GEC 1 Understanding the Self (Module 4: The Physical Self) - General Education subject - CHED-based (for College level)

1. GEC 1 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF
Module 4 (Week 7)
 The Physical Self
Prepared by: Nancy Jane D. Victorino, RPm, LPT

2. DISCUSSION
CILO (Course Intended Learning Outcome/s):
 Understand the biological concept of our physical selves.
 Analyze the impact of culture on body image and self-esteem.
 Understand the concept of diversity in beauty.

3. I. Biological Determinism
Biological determinism, also called
biologism or biodeterminism, the
idea that most human
characteristics, physical and
mental, are determined at
conception by hereditary factors
passed from parent to offspring.
https://i1.wp.com/velivada.com/wp-
content/uploads/2020/04/oppression.jpg?fit=1024%2C576&ssl=1
Although the theory has been
scientifically discredited, the idea that
differences between people are
based in biology still persists in
various forms

4. II. How Culture Affects Body-Image and Self-
Esteem
Body image is a multi-dimensional
construct; however, the tools used to
assess body image in research often
focus on body weight or shape. This
can be limiting when trying to
understand body image and ethnicity,
as people from different groups have
different body ideals. Concerns
around body image may not always
fall into the categories of body weight
and shape. For instance, some
concerns may be around skin tone,
hair texture or size and shape of
facial features.
Body dissatisfaction or feeling
negatively about appearance or
abilities is a common experience
across different racial and ethnic
groups.
https://image.freepik.com/free-vector/overweight-people-illustration-cartoon-flat-man-
woman-model-characters-wearing-casual-clothes-standing-row-plus-size-guy-girl-smiling-
cute-body-positive-persons-set-isolated-white_213110-532.jpg

5. Asia’s Beauty Standards
While the West has made conscious strides in
highlighting the vicious, self-perpetuating cycles
that hamper body image and speak openly about
dispelling beauty standards, Asia is still coming
around to acknowledging the need for body
positivity.
Taking a glance at how media, pop culture and
social media touch upon body image and body
positivity in Asian culture, you’ll notice the
conversation is quite small. When it is spoken of,
there lies a tinge of ‘aversion towards larger
bodies’ and an invisible line of thinness or fatness
that should not be crossed. It’s easy to pick up on
these cues with the way bodies are spoken of,
celebrated or chastised.
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/bf/91/26/bf912630491261477034cac
f0fe229a0.jpg

6. The Philippines
The Philippines tends to lend a stronger voice to body positive advocacy than most of their
Asian counterparts, even though it still needs more substantial body positive framework like the
rest of this region. However, there are still issues that needs attending.
https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iaX99GomnzQ/Wy-
B3lFdjbI/AAAAAAAAass/0nDkwJKlVsMiEzDr5_laWrN5s-
nGwjoeQCLcBGAs/s1600/PHILIPPINES%2BBEAUTY%2BSTANDARD%2BCHINITA.jpg
https://arts3047.files.wordpress.com/2019/10/glutamax-ad.jpg

7. Let’s Talk About the Media
A World Health Organisation survey found that nearly 40 per cent of women polled in nations including
China, Malaysia, the Philippines and South Korea said they regularly used whitening products.
The multibillion-dollar skin-whitening market in China, Malaysia, the Philippines and South Korea is
rooted in unrealistic beauty ideals.
However, a push to embrace darker skin and more Asian-seeming features over Eurocentric beauty
standards is picking up in the region.
https://www.sapiens.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/04-
IMG_0845_compressed.jpg
https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-
ABU9ikeP9RA/VkmiinbZDGI/AAAAAAAAA_A/dXd
QkjHTvF0/s1600/IMG_20151005_204229.jpg
http://images.summitmedia-
digital.com/preview/images/articles/2016/01/29/whitening-products/nm-
whitening-products.jpg

8. Research Paper: Rendering Whiteness Visible in the Filipino
Culture through Skin Whitening Cosmetic Advertisements (2006)
Paper by: Beverly Romero Natividad
Western colonization has hindered Filipinos from developing a genuine cultural identity by institutionalizing
whiteness in the Filipino culture. Whiteness, a discursive practice that reinforces the symbolical association
of a white skin tone with superiority, distracts Filipinos from recognizing cultural diversity and immobilizes
Filipino women and the working class from resisting oppression.
https://ecowarriorprincess.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Why-Asia-is-Obsessed-with-White-
Skin-and-Whitening-Products.jpg
https://cdn.i-
scmp.com/sites/default/files/styles/og_image_scmp_series/public/d8/images/methode/2020/04/2
0/3507c1cc-544f-11ea-8948-

9. III. Why Understanding and Embracing Diversity is
Important
Research Paper: Diversity and Representation within the Cosmetics Industry: The Psychological
and Societal Impacts of the Representation of Minorities
By: Manna Zelealem
Because the cosmetics industry tends to set the
standard of beauty in society, the lack of
representation of racial and/or ethnic minorities
in the beauty industry can have psychological
impacts on minority consumers. These impacts
are to the point where their perceptions of
beauty have been skewed to exclude
themselves as a result of not seeing themselves
represented in advertisement campaigns and
product releases by major cosmetics
companies. In this lack of representation,
consumers’ self-perception, self-esteem, and

10. III. Why Understanding and Embracing Diversity is
Important
Diversity is everywhere, but the focus and
understanding of what diversity means varies across
countries and regions. Over the years, laws to promote
diversity and discourage discriminations has included
women, minorities, people with disabilities, and the
LGBTQIA+ community.
In nature, every ecosystem requires a number of different
plants, animals, and organisms in order to grow and
flourish. When it comes to surviving and thriving, the
earth and its creatures need diversity. If diversity is a
necessary part of nature, then it only makes sense that
people need diversity in their communities. Diversity
inspires cultural growth and makes society richer. When
a community has people of different backgrounds,
beliefs, and skills, each person is able to contribute their
https://miro.medium.com/max/1200/1*gNGX0_yOPZCGDJp4WnZs4A.jpeg

11. References:
 CoulBiological Determinism; https://www.britannica.com/topic/biological-determinism; 03/09/21
 Body Image and Ethnic Background; https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/body-image-
report/ethnic-background; 03/09/21
 Rendering Whiteness Visible in the Filipino Culture through Skin Whitening Cosmetic
Advertisements; https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3991&context=etd-project;
03/09/21
 Here’s Why the Body Positive Movement Hasn’t Reached Asia Yet;
https://wearyourvoicemag.com/body-image-body-positive-movement-southeast-asia-asia-pacific/; 03/09/21
 Diversity and Representation within the Cosmetics Industry: The Psychological and Societal
Impacts of the Representation of Minorities;
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwj0jo
eD-
qLvAhUUyosBHZaDDbcQFjAMegQIBBAD&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdigitalcommons.lmu.edu%2Fcgi%2Fviewc
ontent.cgi%3Ffilename%3D0%26article%3D1137%26context%3Dhonors-research-and-
exhibition%26type%3Dadditional&usg=AOvVaw0tDSZc7pOUhQQj03ekM0iR; 03/09/21
 Diversity is Beautiful. Here’s Why; http://thedreamcatch.com/diversity-is-beautiful-heres-why/; 03/09/21
 The Beauty of Difference: Thoughts on Diversity; https://www.mindfueldaily.com/livewell/the-beauty-of-

12. https://www.pngitem.com/pimgs/m/480-4800234_thank-you-stylish-words-png-no-background-calligraphy.png