychological identification of a person as
masculine or feminine. Both could affect not only how people think about
themselves but also their relationships with other and how others think of them
as well (Cicarelli& White, 2012). Individuals tend to be categorized based on
their gender identities and sexuality in different types of situations that are
visible in different forms of media, especially social media. The portrayal of
male and female behaviors in media could affect the construction of
appropriate sexual behaviors of people, especially adolescents.
The internet and social networking sites provide channels for the
dissemination of information, including information about gender identity and
sexuality. For this reason, better and accurate information is now becoming
available. For example, the Psychological Association of the Philippines (PAP)
provides scientific knowledge on the application of psychological theories,
concepts, and principles on gender identity and sexual orientation to benefit
society and improve the lives of the members of the LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay,
bisexual, transgender, queer, +) community. In the PAP website, online
resources and publications on LGBTQ+ issues, resources, and information
addresses bias and discrimination issues. With the increasing urgency to
uphold human rights and to protect the dignity and equality of all persons of
various sexual orientations, a measure prohibiting discrimination on the basis
of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression is developed. In particular,
the Anti-Discrimination Act aims to protect the rights and welfare of the
LGBTQ+ people in the Philippines. The act recognizes the important role of
telecommunications and social media in protecting, particularly, the LGBTQ+
people from discriminatory acts.

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The Importance of Digital Technology
The use of technology is presently essential for individual survival and for
communication with other people. Just as the use of technology is becoming
important for individuals, it is also developing to be important for the
development of society. There have been so many technological
advancements over the past years. Technology has changed the social
features of people’s lives. It has altered the way people view the social
dimension of relationships and dictated new ways for people to relate with one
another. Advancements with software technologies have reached an
impressive level. These technologies improve not only very common areas of
people’s daily life, but also areas of education, health, and production
industries (Mishra, Misra, Mueller, Perez, Bhatia, & Wang, 2014).
Digital technology has enabled volumes of information to be
compressed in compact storage devices, so as to be easily contained and
delivered, minimizing the time it takes for data to be transmitted.
Digital technology has immensely changed the pattern of working as well
as the learning of new concepts, including communication. Innovations in
mobile phones, for example, resulted in the widespread use of the internet and
social networking.

Impact of Online Interactions on the Self

The Philippines has the fastest growing internet population in Southeast
Asia. This can be rooted to majority of the Filipinos, particularly the youth, use
the internet primarily for social networking which is mostly used for
communication, information, and entertainment (Estuar, 2003; Bristol, Caro,
Mangaliman, &Bernarte, 2013; Ignatius &Hechanova, 2014).
Mobile phones are ever more becoming a very valuable part of the daily
life of today’s youth (Iqbal, Khan, & Malik, 2017). They allow the users to keep
in touch, connect with people, and be updated on the activities and
whereabouts of others. However, the use of digital technology and online
interactions limit face-to-face interaction with others and has drawn people
away from meaningful and intimate communication with families and friends.
Hence, the growing use of the internet and social networking sites changes the
social behaviors of individuals, families, and societies as a whole.
Most users of social networking sites prefer to be anonymous may and
sometimes use false names. Privacy and confidentiality should be a major
concern, especially for adolescents who may not be entirely aware of the
consequences of sharing private information online, for anyone to see. They
usually post pictures and videos of themselves, their friends, and their family.
Thus, adolescents are particularly susceptible to cyberbullying, gossips, and
stalking. For this reason, the government together with academic and even
religious institution in the Philippines, make efforts to prevent and effectively
manage the spread of identity theft, false information and fake news in the
country.

Data Privacy Act

To protect the people from invasion of privacy, Republic Act 10173,
otherwise known as the Data Privacy Act of 2012, was passed in the Philippines.

