Chapter 2 ​Self-Awareness and Values

Development ​Objectives:
1. To differentiate self-awareness and values development
2. To enhance self-awareness integrated with values development among the
youth 3. To deepen one’s personal values become good citizens of the community
Lesson 2.1 The Concept of Self

“Know thyself and to thy own self be true”, says Socrates. The noblest and most intricate
project of man is knowing himself or becoming aware of himself.
Self-awareness ​is defined as understanding what is important to you, understanding how you
experience things, knowing what you want, knowing how you feel, and knowing how you come
across to others (Weisinger,1998).
Definition of Self-Concept

Self-Concept ​is the image of who and what a person is in relation to himself/herself and to
others. This refers to the attitudes, feelings, moods, and behaviors one project in
himself/herself vis-à vis the world. It is the totality of what and who a person is, including
his/her strengths and limitations, abilities and inabilities, and capabilities and incapabilities-the
totality of what you are in place and time.
One should find it easy to answer the following questions.

● ​How do I see myself?

● ​How do other people see me?
● ​What am I really without the judgment and labels attached to what I do and failed
to do?
Aspects of the Self

The word is composed of different human beings, each with unique qualities and
capabilities, which at times are hard to fathom and understand. Man is mysterious. The more
other people know about him, the more they cannot understand him. People know so much
about others, talk about others in relation to themselves but the rest about others is hidden or
foreign to them. In other words, people know man only through relationship, encounter and
observation.
A. Johari Window’s of the Self

1. The Hidden Self or Private Self (I Know-Others Don’t Know)

 This represents one’s own thoughts, motives, interests, plans, ideas, and
activities reserved to him/her alone and are independent from the influences of others. Other
people can predict one’s future actions but no one can read what truly resides in his/her mind
and what you can actually do or is planning to do.
2. The Open Self or Social Self (I Know-Others Know)

This represents all the information a person knows about himself/herself and what other
people know about him/her as he/she associates, relates and communicates with them. It
includes a person’s behavior, attitudes, moods, feelings, desires, motivations and ideas that
he/she is aware of and others are aware of as he/she communicates and associates with them.
This is the “easy-go-lucky” aspect of oneself where there are no strings attached to one’s
actions and relationship with other people.
3. The Blind Self or Public Self (I Don’t Know-Others Know)

This represents a person’s mannerisms or unguarded moments visible to others

which he/she is not aware of. These are the things a person does which, because of some
factors and circumstances, he/she is not aware and in control of.
4. The Unknown Self or Mysterious Self (I Don’t Know, Others Don’t Know)

This represents the things that will happen to a person in the future. It refers to
the things that happen to someone which he/she is not in control of in spite of his/her plans,
preparation and wariness. It is the aspect of life that refers to uncertainty and hopeful longing
for the future. To avoid dismay and frustrations, one has to be open-minded in order to accept
with courage and confidence any eventuality that might come to life.
B. Eight Aspects of Man and their Corresponding Values

1. Man as a Physical Being

Man has to maintain his image and dignity, thereby maintaining wholeness and
self-esteem. The uniqueness and individuality must be kept up through the value of integrity
inherent in one’s physical aspect. As a physical being, man is clothed with the value of integrity.
Hence, in the pursuit of sustenance, growth, and self-preservation, one’s integrity should always
be kept in mind.

Values Identification: Integrity: Wholeness and Self esteem.

Man is clothed with honor and dignity. Psalm 8 says, “What is man that you should be
mindful of him, mortal man that you care for him, you have made him little less than a god,
with honor and glory you crowned him putting all things under his feet.” In the attainment
and realizations of man’s physical well-being and to uphold this integrity, it is important for
man to be aware of his self-esteem and his spirit of wholeness in relation with the rest of the
world to avoid selfishness and greediness.
 2. Man as a Psychological Being
Man is not only flesh. He is also endowed with feelings, attitudes and emotions.
One of the basic needs of man for survival is affection. Man needs to be complemented: a pat
on the shoulder, a push, and a feeling of self-worth to inspire him and keep him going. The
feeling of acceptance, that someone is with worth and importance, is a “condition sine qua
non” for man to function efficiently and effectively. As a psychological being, man is expected
to safeguard the value of prudence and self-control. In his desire to be accepted and to attain
the feeling of self worth and self satisfaction, man has to maintain the value of prudence and
self-control.

