GE 1 (1210)

UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

CHAPTER 2  The same is the case with hearing;

hearing music does not necessarily
UNPACKING THE SELF give the perception of harmony as it is
WHAT PHILOSOPHERS THINK distinct from the hearing.
ABOUT BEAUTY
Before the 18th century, most Western WHAT DID PYSCHOLOGY DISCOVER
philosophical views on beauty treated it as ABOUT BEAUTY?
an objective quality. o Psychology – found through research
St. Augustine that some people hold a cognitive bias
called a halo effect.
 Asked whether things were beautiful
o Cognitive Bias – is an error in
because it gave delight, or whether it
reasoning, evaluating, remembering, or
gave delight because it was beautiful.
other mantal process that is often a
He believed it to be the latter.
result of holding on to one’s
Plato preferences and beliefs regardless of
 Connected beauty as a response to contrary information.
love and desire. o Halo effect – also known as the
 He asserted that beauty exists in the physical attractiveness stereotype and
realm of Forms, and that objects are the “what is beautiful is good” principle.
found beautiful because they are a Refers to the tendency of people to rate
reflection of the idea of beauty that attractive individuals more favorably for
already exists in the realm of Forms. their personality traits or characteristics
as compared to those who are less
Aristotle attractive.
 Asserted that the chief forms of beauty
Research found that a person who is
are order, symmetry, and definiteness
perceived as attractive makes more money
that can be demonstrated by
than a person of below-average looks. In
mathematical sciences.
politics, voters not actively engaged in
issues choose candidates based on looks
BEAUTY – is associated with 90% of the time.
subjectiveness in the 18th century (Hume;
Evolutionary Psychology – found that
Kant; Hutcheson)
faces hold certain fundamental and
David Hume important characteristics that could indicate
 “Beauty is no quality in things a person’s quality as a romantic partner
themselves: It exists merely in the mind and as a mate.
which contemplates them; and each
mind perceives a different beauty.”
What does evolutionary psychology tell
Immanuel Kant us about hormones and men’s tendency
 “The judgement of taste is therefore not to be attracted to women and vice versa?
a judgement of cognition, and is Hormones – sculpt our faces, and we are
consequently not logical but programmed to be drawn to strong
aesthetical, by which we understand indicators of maleness and femaleness
that whose determining ground can be because they reflect an individual’s health.
no other than subjective.”
Effects of Culture on Body Image
Francis Hutcheson  Body image – is generally defined as
 “The perception of beauty does not how one thinks and feels toward one’s
depend on the external sense of sight; body.
however, the internal sense of beauty  Ideal standards of body sizes are
operates as an internal or reflex culturally specific.
sense.
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UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

The Philippines is influenced by chooses to display their sexuality,

American culture in its emphasis on dieting including attire, conduct, and other
and thinness. A study showed that young mediums.
Filipino women are dissatisfied with their  Relationships, personal growth, and
bodies. self-awareness can all be significantly
influenced by one’s sexual identity,
A positive body image makes you love which is a very intimate and essential
yourself more and boosts your self-esteem. component of one’s total identity.
 Self-esteem (created by William Miya Yamanouchi
James) – is about how you value
 “Self-love is about respecting and
yourself and how you feel others value
appreciating every single part of who
you. Self-esteem is important because
you are and being proud to be you.”
it can affect your mental health as well
as how you behave (view your strength What are Secondary Sex
& weakness, successes & failures. Characteristics?
 Self-image problem happens when  Any of a few manifestations, as
your looks do not match your beauty development of breasts or beard,
standards. muscularity, distribution of fat tissue,
The problem here is with your own and change of pitch in voice, specific to
beauty standards and not with your looks. each sex and incipient at puberty but
To have a positive self-image and a higher not essential to reproduction.
self-esteem you must fix your false beliefs Primary Sex Characteristics
about physical attractiveness first.  Any of the body structures directly
concerned in reproduction, as the
testes, ovaries, and external genitalia.
THE SEXUAL SELF
The term “sexual self” describes a
person’s unique, subjective knowledge, Further Sexual Development Occurs at
experience, and presentation of their Puberty
sexuality. It includes everything of a PUBERTY
person’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors - is the stage of development at which
connected to their identity, sexual individuals become sexually mature.
preferences, and orientation. The outcome of puberty is different for
This facet of the individual comprises: boys and girls, but the hormones
process is similar.
 Whether a person identifies as
- Is a phase of development during which
heterosexual, bisexual, homosexual,
a child’s body matures into an adult’s
asexual, or with another sexual
reproductive system. It involves a
orientation is known as their SEXUAL
series of physical, hormonal, and
ORIENTATION.
emotional changes.
 Gender Identity: The process by
- Typically, it begins around the ages of
which a person determines their own
8 to 13 in girls and 9 to 14 in boys, but
gender, which may or may not the timing can vary widely from person
correspond with their BIOLOGICAL
to person.
SEX. Given that it affects how one
expresses their sexuality, this is a
crucial component of the sexual self. During puberty, the body undergoes
 Sexual Preferences: These may have various changes:
to do with what kind of relationships or o Physical Changes: these includes
sexual pursuits a person finds growth spurts, changes in body shape,
desirable. development of primary and secondary
 Sexual Expression: This refers to the sexual characteristics (such as breast
various ways in which a person development in girls and growth of
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UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