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 It states that:
It is the policy of the State to protect the fundamental
human right of privacy, of communication while ensuring free
flow of information to promote innovation and growth. The
State recognizes the vital role of information and
communications technology in nation-building and its
inherent obligation to ensure that personal information in
information and communications systems in the government
and in the private sector are secured and protected. Personal
information in this context refers to any information, whether
recorded in a material form or not, from which the identity of
an individual is apparent or can be reasonably and directly
ascertained by the entity holding the information, or when put
together with other information would directly and certainly
identify an individual.

Setting Boundaries to Your Online Self: Smart Sharing

Guidelines that will help you share information online in a smart way that will
protect yourself and not harm others. Before posting or sharing anything online,
consider the following:
 Is this post/story necessary?
 Is there a real benefit to this post? Is it funny, warm-hearted,
teachable – or am I just making noise online without purpose?
 Have we (as a family or parent/child) resolved this issue? An issue
that is still being worked out at home, or one that is either vulnerable or
highly emotional, should not be made public.
 Is it appropriate? Does it stay within the boundaries of our family
values?
 Will this seem funny in 5, 10 or 15 years? Or is this post better
suited for sharing with a small group of family members? Or maybe not
at all?

Rules to Follow (New 2014)

 Stick to safer sites
 Guard your passwords
 Limit what you share
 Remember that anything you put online or post on a site is there
forever, even if you try to delete it
 Do not be mean or embarrass other people online
 Always tell if you see strange or bad behavior online
 Be choosy about your online friends
 Be patient

Chapter 2 Name:
Activity No. 1A __________________________________________

cu
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t
he
 Defining Beauty

Complete the sentences below.

1. For me, beauty means __________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

2. A beautiful person is ___________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

3. I am beautiful because
__________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

4. List down names of people you know who are beautiful

________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

Chapter 2 Name:
__________________________________________

c USMKCC-COL-F-050
u
t
 Activity No. 1B

Love Scale Test

Answer the Love Scale Test at http://www.5lovelanguages.com/
Write your reflection on the results

Chapter 2 Name:
Activity No. 2A __________________________________________

c USMKCC-COL-F-050
u
t
 Debit Card Challenge
A very wealthy person gave you a debit card and told you to use it as much as
you want to make yourself happy. What are you going to do with it? Make a list of
what you want to have. Write as many as you want.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________
Analysis
1. How do you feel as you do the Debit Card Challenge?
2. Which among the items in your list you like the most? Why?
3. If ever you were given the chance in real life to have one among the list, which
would you choose?
4. Does your choice differ from what you answer in question #2? Why or why not?
5. Let your classmate read your list. Ask him/her to give or write a quick impression of
yourself based on the list you showed him/her.
6. Does the quick impression of your classmate have some truth about who you are?

Application and Assessment – Debit Card Challenge List

1. Go back to your Debit Card Challenge List. Put a mark on the left side of each item
with the following categories:
B – if the item is related with your body
C – if the item is related with clothes
F – if the items is related or intended to your family
H – if the item is related with home

2. Answer the following questions:

 Which among the categories do you have the most in your list?
 What do you think these things tell you about yourself?

3. Make a reflection paper about material self. You may use your answers from the
above questions in making your paper.

Chapter 2 Name:
Activity No. 2B __________________________________________

c
USMKCC-COL-F-050
u
t
 Collage Making
Create a collage of your treasured possessions including your current clothing style.
You may use symbols or pictures of your treasured possessions. Put a short note why
you treasure each item.

Chapter 2 Name:
__________________________________________

USMKCC-COL-F-050
c
u
t
 Activity No. 2C

Setting Priorities About Values

Values are beliefs, feelings, and principles that guide a person’s actions and give
those actions meaning.

