gible,

assing
alth. It’s
UNPACKING THE
esthetic

, weight, skin
ture, and other
t self-perception
individual.
he Physical Self
The
Physical
Definition: The physical self refers to the tangible,
bodily aspect of a person's identity, encompassing

Self As
appearance, physical abilities, and overall health. It’s
how individuals perceive their body and its aesthetic

Impacted
presentation in the world

By The
Appearance includes features such as height, weight, skin
color, hair texture, body shape, facial structure, and other
Body
physical traits. These characteristics can affect self-perception
and how others perceive and interact with an individual.
 The Physical Self
Definition: The physical self refers to the tangible,
bodily aspect of a person's identity, encompassing
urself appearance, physical abilities, and overall health. It’s
tion. how individuals perceive their body and its aesthetic
ead to presentation in the world
rted
es as Appearance includes features such as height, weight, skin
ng, where color, hair texture, body shape, facial structure, and other
ption of physical traits. These characteristics can affect self-perception
and how others perceive and interact with an individual.
 Body Consciousness
The Physical Self
and Perception
Definition: The physical self refers to the tangible,
,, bodily
Imagine aspect
beingofconstantly
a person's aware
identity,
ofencompassing
every
ome
ome aspect of your
appearance, appearance,
physical abilities, comparing yourself
and overall health. It’s
ccess.
cess. to societal
how standards
individuals of their
perceive beauty and
body perfection.
and its aesthetic
uals
ualstoto This heightened
presentation in thebody
worldconsciousness can lead to
image,
mage, either a heightened self-esteem or a distorted
nhealthy
nhealthy perception of one's body, known as body
es
esthis
this Appearance
dysmorphia,includes
where onefeatures
can'tsuch
seeas height, weight,
themselves as skin
ed
ed color, hair are.
they truly texture, bodyemotional
It affects shape, facial structure,
well-being, and other
where
gtoto the result
physical will These
traits. depend whether your
characteristics canperception of
affect self-perception
action
ction yourhow
and physical-self is positive
others perceive or negative.
and interact with an individual.
Body Consciousness
Portrayal in our
and Perception
Environment
Imagine being constantly
Media oftenaware
portraysof every
unrealistic,
aspect of your appearance,
idealized body comparing
images that yourself
become
to societal standards of beauty
the standard and perfection.
for beauty and success.
This heightenedThis body consciousness
portrayal can causecan lead to to
individuals
either a heightenedstrive self-esteem or a distorted
for an unattainable body image,
perception of one's body,
leading known as body
to dissatisfaction and unhealthy
dysmorphia, where one can't
behaviors. see
Social themselves
media amplifies asthis
they truly are. It by
affects emotional
showcasing well-being,
filtered and editedwhere
the result will depend
versionswhether your
of reality, perception
often leading to of
your physical-self is positiveand
comparison or negative.
body dissatisfaction
among users.
A Brief History
Portrayal of the
in our
“Ideal Body”
Environment
Early 20th Century:
Media often portrays
The Gibson unrealistic,
Girl—curvy figure
idealized body
with aimages that
cinched become
waist.
the standard for beauty and success.
This portrayal can cause individuals to
strive for an unattainable body image,
leading to dissatisfaction and unhealthy
behaviors. Social media amplifies this
by showcasing filtered and edited
versions of reality, often leading to
comparison and body dissatisfaction
among users.
A Brief History of the
“Ideal Body”
1920s: Flapper era—thin,
boyish figure became popular.
 A Brief History of the
“Ideal Body”

1950s:
Hourglass
— figure
epitomized
by Marilyn
Monroe.
A Brief History of the
“Ideal Body”

1980s-1990s:
Supermodel era—
tall, slim, and
athletic bodies
became the
ideal.
A Brief History of the
“Ideal Body”
2000s to Present: A mix of body types, with a
growing acceptance of diverse body shapes, yet still
influenced by media portrayal of slim and fit bodies.
THE
IMPACT
OF
CULTURE
ON BODY
IMAGE AND
BEAUTY
THE IMPACT OF CULTURE ON
BODY IMAGE AND BEAUTY