Values Identification: ​Prudence

​The value of prudence is the sense of propriety and moderation which can be achieved by
practicing self-control and self-discipline. As a psychological being, it is man’s duty and
responsibility to maintain balance and equilibrium in his relationship with other people.
Actions, motives and feelings that go extreme are dangerous. In one’s desire to be accepted
and become worthwhile a human being, proper decorum, decency and respectability must be
imminent in a person’s relationships and dealings with others to uphold prudence and self
control.

3. Man as a Moral Being

Man, as the only being endowed with intellect and will know what is right and what is
wrong, is required to do what is right at all times. As a moral being, man has a sense of
judgment in relationship to the goodness and wrongness of his conduct through the aid of his
conscience. He must know the distinction of ​human acts and acts of man​. Man’s actions must
always correspond to and be guided by the following:
● ​Sense of right and wrong​- a good action must be done and bad action must be avoided ​●
Sense of guilt​- a bad action done leaves a sense of remorse and feeling of hardness ​●
Conscience​- an inner voice reminding us to do right action at all times; advises a person to
avoid bad action while he/she can.
● ​A moral being must maintain the value of dignity
Values Identification: ​Purity
​An intellectual being maintains the value of purity through the practice of
wholesomeness, uprightness, and righteousness by being modest and decisive in his
actions, thoughts and motives.
5. Man as an Emotional Being
man’s outward and inward reaction to the changes in the stimulus presented to him is
manifested in his facial expression. Such changes in attitude and behavior are called emotion.
Any stimulus presented to an individual generates a feeling of like or dislike, agreement and/or
disagreement in the person which determines his mood or disposition, attitudes and behavior.
Man as an emotional being maintains the value of maturity and temperance. Without such
value man’s life becomes a problem.

Values Identification: ​Maturity

​A mature and temperate man is always wary and cautious in his judgment, attitude and
disposition towards the world. The practice of tolerance and sensitivity is a must coupled with
self-discipline and self-control. A philosopher reminds us to “suspend our judgment” until we
are sure that the truth prevails. To be sensitive, man must have sympathy, compassion and
understanding with forbearance. Such manifests true maturity and temperance necessary to
hone man’s emotion.

6. Man as a Social Being

No man is an island and no one lives alone. Man as a relational being-man can only be
happy when with other people. The word relational comes from the words: “re” that means
“again” and “laetare” that means “to be happy”. In simple words, relational means “to be
happy, only with others.” Man’s relationship with others is coupled with duty and
responsibility. Men do not just relate and communicate with others but are obliged to help one
another in the attainment of progress and development. Each is charged to be each other’s
keeper. A social being needs the value of responsibility in relating with his fellow human beings.

Values Identification: ​Responsibility

​When God asks Cain, “Where is your brother?” his answer to the Lord’s query is, “Am I my
brother’s keeper!” The answer is devoid of responsibility, accountability, and answerability.
St. Paul clearly states our duty and responsibility when he said, “We are responsible for each
other, and we are gathered by God to be united to him.” Social justice demands respect and
responsibility; it demands commitment and sense of responsibility. Every activity a person
does, affects other people-the reason for us to become responsible in our every conduct.

7. Man as an Economic being

 ​ oney is evil but is a necessary evil. It is a fact that any activity and program cannot be
M
done without the financial aspect of it. We should be mindful of the words of St. Paul,
“he who does not work should not eat.” Man has to toil in order to live; maintain
financial stability in order to fulfill other concerns. Man should be productive and self
reliant, but not to the expense of others. At the same time, production and accumulation
of wealth should not be paramount as if it is the only concern a person has. As an
economic being, a man should imbibe the value of contentment. To love and be
contented with what a man should have.