facial hair in boys), and changes in both of mucous membrane and

voice (for boys, the voice deepens). of cutaneous skin.
o Hormonal Changes: Hormones, such  These regions favor acute
as estrogen and testosterone, increase perception.
in production, causing physical  These specific sites of acute
changes and affecting emotions and sensation are the genital
behavior. regions including the prepuce,
o Emotional Changes: Puberty is often penis. The female external
accompanied by emotional changes as genitalia (vulva), the perianal
individuals navigate new feelings and skin, lips, and nipples.
social interactions. It can bring mood
swings, increased interest in romantic
relationships, and a sense of self- MALE
identity.  The prepuce is the retractable fold of
o Puberty marks the transition from skin covering the tip of the penis.
childhood to adulthood and is a natural  Penis, the male erectile organ of
and necessary part of human copulation by which the semen and
development. It’s a complex and urine are discharged.
transformative period that varies from
individual to individual. FEMALE
 The mons pubis.
 The clitoris is small, sensitive, and
5 Stages of Puberty located in front of the opening of the
vagina.
 The labia majora are larger outer lips
NAA SA LIBRO PAGE 71 – 73 or folds around the vagina.
 The Labia minora, the inner lips or
folds.
Erogenous Zones  Vaginal introitus is the opening that
 The term erogenous zones describe leads to vaginal canal.
areas of the body that are highly  The hymen is a membrane that
sensitive to stimuli and are often (but surrounds or partially covers the
not always) sexually exciting. external vaginal openings.
 In this context, “highly sensitive” means Both MALE and FEMALE
these areas of the body have a high  Perianal skin refers the area of the
number of sensory receptors or nerve body surrounding the anus, and in
endings that react to stimuli. particular, the skin. It is also susceptible
 The skin serves as primary erotic to injury and damage.
stimulus. Two types of erogenous  Lips are soft, movable, and serve as
zones exist in the skin. the opening for food intake and in the
1. Nonspecific type articulation of sound and speech. Also
 it is similar to any other portion used in kissing and other acts of
of the usual haired skin. intimacy.
 The pleasurable sensation felt  Nipples are the raised regions of tissue
from these regions is simply an on the surface of the breast. A recent
exaggerated form of tickle. study found that the sensation from the
 Ex. of this type of skin are the nipples travels to the same part of the
sides and back of the neck, the brain as sensations from the vagina,
axilla (armpit, underarm) and clitoris, and cervix.
the sides of the thorax (chest).
2. Specific type
 It is found in the What is the sexual response cycle?
mucocutaneous regions of the - The sexual response cycle refers to the
body, or those regions made sequence of physical and emotional
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UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

