Group 2 Report

Module 3:
The Unfolding and Social Self

Section 1: The Social Self

The Self and its Social Agencies

 Human Development is largely influenced by membership in crucial social groups.

 An Individual is born into a family.
 At the beginning of life, one already belongs to a social group: his or her Family.
 Parents are one’s first teacher.
 Schools and the general academic environment form a significant part of the social self.
 Communities also shape one’s social self to a large extent.

Culture

 According to Edward Taylor (1871), “Culture is the complex whole which includes
knowledge, belief, law, art, moral, custom, and other capabilities and habits acquired by
man as member of society.”
 Culture manifested a man’s thoughts, behaviors, and expression.

Bioecological Systems Theory

 Proposed by Urie Bronfenbrenner (1935)

Five Specific Systems that shape an individual’s sense of self:

1. Microsystem – institutions and social groups

2. Mesosystem – interconnections among aspects of the microsystem affecting the
individual.
3. Exosystem – social setting that an individual has no direct interaction.
4. Macrosystem – larger cultural context in which the individual resides in.
5. Chronosystems – patterns of environmental events, including sociohistorical events.
Individualism-Collectivism Model

 Proposed by Hazel Rose Markus and Shinobu Kitayama (1991).

 Individualistic are observed to be Competitive and Self-reliant.
 Collectivist orientation values relationships and harmony.
 The Philippine society is traditionally perceived to be a collectivist.

I vs. Me

 One’s behavior when he or she is alone differs from his or her behavior when he or she is
with others.
 “I” is the unsocialized self, and the “Me” is the socialized self.

Section 2: The Socio-Digital Self

The Self in the Age of Technology

 Social Media
 One of the innovations that improved people’s interaction and socialization processes.
 Is defined as the websites and applications that make it easier to create and share
information, ideas, and interests.
 Online Disembodiment
 Less likely to display their real “selves” to others, especially to strangers.

Digital Identity

 Online activities such as chatting, blogging, and even shopping online would require the
person to establish a “Digital Identity”.
 It allows a person to be part of a virtual community that goes beyond physical and
geographical boundaries.
 According to Turkle (1995), people can redefine themselves on the internet. Assumptions
made on the virtual world are different from those of real life.
 Enables people to create fake identities.

Online Disinhibitions Effect

 When people are adopting fake identities.

Two main categories of behavior that fall under this effect:

1. Benign Disinhibition – self- disclosure more on the internet than they would in real life.
2. Toxic Disinhibition – using rude language, bully, or threaten others on online platform.

Managing Responsible Online Behavior

 Do not post or send anything that will embarrass you.

 Avoid posting statements when experiencing strong emotions.
 Do not hang out with the “wrong crowd” online.
 Be careful with the oversharing, especially confidential information that may be used
irresponsibly.
 Respect other people in the online community.

Section 3: The Material/Economic Self

The Self in a Material World

 Material possessions such as laptops and cellphones and are familiar with different
technological innovations.
 Parents buy necessities for their family because it is symbolic of their need to provide
“Security”.

Two Important factors:

1. Needs – are those important for survival. Food, clothing, and shelter are basic needs so
people purchase them out of necessity.
2. Wants – are synonymous with luxuries.

 The possession of material things also indicates one’s status in the society. People can tell
whether the owner is part of a wealthy family or in the middle class. One’s possessions
are perceived as personal choices that define people to a certain extent. There personal
choices build one’s material and economic self which is an extension of his or her social
identity.