The survey results overwhelmingly suggest that a significant

majority, 90.9%, believe that beauty standards do indeed vary
across different cultures, while only a small fraction, 9.1%, think
otherwise. This outcome reflects a widespread recognition of
the diversity and subjectivity inherent in perceptions of beauty.
THE IMPACT OF CULTURE ON
BODY IMAGE AND BEAUTY

➢When is a person considered beautiful?

➢What is the socially accepted standard of
beauty? In terms of body size.

Usually, only the physical features such as

the face and body figure are considered
as the bases of beauty.
THE IMPACT OF CULTURE ON
BODY IMAGE AND BEAUTY

A significant aspect of culture that strongly

influences adolescents who are in a face-to-face
encounter with their physical selves is how their
culture conceptualizes beauty.

Young adolescents are forced to adhere to

society’s definition of beauty lest they be labeled
ugly or “pangit”.
Social Constructionist
Approach
This suggests that beauty, weight, sexuality,
or race do not simply result from the
collection of genes one inherited from one’s
parents. Instead, these bodily features only
take on the meaning that they have. A person
may have a certain set of facial features or
weigh a certain number of pounds and
attractiveness will come from the time and
place in which they live.
Essentialist View of
the Body
Essentialism means that bodies are defined entirely
by their biological make-up – bones, muscles,
hormones, and the like.

Reductionist Idea
It emphasizes the importance of considering social,
cultural, and historical contexts to fully understand
human behavior and biology.
The
Body
Beyond
Biology:
Understanding
the Social,
Cultural, and
Historical
Context
• An anthropologist, Mary
Douglas (1973) highlighted
the body as a powerful
symbol and medium of
classification, leading to the
emergence of rules for social
control. She emphasized that
the physical body can be
perceived as a threat to the
social body, particularly in
societies with strict social
limits.
• In sociology, Erving
Goffman's Dramaturgical
theory (1982) suggests
that individuals act as
actors on a stage,
engaging in impression
management to control
their behavior based on
societal perceptions. This
internalization of social
control is seen as a part of
the civilization process.
 • The statement "A
woman is what she
wears" by Janes Gaines
suggests that women
are often defined by
their clothing,
highlighting the
l importance of fashion in
defining identity.
• The mass media often reinforces cultural
beliefs about body image, leading to negative
body image perceptions and behaviors,
particularly among women, and contributing to
the prevalence of eating disorders.

• Understanding the complexities of body image is crucial

for addressing issues related to self-esteem, identity, and
societal pressures related to appearance.
 Challenges and complications may
occur when an individual's concept of body
image diverges from societal norms
regarding beauty.
 Misconceptions and Pressures on
Young People Regarding Body Image
• It's evident that culture plays a significant role, with a vast majority (78.8%) of
respondents acknowledging its influence.
• Media, both traditional and social, also emerged as significant influencers, with 69.7%
and 84.4% of respondents respectively acknowledging their impact.
• Personal experiences were also recognized by a substantial portion (72.2%) of
respondents.
• Advertising, while slightly lower in percentage (54.5%), still represents a notable factor
influencing beauty perception.
• Education and family were identified as factors by a smaller proportion of respondents
(36.4% and 33.3% respectively).
 Cultural factors that may lead to some
misconceptions in terms of physical features
or beauty standards:

• Societal standards regarding the ideal physical

appearance for both genders.
Misconceptions and Pressures on
• Representations of perfection portrayed across
Young People
various media Regarding
platforms, Body
including Image
print, TV,
movies, and the internet.
• Due to the establishment of societal norms
and their reinforcement through media, any
deviation from these norms is often deemed as
unattractive.
 Cultural factors that may lead to some
misconceptions in terms of physical features
or beauty standards:
• •Societal
• SocietalSocietalstandards
standards regarding
regarding
standards the
the ideal
regarding ideal
physical
the ideal
physical
physical appearance
appearance
appearance for both genders. for
forboth
both genders.
genders.
n • Representations of perfection portrayed across
These ideals can vary widely across different
ge These
various
cultures
ideals
media
and
can vary including
platforms,
time
widely across
periods,
different
print,
reflecting TV,
changing
cultures
movies, and and
the time periods, reflecting changing
internet.
perceptions
perceptionsofofbeauty
beautyandandgender
genderroles.
roles.
• Due to the establishment of societal norms
and their reinforcement through media, any
deviation from these norms is often deemed as
unattractive.
l • Societal standards regarding the ideal
physical appearance for both genders.
s These ideals can vary widely across different
cultures and time periods, reflecting changing
perceptions of beauty and gender roles.

s
 • Representations of perfection portrayed
deal across various media platforms, including
ers. print, TV, movies, and the internet.

erent These media representations often depict flawless

nging individuals with idealized physical features,
les. lifestyles, and achievements, creating an
aspirational yet unattainable standard for the
audience.
 • Due to the establishment of societal
d
norms and their reinforcement through
ng
media, any deviation from these norms is
often deemed as unattractive.
wless
Features such as body size, skin color, facial
,
features, and other physical attributes may be
deemed undesirable or unattractive if they do
he
not align with the prevailing beauty
standards.
tal
ugh
ms is Young individuals were strongly affected by
these misconceptions. These misconceptions
significantly impact the way young individuals
acial develop their body image and its impact on
ay be their self-worth.
ey do
cted by
eptions
ividuals
pact on
The results of the survey indicate that a significant
majority, 60.6% of respondents, spend more time
thinking about what they dislike about their appearance
rather than what they like about it. This suggests a
prevalent tendency towards self-criticism or negative
self-perception among the participants.
 Perception of beauty depends on how a person
defines it and the standards a person sets to meet
this definition.

nce
BODY
IMAGE &
SELF
ESTEEM
• Self-esteem is all about how much you feel you
are worth —and how much you feel other people
value you. It is how you value and respect
yourself as a person.

• Self-esteem is your subjective sense of overall

personal worth or value. It is the overall
evaluation that a person has of himself which can
be positive or negative, high or low.
• Body image is how you view
your physical self —including
whether you feel you are attractive
and whether others like your looks.
Body image and self-esteem directly
influence one another. When you
have healthy body image, you feel
comfortable about your body and
know how to care for it.
Our self-esteem is determined by
many factors, including how well we
view our own performance and
appearance, and how satisfied we are
with our relationships with other
people.

(Tafarodi & Swann, 1995). Tafarodi, R. W., & Swann, W. B., Jr. (1995).
Self-liking and self-competence as dimensions of global self-esteem:
Initial validation of a measure. Journal of Personality Assessment,
65(2), 322–342.
Self-esteem is a global evaluative dimension of the self.
It can be a measure of a person’s self-worth based on
some personal or social standard.

Low Self-Esteem
Low self-esteem makes you doubt yourself and
your decisions, which can hold you back from
trying new things. It can affect your relationships
and confidence, making you feel unlovable and
unworthy. Low self-esteem can lead to anxiety,
depression, and even thoughts of suicide,
making life harder and relationships tougher.
Numerous studies have used the Rosenberg scale to
assess people’s self-esteem in many areas of the
world. An interesting
High Self-Esteem finding in many samples from
the Western world, particularly in North America, is
Having healthy self-esteem can push you to achieve your
thatgoals
the average
because youscore is often
believe significantly
in yourself. higher
It also helps you set
boundaries in than
relationships
the and have a good relationship
mid-point.
with yourself and others.
Rosenberg, M. (1965). Society and the adolescent self-image. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