occurrences when the person is sense of well-being; intimacy is

participating in sexually stimulating enhanced; and often, fatigues set in.
activity such as intercourse or  With further sexual stimulation, some
masturbation. women can return to the orgasm
phase. This allows them to
Phase 1. Excitement experience multiple orgasm.
 Muscle tension increases.  Men, on the other hand, need
 Heart rate quickens and breathing is recovery time after orgasm. This is
accelerated. called the refractory period. How long
 Nipples become hardened or erect. a man needs refractory period varies
 Swelling of the woman’s clitoris and among men and his age.
labia minora (inner lips), erection of
the man’s penis.
 Vaginal lubrication begins.
 The man’s testicles swell, his scrotum
tightens, and he begins secreting a ROLES OF THE BRAIN IN SEXUAL
lubricating liquid. ACTIVITY
1. The brain is responsible for
Phase 2. Plateau translating the nerve impulses
 The woman’s clitoris becomes highly sensed by the skin into pleasurable
sensitive (may be even painful to sensations.
touch) and retracts under the clitoral 2. Controls the nerves and muscles
hood to avoid direct stimulation from used in sexual activities.
the penis. 3. Sexual thoughts and fantasies is
 The man’s testicles are withdrawn up theorized to lie in the cerebral cortex,
into the scrotum. the same area used for thinking and
 Breathing, heart rate and blood reasoning.
pressure continue to increase. 4. Emotions and feelings (which are
 Muscle spasms and may begin in the important for sexual behavior) is
feet, face, and hands. believed to originate in the limbic
 Tension in the muscle’s increases. system.
5. The brain releases the hormones
Phase 3. Climax / Orgasm considered as the physiological origin
 Shortest of the phases and generally of sexual desire.
lasts only a few seconds.  Hypothalamus is the most
 Involuntary muscle contractions important part of the brain for
begin. sexual functioning. The pituitary
 Blood pressure, heart rate and gland secretes the hormone
breathing are at the highest rates, with produced in the hypothalamus for
a rapid intake of oxygen. sexual activity.
 There is a sudden, forceful release of  Oxytocin – also known as the
sexual tension. “love hormone” and believed to
 In women, the muscle of the vagina be involved in our desire to
contract. The uterus also undergoes maintain close relationships. It is
rhythmic contractions. released during sexual
 In men, rhythmic contractions of the intercourse when orgasm is
muscles at the base of the penis result achieved.
in the ejaculation of semen.  Follicle-stimulating hormone
 A rash or “sex flush” may appear over (FSH) – responsible for ovulation
the entire body. in females. The National Institute
of Environmental Health
Phase 4. Resolution Sciences in Durham, N.C
 The swelled and erect body parts discovered that sexual activity
return to its previous size and color. was more frequent during a
This phase is marked by a general woman’s fertile time.
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UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

 Luteinizing hormone (LH) – the your object of affection.) and

LH is crucial regulating the testes serotonin (thought to cause
in men and ovaries in women. In obsessive thinking.
men, the LH stimulates the testes 3. Attachment (commitment)
to produce testosterone. In  Involves the desire to have
males, testosterone appears to lasting commitment with
be a major contributing factor to your significant other. At this
sexual motivation. point, you may want to get
 Vasopressin – is involved in the married and/or have children.
male arousal phase. The
increase of vasopressin during
erectile response is believed to THE PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECT OF
be directly associated with SEXUAL DESIRE
increased motivation to  Sexual desire is typically viewed as an
engage in sexual behavior. interest in sexual objects or activities.
 Estrogen and Progesterone – More precisely, it is the subjective
typically regulate motivation to feeling of wanting to engage in sex.
engage in sexual behavior for  Sexual desire is sometimes, but not
females, with estrogen increasing always, accompanied by genital
motivation and progesterone arousal (penile erection in men and
decreasing it. vaginal lubrication in women).
 Sexual desire can be triggered by
private thoughts, feelings, and
Three stages of falling in love which are fantasies, erotic materials (such as
driven by hormone: books, movies, photographs), and a
- According to anthropologist Helen variety of erotic environment,
Fisher situations, or social interactions.
1. Lust (erotic passion)
 Is marked by physical
attraction. You want to seduce What is the difference between Sexual
and be seduced by your object Desire and Sex Drive?
of affection.  Sex drive represents a basic,
 Is driven by testosterone in biologically mediated motivation to
men and estrogen in women. seek sexual activity or sexual
 Lust, however, will not gratification.
guarantee that the couple will  Sexual desire represents a more
fall in love in any lasting way. complex psychological experience that
2. Attraction (romantic passion) is not dependent on hormonal factors.
 You begin to crave for your
partner’s presence. You feel
excitement and energetic as Factors that influence the notable gender
you fantasize about the things difference on sexual desire include:
you could do together as a 1. Culture (religious taboo)
couple. Three chemicals 2. Social environment (all girls / all
trigger these feelings: men)
norepinephrine (responsible 3. Political situations (distribution of
for the extra surge of energy power in society)
and triggers increased heart  One of the most notable gender
rate, loss of appetite, as well differences on sexual desire is that
as the desire to sleep. Your women place great emphasis on
body is in a more alert state interpersonal relationships as part of
and is ready for action), the experience.
dopamine (associated with  Males, on the other hand, enjoy a more
motivation and goal-directed casual (lack of seriousness) sexual
behavior. It makes you pursue behavior.
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UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

