Lesson 4: Political Self

Description of the lesson

This lesson presents the aspect of the self in the aspect of being a citizen of a
nation. Aristotle state that “man is by nature a political animal”. Thus, being politics and
its systems have an impact of who we are as individuals.
As member of the society, we are naturally obligated to participate in a political
system as social citizens. Every political issue that has happened or is currently
happening in the country creates an impact towards the development of the self.

Politics. A social institution through which power is acquired and exercised by people
and groups.
Citizenship. The most basic identification with the nation.

Introductory Activity 4

Instruction: In the space below, write/draw/describe any Political issue that has
happened for the last five years or is currently happening right now in the Philippines.
Put labels and a short description of this political issue.

20
Reflective Questions: Answer the following debriefing questions. Write your answers
on the space provided.
1. How do you think did this Political issue affect the Philippines?
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
_-
____________________________________________________________________________________________
2. How do you think does this Political issue affected who you are?
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________

UNDERSTANDING POLITICS
Before we delve into how we could identify our political selves, we should first
understand first politics. In Kendall’s (1998) definition, politics is a social institution
through which power is acquired and exercised by people and groups.
Aristotle posits that man by nature is a political animal and that politics is an
important part of the human development as it promotes ideologies about democracy,
citizenship, human rights, freedom, family, health, and other social issues.

Moreover, politics exists in all human societies and it serves

as the mechanism by which a person develop power and
understand proper functioning of a society as a citizen.
Citizenship is the most basic identification with a nation
and as a citizen, a person enjoys full civil and political rights
including protection inside and outside of the state.

POLITICAL SELF AND IDENTITY

For some people, politics is a central component of their identity. The community
where a person belongs to offers an opportunity for them to define themselves. The
political self of a person organizes self-relevant information about politics. The political
self helps in defining the structure and functions of the government, in telling and
understanding the relationship between the state and its citizens, and in describing the
rights, freedoms, and obligations as citizens.

21
In the Philippines, what do you think are some of our basic rights?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

One component of the political self is identity which is the understanding of who
and what he or she is. The political self is often defined by citizenship. From the
perspective of sociology and psychology, the individual’s claim to citizenship means that
the person relates himself/herself to a group of others who also see themselves as a
part of a state.
The institutions that influence the values of citizenship are the following:

FAMILY CHURCH SCHOOL

MEDIA GOVERNMENT DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS

The political self is also in part defined by the reference to other members in the
political group or community where one belongs. What about you? Do you fully see
yourself as a Filipino Citizen? Why or why not?
The political self and identity are developed through socialization. It is
developed through the ways people learn the knowledge, norms, values, motives, and
roles appropriate to their positions in a group or community. Furthermore, it is through
social interaction that people learn the status, duties, rights, and powers necessary to
interact successfully with other people in the group or community.
Throughout life, as an
individual meet new people and join
new group, the political self is
influenced and modified by the
opinions, comments, and suggestions
of other people. Take note: your
political self is different from other
people. You may share the same views
politically or you see social issues in a
certain way, but remember, each of us
have different political selves and this
is because we have different
experiences and socializations.

22
THEORIES OF POLITICAL SELF
There are several theories of the political self; social leaning theory and theory of
symbolic interaction.
I. Social Learning Theory
According to this theory, a person acquires learning through observing behaviors
and imitating them. Observation and imitation is important in a process called political
socialization. Through this, individuals gain knowledge about politics. As a person goes
on with his or her life, the interactions he or she makes with other people significantly
influences a person’s understanding of politics. This understanding would then be
incorporated into their picture or idea of their political self.
Example:
Anna’s friends strongly believe that the government should be transparent in its
transactions and thus voice out their opinions about it. Anna in return realizes that what
her friends are fighting for are right. She now then also fights for government
transparency.
In this example, Anna observes what her friends do and belief with regards to
how the government should be. Due to this Anna develops a belief in her own self
imitating the beliefs of her friends. Have you experienced the same? Seeing or observing
other people’s political ways and belief and imitating them?
II. Theory Of Symbolic Interaction
This theory suggests that behaviors are products of communication, meaning,
and symbols. People give meanings to symbols and they express these meanings
through language and communication.
Example:
Elsa is a minor. Every 8 in the evening, the siren wails signifying that minors are not
anymore allowed to go out of their houses. When the siren wails, Elsa would bid goodbye
to her playmate Olaf because she should already be on her way home because of the
curfew.
In this example, Elsa has become accustomed to follow the siren’s call for curfew.
Thus, certain symbols have been conditioned in her to follow specific protocols. Another
example would be seeing STOP signs or arrow signs when getting towards a direction.
Just like the images, the moment we see them, we
instantly remember the places where they belong,
which is generally of course, in the Philippines.
Growing up, we have associated these signs to have
a meaning. The specific symbols, sounds, images
that have been related to certain rules and
regulations creates meanings for us as we continue
to encounter different people in the society.
In conclusion, the political self is shaped from the early years of development
and is continually shaped by the influences of people and symbols around them.

23
APPLICATION
Name: _________________________________________ Course, Year & Section:
_______________________
Directions: There are images shown below that depicts different political/societal
issues in the country. Provide you understanding of the issues and answer the following
questions.

