UNFOLDING THE BIOLOGICAL SELF

The Physical Dimension of the Self

 Physical Dimension of Self
qPhysical self is an important aspect because we are readily
recognized due to our physical features.
qPhysical attributes includes physical competencies, valuation
of physical worth, and perception of beauty.
qPhysical Self is shaped by biological and environmental factors.
(hygiene, nutrition, standards of beauty).
qPhysical Self is not just superficial but rather includes what is
inside our bodies.
 Factors that Affect in the Development of the
Biological Self
qBiological Blueprint qEnvironmental Conditioning
– Heredity qFamily
qMedia
– Genotype
– Phenotype
– DNA
– Maturation
 The Biological Blueprint
• A crucial aspect of the self is one’s
physical features including the face,
bodily structure, height and weight.
However, people should also consider
their physical competencies, valuation of
physical worth, and perception of beauty.
 • Am I beautiful?

• Do people find me attractive?

• What can I do to enhance my features?

• Body structure, weight, height, skin color, hair
color, and other physical characteristics do not
just develop at random.
• These are triggered by genetic transformations
and biological development through heredity
• Heredity- defined as the transmission of traits from
parents to offspring
• Genotype- refers to the specific information
embedded within one’s genes
• Phenotype- physical expression of a particular trait
• Each individual carries 23 pairs of chtomosomes.
The 23rd pair is the sex chromosomes, determines
the sex of an individual.
• DNA-contains the genetic instructions specifying the biological
development of every individual
• Maturation- completion of growth of a genetic character within
an organism or the unfolding of an individual’s inherent traits
or potential
Jare Ijalana, Nigerian
girl dubbed as “most
beautiful girl in the
world.
 Beauty by Numbers
• Our attraction to another person’s
body increases if that body is
symmetrical and in proportion.
• If a face is in proportion, we are
more likely to notice it and find it
beautiful.
• We perceive proportional bodies
to be more healthy.
• The self is impacted by the body
• The impact of culture on body image
and self esteem
• The importance of beauty
 Body Image, Self-Esteem and Influence of Society

• Society shapes us in many ways, possibly more than we

realize—from our interactions, to our personal
development through other’s perception of our bodies
as a reflection of self worth.
• We are social beings. Genetically, we rely on one
another for the survival of humanity. The primal
connection makes our interactions physiologically and
psychologically important.
 Body Image is both internal (personal) and external (society)

• This includes the following:

• How we perceive our bodies visually
• How we feel about our physical appearance
• How we think and talk to ourselves about our bodies
• Our sense of how other people view our bodies
Media and Body Image
• The greater our discontent with how we measure up when
compared to the societal or media supported norms, the more
negative our body image, and the greater the risk for extreme
weight or body control behaviours occurs.
• Extreme Dieting
• Extreme exercise compulsion
• Eating Disorders
• Extreme or unnecessary plastic surgery
• Using steroids for muscle buidling
 Today’s Embedded Ideals of the Physical
• Society nowadays allows us to see an image of fashionably clad
women, perfect skin, tiny waist, ample breasts, fashionably
protruding behinds, all with a weight of not greater than 59kg.
• They are unrealistic images of beauty, genetically impossible
for many of us to emulate. The same thing applies to the 6-
pack or ripped abs shoved in the face of men via famous
sportsmen and male fitness models, which for many is
impossible to achieve without illegal steroids.
• Yet we are told that these unattainable bodies are
normal, desirable and achievable. When we don’t
measure up, we develop a strong sense of
dissatisfaction and the way that manifests can be
ugly.
 Prejudice-Size
• Intolerance of body diversity has a lot to do with prejudice of
size and shape in our culture. Being thin, toned, muscular has
become associated with the hard-working, successful, popular,
beautiful, strong and disciplined.
• Being fat is associated with the lazy, ugly, weak and lacking in
will-power.
• With this prejudice, fat isn’t a description like tall or redhead-
it’s an indication of moral character and we are conditions to
think that fat is bad.
The Media

• The images of perfection we see in

print, film, television project an
unrealistic version of reality we are
continually told is attainable-if we
work out, eat less and lather our
bodies in transformative, firming and
tightening creams.
• The media is a powerful tool that reinforces cultural beliefs
and values, and while it may not be fully responsible for
determining the standards for physical attractiveness, it makes
escaping the barrage of images and attitudes almost
impossible.
 Family & Friends
• We learn from people, particularly those closest
to us about the things that are considered
important.
• Friendships are particularly important in body
image development because we place high value
on them, spend lots of time with our friends and
develop shared experiences, values and beliefs.
 Building a Strong and Positive Body Image

• Positive body image involves understanding

that healthy attractive bodies come in many
shapes and sizes, and that physical
appearance says very little about our
character or values as a person.
• Be Mindful of the things you watch, follow and listen to on social
media
• De-emphasize numbers
• Realize that we cannot change our body type.
• Stop comparing ourselves to others
• We need to move and enjoy our bodies not because we have to, but
because it makes us feel good.
• Spend time with people who have healthy relationship with food,
activity and their bodies.
• Question the degree to which self-esteem depends on our
appearance
• Recognize that size. Prejudice is a form of
discrimination similar to other forms of discrimination.
• Each of us will have a positive body image when we
have a realistic perception of our bodies, when we
enjoy, accept and celebrate how we are and let go of
negative societal or media perpetuated conditioning.
 Assignment
Write this on a 1 whole sheet of paper.
Due on October 5, 2023.

• 1. Define Self-image. What is your self-image about yourself?

• 2. Considering how you look now, is there anything you wish
to change? Why or Why not?