born with a mix of male and female

biological traits that can make it hard for
Physiological Mechanisms of Sexual doctors to assign them a male or
Behavior Motivation female sex; and asexual or a person
 Amygdala is the integrative center for who is not interested or does not desire
emotions, emotional behavior, and sexual activity.
motivation.
 Nucleus accumbens (also referred to
as the pleasure center) plays a role in Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
motivation and in the cognitive Issues
processing of aversion.  Sex is a label – male or female – that
you’re assigned by a doctor at birth
based on the genitals you’re born with
The Diversity of Sexual Behavior and the chromosomes you have. It
 Sexual orientation is defined as an goes on your birth certificate.
individual’s general sexual disposition  Gender is not determined biologically,
toward partners of the same sex, the as a result of sexual characteristics of
opposite sex, or both sexes. either women or men but is constructed
 Sexual orientation is a person’s socially.
emotional and erotic attraction toward
another individual.
 Researchers now generally believe that
lesbian, gay, and bisexual orientations
are characterized by persistent and
intense experiences of same-sex Sociocultural Factors
desire that are stable overtime.  Sociocultural factors influence the
 Gender identity refers to one’s sense various issues related to sexual
of being male or female. Generally, our orientation and gender identity.
gender identities correspond to our  In the Philippines and most of
chromosomal and phenotypic sex, but Southeast Asia, heterosexuality is the
this is not always the case. This is how norm.
you consider yourself.  In Thailand they recognize more than
two categories – male, female,
LGBTQ+ kathoey.
 L > LESBIANS are exclusively  A kathoey is an individual who would
attracted to women. be described as transgender in
 G > GAYS are males who are Western cultures.
exclusively attracted to other males.  In New Guinea, young boys are
 B >BISEXUALS are expected to engage in sexual
sexually/romantically attracted to both behavior with any other boys for a
men and women. given period of time because it is
 T >TRANS/TRANSGENDER is an believed that doing so is necessary for
umbrella term for people who do not these boys to become men.
identify with the gender assigned to
them at birth.
 Q > QUEER, it is a useful term for those Family Influence
who are questioning their identities and  Children’s interests, preferences,
are unsure about using more specific behaviors and overall self-concept are
terms, or those who simply do not wish strongly influenced by parental and
to label themselves and prefer to use a authority figure teachings regarding
broader umbrella term. sexual stereotypes.
 + > The plus is there to signify that
Urban Setting
many identities are not explicitly
 A study showed that large cities seem
represented by the letters. This
to provide a friendlier environment for
includes intersex or people who are
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UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

same-gender interest to develop and 6. Ectoparasitic infections these are

be expressed. These cities have infectious disease caused by
venues where people with specific parasites such as lice or mites
sexual orientation socialize and transmitted through sexual
become support group (ex. Beauty contacts. Two of these common
salons, gay bars) STD’s are pubic lice and scabies.
Pubic lice is a parasite called
Rural Setting v=crab louse that live on the pubic
 Existing literature showed challenges hair. Scabies are caused by mites
for LGBTQ+ in rural living: that live on the skin.
1. High levels of intolerance
2. Limited social and institutional
supports
3. Higher incidence of social isolation

History of Sexual Abuse

 Studies claimed that abused
adolescents, particularly those
victimized by males, are more likely to
become homosexual or bisexual in
adulthood.
 These studies were criticized as
nonclinical (did not involve experience
of treatment of patients) and unreliable.

Common Sex Diseases

 STD are diseases transmitted from one
person to another through sexual
intercourse such as vaginal, anal, and
oral sex as well as genital touching and
the use of “sex toys”.
 The most common STDs that may
affect women of all age and
background are:

1. Chlamydia is parasitic bacterium

that can cause pregnancy problems
for women when left untreated.
2. Gonorrhea is caused by a
bacterium passed from one person
to another through unprotected
oral, anal, or vaginal sex.
3. Genital herpes is caused by a virus
that infects the skin, mouth, mucous
membranes of the genitals, and the
rectum.
4. Genital warts are caused by a
virus characterized by rough, wart-
like growths.
5. Syphilis is a dangerous and life-
threatening bacterial disease as it
could affect other vital organs such
as heart, spine, and brain.