THE PHYSICAL SELF:

BODY IMAGE AND

SELF ESTEEM
LESSON 6
1 The concept of physical
self
2 The self as impacted by
the body CONTENTS
3 Physical beauty and personal
identity
4 Why Self- Esteem is
important
 THE CONCEPT OF PHYSICAL
SELF

The understanding of the Physical self is shaped by biological and

environmental factors.
As you grow up, you are exposed to environmental influences that shape your
physical self, including those from your social networks, societal
expectations, and cultural practices that will lead a person to understand
themselves.
 Arthur Marwick (1988) defends the view that physical beauty is no
more than what it is: only “skin deep.” It is a fact of life that
some people are physically beautiful while others are not.
physical beauty is defined as a feature of a person’s body. These
features can be valued, it seem independent of others that make a
person valuable, such as intellect, character, or humor,however
physical beauty was also considered suspect and dangerous, due to
its link to sexuality and its “mere canal”, power, and seductive
side.
The modern view that acknowledges the autonomous status of
physical beauty, although widespread nowadays, is still contested
by both feminists (beauty as a suspect concept, as a male
construct of feminine looks) as well as religious conservatives
(only inner beauty counts)
ARTHUR MARWICK (1998)
 The culture in which we are
surrounded by has a significant
impact on how we feel about
ourselves and the manner in
which we about our body
A person's attractiveness depends on
many features. we can value a person
at different levels with respect to his or
her:
A. Physical looks (body, face, figure)
B. artistic looks (clothes, make-up, perfume, hair)
C. personal looks (appearance, impressions, aura)
D. performance (voice, attitude, behavior)
E. personality (charisma, charm, appeal, allure)
F. relational capacities (contractual skills, communication competence)
G. Friendship abilities (reliable, nice, offbeat, loveable, companionable)
Judgment can be made at each level. A person may have good looks, but nevertheless be a faithless friend or very poor
dresser.
A person may be fat and ugly but extremely charming, with a pleasant attitude and a great personality. This is
how we evaluate a person’s appearance in everyday life.
These distinctive evaluations clearly appreciate the levels as independent dimensions. By this, we could already say
that evaluating someone’s beauty is difficult because we need to see the person as a whole and not just criticize
him/her because of the way he/she dresses or because of his/her skin color. Beauty is Beauty.
physical beauty can be valued, and an important implication follows. Intervention in the body itself is often the
only way out for those who want to be physically beautiful, and cosmetic or aesthetic surgery can be, at least for
some people and to some extent, the option par excellence.
WHAT ARE WE TO CONCEIVE OF
AS PHYSICALLY BEAUTIFUL OR
NOT BEAUTIFUL?
It may be helpful to consider for a moment the levels of artistic beauty and personal looks, as
mentioned above. these refer to a broader context than the narrow, bodily one, reflecting
views on the importance of make-up, clothes, fashion, and individual self-expression
 BEAUTY IS CULTURE BOND

AFRICA BRAZIL ASIA & AFRICA

They do not celebrate thinness the way Women want to appear fit and toned, Skin lightening has risen
other countries do. Famously the country and things like waxing, sculpting in popularity
of Mauritania has come to be known as massages, and manicures are everyday
one that idolizes overweight women. This treatments, not only reserved for the
is most often seen as a sign of wealth and spa
fertility
 Physical beauty in which one has an
interest
In an article on Immanuel Kant’s aesthetics, Hanna Ginsborg (1997) shows that according to Kant - beauty
can be attached to living things (organisms) as well as to artificial things (works of art). The character of
the judgment of beauty is the same in both cases. Moreover, central to Kant’s idea of beauty is that beauty
gives the observer a feeling of disinterested pleasure or liking. By ‘disinterested’ he means that the object
does not fulfill an aim or satisfy a need. According to Kant’s views, beauty judgments are not objective but
are nevertheless universal.
 Physical Beauty and Personal Identity

By assuming an attitude toward our bodily looks we more or less integrate our appearance-
related experiences into our lives and thereby make these experiences part of our personal
‘identity’

Physical beauty is understood as experienced beauty primarily from a relational perspective.

Implied is that not just that ugly nose or plain face or other bodily parts, as experienced by him
and others. Stories about reactions from friends and the attitudes of parents; stories about an
inherited ethnic nose, or the color of one’s skin; stories about one’s feelings, perhaps one’s
suffering, and about expectations for one’s future (Freedman, 1988)
 Physical Beauty and Personal Identity
The characterization of a person, therefore, includes experiences, values, beliefs, desires,
and psychological qualities, which together constitute someone as a person (Schetchman,
1996). Changing a person’s physical look by aesthetic surgery does not necessarily make
someone a different person, no matter how drastic the change

A new sense of identity has to fit the reconstructed image and leave the old self behind :
“Altering appearance also changes the way we see ourselves, and this is a crucial;
consequence of cosmetic surgery” But although ‘deep’ connections do exist between the
physical (biological) and the psychological (existential) realm of life, each undeniably
represents a different perspective: “Bodies contain, but do not determine.” Bodily changes
may undoubtedly change a person, but these changes do not necessarily imply a denial or
loss of his identity.
 Different kinds of Self-Esteem
is used to describes a person’s overall sense of self worth or personal value. In other words, how
Self-Esteem-
much you appreciate and llike yourself. It involves a variety of belief about yourself, such as the
appraisal of your own appearance, beliefs, emotions.

Inflated self-esteem Low Self-Esteem

This is positive esteem, which make
person be satisfied of themselves

These people hold high regard for These person does not value

themselves. Better than the other to themselves and do not trust

the point of underestimating them. High Self-Esteem their possibilities.

WHY SELF- ESTEEM IS
IMPORTANT?
Self-esteem can significantly influence your motivation and success throughout
your life. Low self-esteem may hold you back from succeeding at school or work
because you do not believe you are capable of success

By contrast, having a healthy self-esteem can help you achieve because you
navigate life with a positive, assertive attitude and believe you can accomplish your
goals.
 Sign of Healthy Self-Esteem Signs of Low Self-Esteem
You probably have healthy self-esteem if you You tend to experiences thee common problems

are more likely caused by low self-esteem

You believe that others are better
Avoid dwelling on past, negative
than you
experiences
You find it difficult to express your
Express your needs
needs

You focus on your weaknesses

Feel confident
You frequently experience feelings
such as shame, depressions, or
Have a positive outlook on life anxiety
You have intense fear off failure
Say “no” when you want to You have trouble accepting positive
feedback
See overall strengths and You have trouble saying “no”
weaknesses and accept them You put other people’s needs before
your own
You struggle with confidence
Thank you for listening!!