CORRUPTION

FAKE NEWS
1. What can you do as an individual to combat this issues? Describe and explain.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. With the issues shown above and all other issues present in the Philippines, how
will a young person like you be able to initiate change in the society? Explain.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

24
 Lesson 5: Digital Self
Description of the lesson
The rise of technology brought massive changes in the society and the lives of
every individual. One of these changes is the emergence of internet and long distance
communication. The rise of different software applications that makes our lives easier
are becoming a necessity.
This lesson examines the role of technology and the internet in shaping an
individual’s self, with the emphasis on the use of social media platforms and
memberships in virtual communities. This section highlights the crucial role of the
internet in forming the self and identity of future generation.

Introductory Activity 5
Instruction: In every statement shown below, choose whether you agree or disagree
with it. Encircle your answer from the 2 options.
1. Personality can be manifested through social media.

2. It is impossible to establish meaningful relationships on social media.

3. How one presents himself/herself on social media is the same with how he/she
presents to the real world.

4. Technology influences how people relate with one another.

5. People can develop a digital identity.

Reflective Question 1:
Are people different from social media than in real life? Why or Why not?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

25
THE DIGITAL SELF

The use of the digital technology has become a part of the self – the digital self.
The digital self is the aspect of the self that is expressed or shared with others through
online interaction on the internet, specifically social networking sites. On these social
networking sites, its users normally share their personal information such as their
name, age, birthdate, address, and contact details. Other users even share some very
personal information like their hobbies, likes, dislikes, favorites, thoughts, and feelings.
This sharing of information is closely tied to the desires of adolescents for social
approval and acceptance. Same can be said for adults as well.
Social Media is defined as the
websites and applications that make it easier
to create and share information, ideas and
interests. It allows people to create other
forms of social expression via communities
and networks. These sites are most often our
extension of who we are. These websites are
where we show our digital self.
Because this is thru online, there may be times that we alter or hide parts of
ourselves to the people we interact in Social Media. This concept is called Online
Disembodiment. This is the tendency for people to act differently in social media than
in face to face interaction.
Have you experience being emotionally tired and getting sad and posting what
you feel in Facebook or Twitter? But as you are posting those, you appear happy and
having a good mood in front of your family and friends? If yes, then that’s an example of
online disembodiment. Other examples for this would being very talkative and sociable
in social media yet shy in person. There are numerous examples for this one actually
and we get to notice that not at all times, how we feel in person is how we show it in
social media or vice versa. Thus, we create something we call as an Online Identity.
This identity is the “self” that we show in social media. The behavior, language,
character, mood etc that we show with a specific people that we interact with in social
media (i.e. Friends in Facebook; Followers in Twitter/Instagram). There are 2 types of
Online Identity:
1. Personal Online Identity
- Personality attributes of an individual which are not shared with other
people. This identity is about choosing parts of who you are and not showing
it in social media. For instance, you would hide that you’re suffering from a
disease, or you’re choosing to hide being negative emotions etc.

2. Social Online Identity

- Attributes that you only show in a specific group/community. This identity is
choosing certain parts of you that you show in a specific community. For
instance, how you are in Facebook may be different when you’re in Tiktok.

26
 You may be very assertive in Twitter but very apathetic in Instagram. This
identity lets you choose to invent your own self in a specific social
networking site.

Since we have different online identities

and we get to choose what side of identity we show
in Social Media, we tend to have Online
Disinhibition Effect. This is the likelihood to
engage in behaviors that we would not do in real
life situations.
People feel safer saying things online which
they would not say in real life because they have
the ability to remain completely anonymous and
invisible behind the computer screen. Somehow,
these factors contribute to bridging social gaps and
expressing oneself in a way that will not do in face-
to-face interaction.
There are 2 categories of Online Disinhibition Effect:
1. Benign Disinhibition – Occurs when people tend to self-disclose more on
the internet than they would in real life. With the help of Internet
anonymity, people could share personal feelings or disclose themselves in
the way they are reluctant to do in real life. The online disinhibition effect
also provides chances to express themselves for people who are unwilling to
communicate in the real world, like people who are introverted, shy, socially
phobic and individuals with a stutter or impaired hearing.

2. Toxic Disinhibition – represents an increased tendency towards online

trolling and inappropriate behaviors. These often contain hostile language,
swearing, and even threats. This type of online disinhibition is often shown
when using rude language, bully or threaten others on online platforms.

The use of internet and social media sites has both positive and negative
outcomes. The use of internet can improve one’s relationship through easier ways of
communication. It can also be an important facility to express opinions, needs, and
suggestions. However, it is also through this that identity theft, false information, and
fake news are able to circulate. For this, most users of social networking sites prefer to
be anonymous and may sometimes use false names. Always remember, always use
things in moderation, including being in social media. Also, it is best to manage how we
are online.
MANAGING RESPONSIBLE ONLINE BEHAVIOR

1. Do not post or send anything that will embarrass you

2. Avoid posting statements when experiencing strong
emotions
3. Do not hang out with the “wrong crowd” online or
offline.
4. Be careful with oversharing, especially confidential
information that may be used irresponsibly.
5. Respect other people in the online community. 27
APPLICATION
Name: _________________________________________ Course, Year & Section:
_______________________
Directions: Open any of your social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram,
Tiktok etc.). Review your posts and screen capture those that you think show benign
and toxic online disinhibitions (this include shared posts). Why do you think they are
benign or toxic? Use the table below for your answers.
Posts
Why do you think they
(Write down/Describe Is it Benign or Toxic?
are benign or toxic?
what was posted)
1

Reflective Question 1:
Based on the things you post, what can you say about your online persona?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

28