Values

1. Money

2. Peace of mind

3. Happiness

4. Success

5. Nature

6. Spiritual Life

7. Friends

8. Taking on Challenges

9. Satisfaction with Work

10. Learning

11. Balancing your life (work and play)

12. Physical Health

13. Family

14. Material Things

15. Contentment

Chapter 2 Name:
__________________________________________

USMKCC-COL-F-050
c
u
t
Activity No. 3A

How Spiritual Are You? Test

To find out, take this test, which is adapted from a personality inventory devised by
Washington University psychiatrist Robert Cloninger, author of Feeling Good: The
Science of Well-Being

1. I often feel so connected to the people around me that it is like

there is no separation between us. True
False

2. I often do things to help protect animals and plants from extinction. True
False

3. I am fascinated by the many things in life that cannot be scientifically

explained. True False

4. Often I have unexpected flashes of insight or understanding while

relaxing. True False

5. I sometimes feel so connected to nature that everything seems to be

part of one living organism. True
False

6. I seem to have a "sixth sense" that sometimes allows me to know

what is going to happen. True False

7. Sometimes I have felt like I was part of something with no limits or

boundaries in time and space. True
False

8. I am often called "absent-minded" because I get so wrapped up in

what I am doing that I lose track of everything else. True
False
9. I often feel a strong sense of unity with all the things around me. True
False

10. Even after thinking about something a long time, I have learned
to trust my feelings more than my logical reasons. True
False

11. I often feel a strong spiritual or emotional connection with all

the people around me. True
False

12. Often when I am concentrating on something, I lose awareness

of the passage of time. True
False

13. I have made real personal sacrifices in order to make the world a
better place, like trying to prevent war, poverty and injustice. True
False

14. I have had experiences that made my role in life so clear to me

that I felt very happy and excited. True False

USMKCC-COL-F-050
 15. I believe that I have experienced extrasensory perception. True
False

16. I have had moments of great joy in which I suddenly had a clear,
deep feeling of oneness with all that exists. True
False

17. Often when I look at an ordinary thing, something wonderful happens.

I get the feeling that I am seeing it fresh for the first time. True
False

18. I love the blooming of flowers in the spring as much as seeing an

old friend again. True False

19. It often seems to other people like I am in another world because

c I am so completely unaware of things going on around me. True
u False
t
20. I believe that miracles happen. True
False

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------

SCORING: Give yourself one point for each TRUE answer and 0 points for each FALSE
answer.
14 and above = highly spiritual, a real mystic
12-13 = spiritually aware, easily lost in the moment
8-11 = spiritually average; could develop more spiritual life if desired
6-7 = a practical empiricist lacking self-transcendence
1-5 = highly skeptical, resistant to developing spiritual awareness

Published with permission from C. Robert Cloninger, Sansone family Center for
Wellbeing, Washington University, St. Louis, Mo.

USMKCC-COL-F-050
 Chapter 2 Name:
Activity No. 3B __________________________________________

c
u Activity II-3B
t
Viktor Frankl’s Sources of the Meaning of Life

USMKCC-COL-F-050
 Chapter 2 Name:
Activity No. 3C __________________________________________

c Movie Analysis – Tanging Yaman

u
t

USMKCC-COL-F-050
 Chapter 2 Name:
Activity No. 4A __________________________________________

c
u What Makes You Proud of Being a Filipino?
t

USMKCC-COL-F-050
 Chapter 2 Name:
Activity No. 4B __________________________________________

c
u Filipino Hero
t Choose one Filipino hero. Explain why he is worthy of respect and emulation. What
characteristic/s can you identify and relate to or would like to follow?

USMKCC-COL-F-050
 Chapter 2 Name:
Activity No. 5A __________________________________________

c
u
t Slogan on Becoming a Responsible Internet User

USMKCC-COL-F-050
 Chapter 2 Name:
Activity No. 5B __________________________________________

c
u Internet Addiction Test
t Answer the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) by Kimberly Young at
http://www.globaladdiction.org/dldocs/GLOBALADDICTION-Scales-
InternetAddictionTest.pdf.
Write your insights on the outcomes of the test.

USMKCC-COL-F-050
Chapter 2 Name:
Activity No. 6A __________________________________________

Basic Psychological Needs/ My Unique Picture Album

USMKCC-COL-F-050
USMKCC-COL-F-050