*Physical Self

"Man is a transitional being? This body is a bridge." (Sri Arubindo).

Physical Self refers to the body, this marvelous container and complex, finely tuned,
machine with which we interface with our environment and fellow beings.

The Physical Self is the concrete dimension, the tangible aspect of the person that can be
directly observed and examined.

Physical Self

 Psychological well being

 Tangible matter
 It can be observe
 Does not only include physical appearance, Habits, lifestyle, abilities could be a part
of it

Physical Mind- Subjective

Physical Body- Objective

Physical Self has found a place in various schools of psychology like psychoanalysis,
behaviorism, humanism etc. with some of its most ardent exponents and followers dealing
with the issue in varying proportions.

William James considered body as the initial source of sensation and necessary for
the origin and maintenance of personality. However, James considered body subservient to the
mind, for e.g., mental concentration can be so tightly focused? as not only to banish
ordinary sensations, but even the severest pain? (James, 1890, Vol. 1, p.49). For James the
body is an expressive tool of indwelling consciousness and good physical health is something
that wells up from the every part of the body of a muscularly well trained human being, and
soaks the indwelling soul in him with satisfaction?. It is an element of spiritual hygiene of
supreme significance. (James, 1899. p. 103).

Body obeys the mind – William James

BODY- expressive tool

MIND – superior of conciousness

 In Psychoanalytical school, Sigmund Freud's construction of self and personality
makes the physical body the core of human experience. Freud was of the view that the ego is
first and foremost a body ego (Freud, 1937).

 Personality becomes the core of human behavior

 It is the Mind that dictates and the body performs the action.
 MIND- Dictates what action to be done
 BODY - Action

For Erik Erikson, experience is anchored in the ground-plan of body (Erikson, 1963).
According to him the role of bodily organs is especially important in early developmental
stages of a person’s life. Later in life, the development of physical as well as intellectual skills
help determine whether the individual will achieve a sense of competence and ability to choose
demanding roles in a complex society. However, as a stage theorist, Erikson is aware of the
constant interaction of the body, psychological processes and social forces. He acknowledges
the classical Freudian view of fundamental biological drives but insists that these drives are
socially modifiable.

 Role of the body

 Body organs are important in the development of physical self.

STAGES OF PSYCHOSOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

(BEHAVIOR/ PERSONALITY)

 Trust vs. Mistrust

 Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt
 Initiative vs. Guilt
 Industry vs. Inferiority
 Identity vs. Self confusion
 Intimacy vs. Isolation
 Generatively vs. Stagnation
 Integrity vs. Despair

Carl Gustav Jung in his exposition to Analytical Psychology didn't deal explicitly
with the role of the body and choose to direct his efforts to analyzing the psyche only. He has
argued that physical processes are relevant to us only to the extent they are represented in the
psyche. The physical body and the external world can be known only as psychological
experiences: I'm chiefly concerned with the psyche itself, therefore I'm leaving out body and
spirit. The body and spirit are to me mere aspects of the reality of the psyche. Psychic
experience is the only immediate experience. Body is as metaphysical as the spirit. (Jung,
1973).

 Psyche- human mind, spirit, soul

 “What you see or think about your physical self is who you really are”

B. F. Skinner was a staunch behaviorist and for him the role of body is of primary
importance. For Skinner the terms personality and self are mere explanatory fictions and all
there is, is the body. However, in spite of this, body never truly interested the skinner. He
treats human being as an unopened, but certainly not empty, box.

*Nor self, nor identity, only body

HOW TO DEVELOP THE PHYSICAL SELF

 Eat healthy foods ( be healthy)

 Get better sleep (sleep)
 Do physical exercise (exercise)
 Observe proper hygiene (proper hygiene)
 Stay away from alcohol and drugs ( No to Vices)

2 COMPONENTS OF PHYSICAL SELF

 Nutrition
 Exercise

Physical Self Worth