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5 The Physical Self

The document discusses the biological and cultural influences on physical self-image and beauty standards, emphasizing the societal pressures to conform to certain ideals. It highlights issues such as body dysmorphic disorder, anorexia, and the impact of cultural perceptions on self-esteem and body image. The text encourages embracing diversity and individuality, promoting a positive self-image and acceptance of one's imperfections.

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7 views16 pages

5 The Physical Self

The document discusses the biological and cultural influences on physical self-image and beauty standards, emphasizing the societal pressures to conform to certain ideals. It highlights issues such as body dysmorphic disorder, anorexia, and the impact of cultural perceptions on self-esteem and body image. The text encourages embracing diversity and individuality, promoting a positive self-image and acceptance of one's imperfections.

Uploaded by

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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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The Physical Self

Asnifa C. Acob, RPm


“You are imperfect, permanently, and
inevitably flawed. And you are beautiful.”
-Amy Bloom
Learning Outcomes
1.Understand the biological concept of our
physical selves
2.Analyze the impact of culture on body
image and self-esteem
3.Celebrate beauty in diversity
Introduction
• pressure in society to look good
• rise of many beauty products and
enhancement procedures
• fit in, be accepted, and be beautiful
• beauty standards
• “beauty is power”
Why do I look like myself?
Gregor Mendel – first figure out how
genes are passed from parents to
offspring in plants, including humans.
◦ experiments on pea plants
◦ through the genes traits were passed
from parent from parent to off spring
through several generations.
• Genetics
• Mirror of our parents – result of their
DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)
Cultural Standards of Beauty
• Concept of what is beautiful
• Fattening Rooms
• Skin Color
• “Are you happy with how
your society defines beauty?”
• Women have been evaluated
based on their appearance more
than men
• Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Cultural Standards of Beauty
• Anorexia – a serious mental illness where
people are of low weight due to limiting their
energy intake.
• Restricting the amount of food eaten, they may
do lots of exercise to get rid
• Some experience cycles of bingeing and then
purging
Cultural Standards of Beauty
• Body Dysmorphic Disorder – a severe form
of body image disturbance characterized by an
excessive concern or preoccupation with one’s
appearance and weight.
• Body Shaming (fat-shamed/ thin-shamed)
• Related body image issues/ disorders: OCD,
Anorexia, Bullimia
Cultural Standards of Beauty
• Body Image Disturbance (BID) – an important aspect
of several pathologies, particularly eating disorder.
o Perceptual Component/ Body Size Estimation: how
we accurately perceive our body size
o Attitudinal Component – we think and feel about the
size/ shape of their body, which if not correctly
processed, will result to body dissatisfaction.
• Body dissatisfaction is also linked with mental disorders
including depression and anxiety among adolescents
Healthy Body Image, and Self-Esteem
• unbearable standards
that our society mocks us
for looking imperfect
• lose self-confidence
and breaks self-esteem
The Unfiltered Self
“When was the last time
you posted an unfiltered
photo of yourself in any of
your social media
account? Why? What do
you think this is saying
about your idea of beauty,
and your self-esteem?”
Beauty in Diversity
• Stand against cultural requirement on what
they should do with their bodies
• Culture of resistance- a culture that veers
away from the dictates of what women in society
should look like to be beautiful.
Beauty in Diversity
• Embrace your physicals selves entails affirming
each other regardless of our skin color, stature, and
body mass index.
• Never allow yourself to be victims of this
• Celebrate the authentic us
• We do not need to hide our physical flaws
• Resist the demands of a depreciating image driven
society
You are who you look! Embrace
your physical self.
You are LOVED.
You are SPECIAL.
And you are BEAUTIFUL. 
Activity
Instruction: In a short, bond paper do the following.
1. Print a close-up picture of yourself.
2. Write a letter to yourself. Open up about your
struggles about fitting in with your society’s
standard of beauty. End your letter by embracing
your imperfections.

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