CSTC COLLEGE OF SCIENCES TECHNOLOGY AND

COMMUNICATION, INC.
CSTC College Bldg. Gen. Luna St. Maharlika Hi-way, Pob. 3, Arellano Sub.
Sariaya Province of Quezon R4A
Registrar’s Office: 042 3290850 / 042 7192818
CSTC IT Center: 042 7192805
Atimonan Contact Number: 042 7171420

SCHOOL OF TEACHER EDUCATION

Instructional Module in Understanding the Self

Preliminaries
I. Lesson Number 5
II. Lesson Title Who Am I in the Cyberworld?: Digital Self
III. Brief Introduction We create large and permanent data trails each day that
of the Lesson contain important encoding, decoding and gene expression
attributes. We are doing this both consciously and explicitly, and
subconsciously and indirectly.
People are acting differently when they're online and offline.
We've got our true identity and our online identity.
IV. Lesson Objectives At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
1. define online identity
2. compare the real identity versus online identity
3. describe the influence of internet on sexuality and
gender
4. create an output about becoming a responsible Internet
user and demonstrating values and attitudes online

Lesson Proper
I. Getting Started
Watch Out!
Watch the video attentively and answer the questions in connection to the said video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtw3muffGd0

1. What is the video all about?

2. What is the advantage and disadvantage of being online?
3. Why do you think is the video entitled “Disconnected”?
4. How can we say we are truly connected with the real world?

II. Discussion
The sensation of an inner self and an outer “self” provided the desire to expose oneself in a
convincing manner to others. University professor and author Lionel Trilling's (1997)
analysis of “self” literature and its relationship with others distinguished sincerity and
authenticity.
I, Me, Myself, and my user ID Online Identity
Digital Self is the self that generally constructed online.

Self-Presentation
People are able to present themselves online the way they want to. Research suggests that
self-presentation tends to be superficial in nature. A study found that students and non-
students between 18 and 39 years of age were more likely to disclose their interests online
than their beliefs and feelings (Attrill & Jalil, 2011). This constrains the feedback that one
receives, and affects one's self.
The basic kinds of people you interact with online are:
1. People you do not know at all;
2. People you know both online and offline and;
3. People you know only online
 CSTC COLLEGE OF SCIENCES TECHNOLOGY AND
COMMUNICATION, INC.
CSTC College Bldg. Gen. Luna St. Maharlika Hi-way, Pob. 3, Arellano Sub.
Sariaya Province of Quezon R4A
Registrar’s Office: 042 3290850 / 042 7192818
CSTC IT Center: 042 7192805
Atimonan Contact Number: 042 7171420

Selective Self-Presentation and Impression Management

The behavior of self-presentation is intended to create, alter, or maintain an impression of
ourselves in the minds of others. Whenever we try to lead people to think of us in a
particular way, we engage in self-presentation.

Why do people engage in self-presentation?

Self-presentation helps to facilitate social interactions. It enables individuals to achieve
material and social rewards and helps people build their desired identities in a private way.
Social media platforms are generally used for social browsing, social search,
communication, and impression management.
Impact of Online Interactions on the Self
In 1998, one of the first Internet use studies found that Internet use in general greatly
influenced social relationships and involvement in offline group life (Kraut, 1998). The study
showed that a reduction in contact with family members was caused by the more time spent
online.

Hyperpersonal Model is a theory that implies the benefit of computer-mediated

communication that a person can change his or her self-presentation, which in effect
positively affects self-impressions; therefore, it is possible to have greater intimacy. Social
Networking has been identified as addictive. During the drug / alcohol / nicotine abstinence
syndrome, some regular users who have suddenly stopped online social networking were
observed to show signs and symptoms that at least partially mimic the others. Examples of
these signs include:
- Anxiety -Insomnia - Restlessness
- Irritability - Headaches - Poor concentration
- Depression - Social isolation

Private vs. Public Self

Social scientists have provided various interpretations of the 'private' and 'public' concepts.
Understanding the difference between these concepts will help you study the "self."
Private. The prevalent concept of "private" among social psychologists refers to
mental experiences in a person that are essentially non-observable by others.

