PHYSICAL SELF

Physical Self
• refers to the body, the
marvelous container and
complex, finely tuned, machine
with which we interface with our
environment and fellow beings.
• the concrete dimension, the
tangible aspect of the person
that can be directly observed
and examined.
 Importance of the Physical Self
• William James considered body as the initial source of
sensation and necessary for the origin and maintenance
of personality.
• For Erik Erikson, the role of bodily organs is especially
important in early developmental stages of a person’s
life.
• The Indian tradition views growth and enlightenment as
the whole-body event, which is not possible until one has
a pure and strong body.
• As a biological entity, the
body has a functional role,
but as a social entity it is
the most visible way of
expressing and presenting
someone's identity.
• It conveys important
messages about social status
and subculture membership;
in turn, it receives messages
from the outside.
Factors Affecting Physical Growth and
Development

•Heredity – biological transmission of

traits from parents of offspring.
•Environment – refers to the factors in
which the individual is exposed after
conception to death which includes
learning and experience.
 APPEARANCE
Everything about a person that others can observe such as height,
weight, skin color, and hairstyle.
 BODY IMAGE
Refers to a person's emotional attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions
of their own body.
• How we perceive our bodies visually
• How we feel about our physical appearance
• How we think and talk to ourselves about our
bodies
• How we think other people view our bodies

BODY
IMAGE
 SELF-ESTEEM
A person's overall subjective sense of personal worth or value. In
other words, how much you appreciate and like yourself.
CONCEPT OF BEAUTY
 LET'S ▪ What does the word beauty mean to
you?
REFLECT! ▪ Do you like it when people tell you
that you are beautiful/handsome?
▪ What’s the best compliment you’ve
ever received?
▪ Do you think that Barbie dolls,
Disney princesses, and superheroes
give little boys and girls unrealistic
body expectations?
Perceptions of Perfection
•A study, carried out by Fractyl titled "Perceptions of
Perfection" asked 18 female graphic designers around the
world to photoshop the image of a model to reflect what
they felt would make the image more attractive to the
citizens of their country. The results show just how much
the "perfect body" varies depending on geographic
location.
Definitions of Beauty Around
the World
Ethiopia: Body Scars
• While some are concerned with
erasing scars, Ethiopia’s Karo tribe
is creating them. In the tribe’s eyes,
beauty is literally skin deep: the
scars cut onto the stomachs of
women at childhood are seen as
beautiful adornments meant to
attract men who are husband
material.
Kenya: Long Earlobes and
Shaved Heads

• Tothe Masai tribe of Kenya, long,

stretched earlobes and low-
maintenance buzz cuts are the
ideal. Women are known to shave
their heads and use everything
from elephant tusks to twigs to
pierce and stretch their lobes to
become more attractive.
Burma & Thailand: Long
Necks
• Long giraffe like necks are the ultimate sign
of beauty and female elegance to the Kayan
tribe. At 5 years old, Kayan women start
priming their necks with heavy brass rings.
Each year, more coils are added, pushing
down their shoulders and creating the effect
of a longer neck. Keep in mind that the rings
in this centuries old ritual can weigh up to 22
pounds (9.98 kg).
China,Thailand & Japan: Pale
Skin
• In various parts of Asia, pale, white
skin is revered as a sign of affluence
and attractiveness. In Japan, women
avoid the sun at all costs, while skin-
care products with whitening agents
are the norm in places like China and
Thailand. Sometimes, it’s hard to find
products without bleaching
properties.
India: Decorated Skin

