Scribd
Upload
31 views10 pages

Material Self

The material self, as defined by William James, encompasses all possessions and relationships that contribute to an individual's identity, including body, family, and material goods. Adolescents often struggle with self-acceptance related to their physical appearance and possessions, which can influence their self-esteem and social status. While material possessions can symbolize success and motivate individuals, an excessive focus on them may lead to negative psychological effects, such as compulsive buying disorder.

Uploaded by

Riven Xy Royuce Dela Cruz
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
31 views10 pages

Material Self

The material self, as defined by William James, encompasses all possessions and relationships that contribute to an individual's identity, including body, family, and material goods. Adolescents often struggle with self-acceptance related to their physical appearance and possessions, which can influence their self-esteem and social status. While material possessions can symbolize success and motivate individuals, an excessive focus on them may lead to negative psychological effects, such as compulsive buying disorder.

Uploaded by

Riven Xy Royuce Dela Cruz
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 10

Material

Self
According to William
James, the material self is
the:
"sum total of all that he can call his, not only his
body and his psychic powers, but his clothes and
his house, his wife and children, his ancestors and
friends, his reputation and works, his lands, and
yacht and bank-account. All these things give him
the same emotions. If they wax and prosper, he
feels triumphant; if they dwindle and die away, he
feels cast down not necessarily in the same degree
for each thing, but in much the same way for all."
A person's possessions like the body, family,
clothes, money, house, car, and other tangible
objects make up the material self.
The basic component of the material self includes
the body.
One of the tasks of adolescents is that of
accepting and appreciating the physical
characteristics of their body.
Few adolescents are able to do this successfully.
Adolescents tend to worry about their bodies and
physical appearance.
Another component of the material self is the clothes
that people wear.
Clothes represent the self.
The style and brand of clothes becomes a symbolic
significance.
The material component of the self can include books,
bed, money, car, house and other things that a person
can call his own possession.
The material components of the self also includes
people such as immediate and extended family
members (my family) as well as close friends (my
friend) that the person feels psychologically
connected
These people are likely to shape and influence the
development of self and identity.
Pets could also symbolically define a person's
identity.
A person's pet could be an expression of one's
social status, pride, and prestige.
Effects of Material Possessions

Regardless of how much or how little material


possessions people have, they are interested in material
possessions.
Possessions can be used as status symbol. Cars, house,
gadgets, and clothes are the most valuable possessions
because they are the most visible in the eyes of others.
The more expensive, the more other people are
impressed.
Material possessions can be a reflection of hard
work and success.
People tend to measure success through material
possessions.
Material possessions can make people more
motivated to work harder to achieve them.
Defining the self by material possessions can also
contribute to feelings of well-being, including a
sense of personal growth and purpose or meaning
in life.
However, lack or loss of material possessions can be
disruptive to the mental health of some people.
The strong desire for material possessions could have
negative effects.
Materialism is the importance people give on material
possessions.
Someone with a high level of materialism is called
materialistic.
A materialistic person is excessively concerned with the
acquisition of material possessions.
The strong desire for material possessions could
lead to psychological dysfunction or impairment in
functioning such as compulsive buying disorder
(CBD) which is characterized by an obsession with
shopping and buying behaviors that causes
adverse consequences (e.g., debts).
"The Material Self is a mere
shadow of the true self."
Luisa Caibigan
Milquijoy Domingo
Deziree Tangachon
Honey lee Npadawan

You might also like