UNDERSTANDING THE SELF - MIDTERM

_____________________________________________________________________________________
LESSON: Understanding the Digital Self
_____________________________________________________________________________________

1. Digital Self – (a) the social identity that an internet user established in online communities and
websites. (b) It can also be considered as an actively constructed presentation of one’s self.
2. Your social media posts or content reflects how you decide to present yourself and manage yourself
online. Common Categories of social media contents people posts online: Personal Updates; Selfies
and Photos; Travel and Adventure; Food and Culinary Delights; Hobbies and Interests; Achievements
and Milestones; Social Causes and Activism; Humor and Memes; Inspiration and Motivation; Product
and Service Recommendations; Relationship and Family Updates; Educational and Informative
Content; Fashion and Style
3. Nature of Online Identities: True identity - Your true identity is who you are in the real world,
beyond the digital realm. It includes your name, personal characteristics, and values.
Partial Identity - your partial identity is the persona you present in specific online contexts, such as
social media, forums, or professional networks.
4. In the digital world, we can curate/design our online identity by: A) Selective self-presentation B)
Impression management
5. Selective self-presentation - intentional process of choosing and presenting specific aspects of
oneself while concealing or downplaying other aspects. Examples: Highlighting Achievements:
Sharing successes and positive experiences while omitting failures or challenges.
Curating Photos: Selectively posting images that present a desired image or lifestyle.
Filtering Content: Choosing to share content that aligns with a particular image or persona.
6. Impression management - Conscious or subconscious efforts to control how others perceive us.
Examples: Strategies: Ingratiation: conforming to others' expectations or preferences; Self-
Promotion: emphasizing positive qualities, achievements, and skills; Exemplification: demonstrating
moral or admirable behavior; Suppression: withholding information that may create a negative
impression.
7. Managing online identities is important because:
a. It provides platforms for people to express their feelings and show different sides of their
personalities.
b. It helps to shape people’s interpersonal perception.
c. People often associate your virtual identities with real life identities.
d. Employers will use online platforms to verify and validate the identity of individuals.
e. More importantly, the materials posted online may exist forever and may always be
searchable.
8. ISSUE: Oversharing - act of disclosing excessive, personal, or inappropriate information
online/digital; often in social media
9. List of things We often Overshare and Should Not!
a. Relationship problems
b. Personal failures
c. Emotional struggles
d. Workplace issues
e. Health issues
10. Why is it sometimes easier to share online than in real communication? Answer: Disinhibition
effect - the lack of face-to-face –meeting results to feelings of anonymity and invisibility
11. Impact of Online Interaction on the Self
a. Positive
• Enhanced self esteem if you connect with supportive communities
• Enhanced sense of empowerment because it gives opportunities for self-
expression, creativity, and sharing personal achievements
• Favorable reputation if you keep a positive digital footprint through thoughtful
online interactions
b. Negative
• Can affect how you view your worth and abilities if you are exposed to harmful
content
• May lead to social comparison and feelings of inadequacy because of idealized
representations on social media
• Cyberbullying or online harassment can have severe emotional consequences
12. Digital Etiquette and responsible online behavior
a. Think before you post
b. Be Respectful
c. Use appropriate language
d. Respect privacy
e. Respect Diversity
f. Use Private channels for private matters
g. Follow platform rules
h. Cite sources

_____________________________________________________________________________________
LESSON: Understanding the Sexual Self
_____________________________________________________________________________________
1. SEXUAL SELF - individual's understanding, identity, and expression of their sexuality
2. Basic Concepts:
a. Sex (based on sex organ): Male or Female or Intersex
b. Gender Identity:
i. Cisgender – ex: female at birth and identifies as a woman
ii. Transgender – ex: male at birth but identifies as a woman
iii. Gender queer - People who identify as genderqueer may see themselves as both
male and female, as neither, or as a different gender entirely
iv. Gender fluid - gender identity is not fixed to one gender and may change over time.
v. Gender Expression: The way a person outwardly expresses their gender through
appearance, clothing, behavior, and other aspects.
c. Sexual Orientation: attracted to male or female or both.
i. Heterosexual – attracted to opposite sex;
ii. Homosexual – attracted to same sex;
iii. Bisexual – attracted to both sex;
iv. Pansexual” (sexual or romantic attraction is not limited to any particular sex or
gender identity
3. Effects of Gender Stereotypes:
a. Stereotypes about masculinity may discourage men from seeking help for mental health
issues
b. Women may feel pressured to conform to beauty ideals, leading to body dissatisfaction
c. Societal expectations regarding the roles of mothers and fathers can impact parenting styles
and division of household responsibilities
d. Stereotypes about gender roles may influence individuals' decisions regarding their
academic and professional paths
e. Gender stereotypes can affect workplace dynamics, contributing to gender bias in hiring,
promotions, and task assignments
4. Sexual development
a. Infancy and Childhood - children begin to explore their bodies, discovering sensations
b. Adolescence - development of secondary sex characteristics and understanding one’s
gender identity, sexual exploration, forming relationships
c. Adulthood - entering committed relationships, addressing fertility, family planning, and the
impact of sexual health
d. Late Adulthood - intimacy in the later stages of life, addressing sexual health
5. Factors Affecting Attitude/Idea About one’s sexuality:
a. Biological – genes and hormones
b. Cultures – society’s attitude towards relationship, sex, gender
c. Media – notions of intimacy, sexual behaviors
d. Family – sexual values and norms
e. Psychological factors – disorders, sexual well-being
f. Education – sex education
g. Healthcare – education, contraception, healthcare services
h. Legality – laws on sex, marriage, consent, LGBTQ rights
6. Attraction, Lust, and Love:
a. ATTRACTION - positive feelings or attitudes that one individual has toward another: Physical,
Personality, Similarity, Proximity, Reciprocity
b. LUST - driven by immediate and intense physical and sexual desire
c. LOVE - involves a deep level of emotional intimacy, care, respect, and a sense of
commitment, encompasses physical desire and attraction
7. Issue: Sexually transmitted Diseases (STDs)
a. HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
b. Gonorrhea
c. Syphilis
d. Herpes
e. Chlamydia
f. HPV (Human Papillomavirus)
8. Contraception
1. Barrier method – condom, cervical cap
2. Hormonal methods – birth control pills
3. Intrauterine Devices (UIDs)
4. Permanent Methods – tubal ligation, vasectomy
5. Fertility awareness – calendar method
9. Prevention of STDs
a. Monogamous relationship (stick to one)
b. Avoid risky behaviors – multiple sexual partners
c. Use Protection – vaccination, condom
d. Health check-ups