• Instead of accessorizing with

extravagant jewelry, women in India
turn to nose rings, bindis and henna to
make themselves more attractive for
festivals and celebrations, like
weddings. Brides in particular will
often wear a dot of red powder on the
face known as a kumkum to look more
beautiful.
Mauritania: Full Figures
• While Americans are perpetually dieting and
striving to be thin, Western African cultures find
women who are overweight to be the most beautiful
— the more stretch marks, the better. In the past,
it wasn’t completely unheard of for families
in Mauritania to send their daughters to
“fat farms,” camps that would force-feed
girls 16,000 calories a day to help them reach their
ideal weight. Fuller figures are still the ideal, and
fattening camel’s and cow’s milk are go-to for
plumping up, but thankfully, the government now
frowns upon the unpleasant force feeding.
Causes of Poor Body Image
• MediaInfluence: Unrealistic portrayals of
beauty in media, advertising, and social media
can create unattainable standards, leading to
comparison and dissatisfaction with one's
appearance.
 Causes of Poor Body Image

• Social Pressures: Societal norms and peer pressure to

conform to certain body types or beauty standards can
significantly impact how individuals perceive themselves.
• Trauma or Bullying: Experiences of trauma, abuse, or bullying
related to appearance can deeply impact how one views
themselves.
Causes of Poor Body Image
• Health Conditions: Physical health issues, disabilities, or
chronic illnesses might lead to dissatisfaction with one's body
due to changes in appearance or functionality.
• CulturalExpectations: Different cultures have varied ideals
of beauty that may conflict with an individual's natural body
shape or features.
Causes of Poor Body Image
• Childhood and Family
Influences: Upbringing, family
attitudes toward body image,
and past experiences of
criticism or teasing about
appearance can shape one's
perception of their body.
• Critical Life Transitions:
Significant life changes such as
puberty, pregnancy, aging, or
weight changes can alter body
image perceptions.
Effects of Poor Body Image
• Mental Health Issues: It often contributes to the
development or exacerbation of mental health conditions such
as depression, anxiety, and eating disorders like anorexia
nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge-eating disorder.
Effects of Poor Body Image
• Social Withdrawal and Isolation: Feeling uncomfortable or
ashamed about one's body may lead to withdrawal from social
activities, avoiding social gatherings, or isolating oneself from
others.
• Impaired Relationships: Poor body image can strain relationships
due to heightened self-consciousness, fear of judgment, or
difficulty in accepting intimacy.
Effects of Poor Body Image
•Low Self-Esteem: Negative body image can erode one's self-
esteem, leading to feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt, and a
persistent sense of not being good enough.
•Unhealthy Behaviors: It might result in engaging in unhealthy
behaviors such as extreme dieting, over-exercising, or substance
abuse as an attempt to attain the perceived ideal body.
Building a Strong and Positive Body Image

• Set Realistic Expectations: Understand that bodies come in

different shapes and sizes. Accept and embrace your unique body
rather than striving for an unattainable ideal.
• Diverse Representation: Surround yourself with diverse
representations of beauty. Follow body-positive accounts, read
literature that celebrates diverse bodies, and expose yourself to
a range of body types and shapes.
•A body image problem happens when your appearance don't match your
beauty standards. For example, if you feel that attractiveness is synonymous
with being slender or having fair skin, and you are not slim (but not obese) or
fair, you may believe that you are unattractive, even if others say that you
are.
• The problem here is not your appearance but your beauty standards. In
order to like your appearance, what must be fixed is your false beliefs about
physical attractiveness.
Building a Strong and Positive Body Image
• Focus on Health, Not Just Appearance: Shift the focus from
appearance-based goals to health and well-being. Emphasize
nourishing your body with healthy food, regular exercise, and
sufficient rest.
• Surround Yourself with Support: Cultivate relationships with
people who appreciate and support you for who you are beyond
just your appearance. Surrounding yourself with positivity can
reinforce your own positive body image.
Building a Strong and Positive Body Image
• Gratitudeand Appreciation: Practice gratitude
for what your body allows you to do—whether
it's walking, laughing, or enjoying hobbies.
Appreciating your body's functionality can shift
focus away from appearance.
• PracticeSelf-Compassion: Be kind and gentle
with yourself. Acknowledge and appreciate your
body's strengths and abilities rather than
focusing solely on appearance.
• Seek Professional Help: If negative body
image significantly affects your well-being,
seek guidance from a therapist or counselor
experienced in body image issues.