Values Identification: ​Contentment

​The value of contentment is based on the idea of self-satisfaction and self
gratification-that man cannot have everything he wanted. It means loving and being
satisfied with what you have non desiring more than what you need. Read the
following story. A businessman saw a man lying on a tree and said, “Why don’t you go
out fishing instead of just lying and doing nothing?”
“I have already caught enough fish,” the fisherman replied.
The businessman said, “If you go out fishing, you catch more fish. If you catch more
fish, you can sell more. If you sell more you can buy a bigger banca and catch more
fish. Then you will be rich and you will be contented.”
The fisherman replied, “What do you think I am doing”
Contentment is not having more but being satisfied with what you have. The value of
contentment can be achieved through the practice of hardwork, thriftiness, and
avoidance of too much expectation.

8. Man as a Spiritual being

Man does not live by bread alone. Man’s needs do not revolve in food and
material things only. Man’s highest concern is to be with the Supreme Being—God who
created him. Man’s life is dependent on a Supreme Being—God who is totally other, all
holy and perfect. Dependence is based on one’s belief of God’s existence called ​faith​.
The value of faith or total dependence and trust in God should be the center and
culmination of man’s activity.

Values Identification: ​Faith

​The value of faith is founded in one’s belief and confidence in the presence of God.
Such faith is deepened by the practice of one’s religion and charity. As spiritual beings,
man’s hope and confidence in God’s immeasurable love should be manifested in
his/her activities and in his/her relationship with his/her fellow human beings. St.
James is so bold and honest in saying that, “Faith without works is nothing,” and a
person can have faith to move mountains but if he/she has no charity, his/her faith is
nothing. faith must then be nurtured by our practice of religion and charity.
Lesson 2.2 Values Development
A. Definition of Values

Values are standards by which people assess desirability, goodness, and beauty
that serve as broad guidelines for social living. A value refers to things, ideas, or
experiences that a person prizes, cherishes, or esteems. Thomas Andres identifies three
basic kinds of values, namely:
a. ​Idea- ​beliefs, opinions, or ways of saying things like religion, moral standards, political
ideas
b. ​Things- ​material objects, people, or places like money, friends, loved ones, or cars

c. ​Experiences- ​activities, events, actions or happenings like playing sports, listening to

music, feelings, beliefs or attitudes

​ value is something that is freely chosen from alternatives and is acted upon which
A
the individual celebrates as being part of his creative integration in his development as
a person.

B. Principles of Valuing Process

1. Choosing- Cognitive Aspect
a. ​Choosing freely​- a choice must be made by the person with his own free will
and volition
b. ​Choosing from alternatives​- a choice must be selected from several
options c. ​Choosing after due and reflective consideration of consequences ​2.
Prizing- Affective Aspect

a. ​Cherishing​- appreciating, treasuring, and attaching importance to one’s choice

b. ​affirming publicly​- one’s choice should be manifested in life; that such choice should
be the source of inspiration and joy
c. ​Prizing​- a choice to be prized must be esteemed and highly desired; given
worth and significance to one’s endeavors

3. Acting- Behavioral Patterns

a. ​Acting upon it ​– affirming one’s choice is apparent and visible through active
pursuit of its realization
b. ​Affirming it publicly ​– the thing, idea, or experience valued is mirrored by the
pattern of one’s life

When our CHOICES IS CONSISTENT WITH OUR FEELINGS AND ACTIONS, we are
said to be integrated by the value we hold.

Individual Virtues and Good habits of Living

The concept of man can also be seen in the light of his duties and responsibilities
and his relationship toward his Creator, his fellow human beings, his nation, and the
environment he ought to protect to assure the perpetuation of his race. Man by nature
is religious and his religiosity is the foundation of his hope and gives meaning to all his
activities. By himself, man cannot survive; he needs to forge himself with other human
beings to make life wholesome and worthwhile. The following are distinct Filipino
virtues and good habits of living.

