This document discusses how consumer culture and material possessions relate to our sense of self and identity. It presents a model of the "material self" that includes our body, clothes, immediate family, and home as key constituents. The document summarizes research showing that we often view our possessions as part of our self, and that our material goods can reflect our self-concept, past experiences, and future aspirations. While the importance we place on material items may decrease with age, possessions that are meaningful to us can gain greater value by being associated with significant life events and relationships.
This document discusses how consumer culture and material possessions relate to our sense of self and identity. It presents a model of the "material self" that includes our body, clothes, immediate family, and home as key constituents. The document summarizes research showing that we often view our possessions as part of our self, and that our material goods can reflect our self-concept, past experiences, and future aspirations. While the importance we place on material items may decrease with age, possessions that are meaningful to us can gain greater value by being associated with significant life events and relationships.
This document discusses how consumer culture and material possessions relate to our sense of self and identity. It presents a model of the "material self" that includes our body, clothes, immediate family, and home as key constituents. The document summarizes research showing that we often view our possessions as part of our self, and that our material goods can reflect our self-concept, past experiences, and future aspirations. While the importance we place on material items may decrease with age, possessions that are meaningful to us can gain greater value by being associated with significant life events and relationships.
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to: 1. Explain the association of self and possessions; 2. Identify the role of consumer culture to self and identity; and 3. Appraise one’s self based on the description of material self. We are living in a world of shopping spree. We are given a wide array of products to purchase from a simple set of spoon and fork to owning a restaurant. Almost everywhere, including the digital space, we can find promotions of product purchase. Product advertisements are suggestive of making us feel better or feel good. Part of us wants to have that product. What makes us want to have those products are connected with who we are. What we want to have and already possess is related to our self. Belk (1988) stated that “we regard our possessions as parts of our selves. We are what we have and what we possess.” There is a direct link between self-identity with what we have and possess. Our wanting to have and possess has a connection with another aspect of the self, the material self. William James, wrote in his book, The Principles of Psychology in 1890 that understanding the self can be examined through its different components: (1) its constituents; (2) the feelings and emotions they arouse—self-feelings; (3) the actions to which they prompt—self-seeking and self- preservation The constituents of self are composed of the material self, the social self, the spiritual self, and the pure ego. Body Clothes Immediate Family Home the innermost part of our material self we strive hard to make sure that this body functions well and good. we do have certain preferential attachment or intimate closeness to certain body parts because of its value. essential part of the material self the fabric and style of the clothes we wear bring sensations to the body to which directly affect our attitudes and behavior. is a form of self-expression. We choose and wear clothes that reflect our self. our parents and siblings hold another great important part of our self. What they do or become affects us. when our immediate family members dies, part of our self dies too. When their lives are in success, we feel their victories as if we are one holding the trophy. we place huge investment in our immediate family when we see them as the nearest replica of our self. home is where our heart is. It is the earliest nest of our selfhood our experiences inside the home were recorded and marked on particular parts and things in our home. is an extension of self, because in it, we can directly connect our self. Russel Belk (1988) said that “… we regard our possessions as part of ourselves. We are what we have and what we posses” As we grow older, putting importance to material possession decreases. But, material possession gains higher value in our lifetime if we use material possession to find happiness, associate these things with significant events, accomplishments and people in our lives. The possessions that we dearly have tell something about who we are, our self-concept, our past and even our future. We regard our possessions as parts of our selves. We are what we have and what we possess.” Material self investment diagram Body - we strive hard to make sure that this body functions well and good. Clothes - essential part of the material self Immediate family - our parents and siblings hold another great important part of our self. Home - It is the earliest nest of our selfhood As we grow older, putting importance to material possession decreases. The possessions that we dearly have tell something about who we are, our self-concept, our past and even our future. Reflect and answer the following: (10 points each) 1. How much do I love myself? Based your answer on the different perspectives of the self. 2. How do I see myself based on the perception of others? 3. How am I affecting other people? 4. Explain the statement in not less than 300 words, “A truly rich man knows how to give and serve others”