However, people with too much self-esteem might think

they're better than they actually are and expect success
withoutHeine
the skills
and to Lehman
back it up.(1999)
This canreported
cause problems in
that Japanese
relationships and stop them from improving because
participants
they're obsessedliving in Japan
with being showed, on average, moderate
perfect.
levels of self-esteem, normally distributed around the
scale mid-point.
Heine, S. J., Lehman, D. R., Markus, H. R., & Kitayama, S. (1999). Is there a universal need for positive self-regard?
Psychological Review, 106(4), 766-794. doi: 10.1037/0033-295X.106.4.766
Numerous studies have used the Rosenberg scale to
assess people’s self-esteem in many areas of the
world. An interesting finding in many samples from
the Western world, particularly in North America, is
that the average score is often significantly higher
than the mid-point.
Rosenberg, M. (1965). Society and the adolescent self-image. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

Heine and Lehman (1999) reported that Japanese

participants living in Japan showed, on average, moderate
levels of self-esteem, normally distributed around the
scale mid-point.
Heine, S. J., Lehman, D. R., Markus, H. R., & Kitayama, S. (1999). Is there a universal need for positive self-regard?
Psychological Review, 106(4), 766-794. doi: 10.1037/0033-295X.106.4.766
 Many other studies have shown that people in
Eastern, collectivistic cultures report significantly
lower self-esteem than those from more Western,
The impact of culture on body image and
individualistic ones.
self-esteem has been very crucial for sometimes
D. R. (1996).people depend Measurement,on thiscorrelates,
when theyboundaries.
define beautiful.
(Campbell et al., 1996). Campbell, J. D., Trapnell, P. D., Heine, S. J., Katz, I. M., Lavallee, L. F., & Lehman,
Self-concept clarity: personality and cultural
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 70(1), 141-156.

In today's
Values society, body image
such as modesty may beis aless
significant concern
prioritized in
due to the overwhelming
individualistic cultures than inpressure to be
collectivistic thinwhich
ones, and may
se beautiful. Thisdifferences
constant emphasis onself-esteem
thinness and
derate in turn reflect in reported levels.
beautyCai
Indeed, causes individuals(2007)
and colleagues to scrutinize
found thattheir own andin
differences
the
others' bodies,
self-esteem often leading
between Easterntoanda harsher
Western self-view
countries than
reality.
participants were explained by cultural differences.
f-regard?
Cai, H., Brown, J. D., Deng, C., & Oakes, M. A. (2007). Self-esteem and culture: Differences in cognitive self-evaluations or
affective self-regard?. Asian Journal Of Social Psychology, 10(3), 162-170. doi:10.1111/j.1467-839X.2007.00222.x
 Beauty as define by the society,
culture
The impactoroftraditions, is what
culture on body image and
matter
self-esteem hasto the
been veryperson.
crucial for sometimes
people depend on this when they define beautiful.

Different cultures and societies decide what they think is

In today's society, body image is a significant concern
beautiful,
due and this affects what
to the overwhelming people
pressure to believe
be thin isand
attractive.
may Media and tradition alsoemphasis
play a bigon
part in shaping
els. beautiful. This constant thinness andthese
ideas. causes
beauty But everyone has their
individuals own opinions
to scrutinize about
their ownwhat's
and
es in
s beautiful,
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often own to
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a harsherand beliefs.than
self-view So,
. beauty is really just what each person thinks is pretty or
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uations or
0222.x
 Beauty as define by the society,
culture or traditions, is what
matter to the person.
ul.

Different cultures and societies decide what they think is

cern
beautiful, and this affects what people believe is attractive.
Media and tradition also play a big part in shaping these
and ideas. But everyone has their own opinions about what's
w than beautiful, based on their own experiences and beliefs. So,
beauty is really just what each person thinks is pretty or
appealing.
 “We all know that
self-esteem comes from
what you think of you, not
think is
attractive.
what other people think of
g these you”
what's
eliefs. So, -Gloria Graynor
etty or