1. Maka-Diyos
This is the development of one’s spiritual prowess and deepening of one’s faith in
God whom one believes in. Faith is practiced and manifested in the day-to-day life
activity by living in accordance with one’s belief, putting into action and testing the
tenets of adhered religion while accepting with much hope and confidence the trials and
challenges that come his/her way.

2. Maka-Tao
Man as the center and epitome of creation must be given preference and
attention by every human endeavor. Progress and development must center on man’s
total human enhancement, deepening of relationship, and respect of dignity
acknowledging that human beings are created equal. John Powell intelligently points
out, “We should learn to love people and use things, not to love things and use people.”

3. Maka-Bayan
Patriotism and nationalism is a sign of loyalty and dependence to sovereignty and
adherence to one’s own government. These values are manifested by our respect and
loyalty to the Filipino flag as the symbol of our liberty and integrity as a Filipino and at
the same time, develop the spirit of nationalism evident in our preference and pride of
the Filipino products.

4. Maka-Kalikasan
Man’s duty and sense of responsibility to care for Mother Earth is supreme in the
agenda of every development knowing that what we do with our environment will
greatly affect the next generation. The continuous destruction of the ecology poses a
dangerous threat to the environment and eventually to the people. Experience and
history reminds us the wrath and fury of nature when abused and misused.
Responsibility compels us to safeguard and protect nature.
Social Values ​is a complex of knowledge, attitudes and abilities that contribute to the
development of sound moral character, a sense of community and responding to the
social and cultural aspects of life.

1. Integrity​- Integrity is the sense of wholeness and self esteem. To live with pride and
confidence in the midst of other people, knowing that all men are created equal and are
created with honor and dignity.
2. Social Responsibility​- This refers to the prime obligation of a person toward others.
Responsibility is emulated in the value of “pakikisama”, “pakikisalamuha”,
“pakikipagkapwa”, “pakikibagay”, at “pakikiisa”.

3. Respect- ​it refers to one’s obligation to regard other people as co-equal and having
the same dignity. Each person is endowed with dignity that flows from the dignity of
God. Respect begets respect, thus “we must do unto others what we want others do to
us.”

4. Cooperativism​—This is the act where people from different walks of life unite forces,
resources, talents, and ideas in the achievement of a common goal and for the
betterment of their community—thus, making life easier. Truly, in union there is
strength; united we stand and we divided we fall. This has given way to the
establishment of Credit Cooperatives, Multipurpose Cooperatives and Bayanihan among
others. Example is the Nueva Segovia Consortium of Cooperatives.

5. Hospitality​—This is a Filipino custom characterized by wholehearted manifestation of

generosity, kindness, and goodness in treating visitors which is shown during different
occasions and festivities where their prime concern is to make visitors happy and
satisfied, custom and value which reflects the kind heartedness of Filipinos.

6. Social Acceptance (Human Solidarity​)— It refers to the dedication and ability to

accept and regard a person as a member of a group regardless of his situation in life.
This value is the beginning of camaraderie and friendship among people; the starting
point of openness and better working relationships.

7. Credibility and Transparency​—This is a manifestation of an honest life and trust from

other people. The absence of credibility and transparency jeopardize openness of action,
activity, and other undertakings that eventually lead to people’s disbelief and skepticism
in one’s leadership and bearing.

8. Consistency- ​it is the ability to act, judge and weigh things from the same point of
view regardless of the situation in making a firm and unyielding decision. It is the ability
to work, act, and see things without discrimination, impartiality and equality so that
one’s action and behavior will always be stable.
Internalization and Integration of Values

Internalization and Integration of values is an act of refocusing, revitalizing and

rekindling one’s social values. It is the process of owning, living and actualizing social
values according to their hierarchical order, importance and significance in the
attainment of the common good. Communal value should be given preference over
personal value having deeper meaning and significance. Internalization and integration
of values is the method of making such values alive by imbibing them and making them
workable, and eventually leading them in achievement of a deeper understanding of the
self. When a value is practiced and mirrors one’s activity and transactions, they are being
internalized and integrated.