Possible Advantages of Making Your Possible Risk of Making Your Online

Online Profile Public Profile Public
1. It facilitates open communication 1. It opens up the potential for
which could lead to better and faster hackers to commit fraud and
discovery and delivery of launch spam attacks and viruses.
information. 2. This increases the risk of people
2. It targets a large audience, making it falling victim to scams online that
a useful and efficient platform for seem legitimate, leading to data
increasing your network of friends. or identity theft.
3. It helps to extend market research, 3. It can potentially lead to negative
execute marketing strategies, feedback and bashing.
distribute updates, and direct those
interested to relevant websites.
 CSTC COLLEGE OF SCIENCES TECHNOLOGY AND
COMMUNICATION, INC.
CSTC College Bldg. Gen. Luna St. Maharlika Hi-way, Pob. 3, Arellano Sub.
Sariaya Province of Quezon R4A
Registrar’s Office: 042 3290850 / 042 7192818
CSTC IT Center: 042 7192805
Atimonan Contact Number: 042 7171420

Public. What social psychologists regard as "public" are behaviors that are open to
other people's observations.
Advantages of A Private Profile Disadvantages of A Private Profile
1. You have control over viewers. You 1. Your network is limited; you are
only have to connect with those closing your doors to the
you want to communicate with. opportunities social networking
2. Your online profile is secured provides.
against scammers and bashers. 2. If you are an entrepreneur, your
private profile will not help your
business grow.

Individual vs, Social Identity

Personal (individual) identity is the concept that you develop about yourself that is
evolving in the course of your life. This may include aspects of your life that you have no
control over, such as where you have grown up or the color of your skin.
Social identity is the sense of the person who is based on the membership(s) of the group.
They believed the communities to which people belonged were a significant source of pride
and self-esteem.
Characteristics of Personal Identity Characteristics of Social Identity
 Emphasis is placed on the  The focus is on what the person
individual. has in common with the members
 It is created by differences in of his or her group.
personal characteristics when  It is created on the basis of
comparing oneself to another. similarities with others.

Gender and Sexuality Online

The Internet plays an important role in defining our culture, our beliefs and our values.
Children and young people who are in the process of forming opinions and attitudes about
norms and acceptable behavior, as well as about sexuality, are most susceptible to the
influence of the Internet. Attitudes, behavior and roles towards women, men, and the
LGBTQ+ community are strongly influenced by Internet content.
Stereotype is a fixed, overgeneralized assumption about a specific group or class of
individuals (Cardwell, 2014). The use of stereotypes is a means of simplifying the social
world. It's assuming that one person's characteristics and abilities are also present in all
group members.
Sexuality as a developmental issue is present throughout the life cycle, but it is especially
relevant during adolescence. Adolescents have to adapt to their sexual growth, particularly
their increased sexual drive, interest in sex and the challenge of building up their sexual
selves.
Factors that affect an adolescent’s sexuality:
1. Hormones. The sexual desire of an adolescent has a great deal to do with the
hormones. The brain controls puberty by producing hormones that travel through the
bloodstream to various organs.
2. Personality or temperament. It is a significant psychological element which also
 CSTC COLLEGE OF SCIENCES TECHNOLOGY AND
COMMUNICATION, INC.
CSTC College Bldg. Gen. Luna St. Maharlika Hi-way, Pob. 3, Arellano Sub.
Sariaya Province of Quezon R4A
Registrar’s Office: 042 3290850 / 042 7192818
CSTC IT Center: 042 7192805
Atimonan Contact Number: 042 7171420

decides on sexual attitudes.

3. Social or environmental factors that facilitate sexual learning and determine

adolescent sexual behavior include:
 Attitude of parents toward sexuality
 Parenting style
 Peer relationship and
 Cultural influences
4. Media and the Internet. The media coverage and the Internet have grown
exponentially worldwide. Access to them by teenagers can easily include literature
relating to sexuality, sexual abuse, and violence that influence their understanding
and attitudes towards sexuality.

Setting Boundaries to Your Online Self: Smart Sharing

The following tips will allow you to share information smartly online, protecting yourself and
not hurting others. Before posting or sharing anything online, consider as follows:
 Is this post/story necessary?
 Is this post truly beneficial? Is it funny, warm-hearted, teachable- or do I just make
noise without purpose online?
 Is it proper? Does that remain within the boundaries of our family values?
Will this seem as funny in 5, 10, or 15 years? Or is this post better suited for sharing with a
small group of family members? Or maybe not at all?

III. Application
Directions: In a short bond paper write an essay about the advantage and disadvantages
of being online. Kindly follow the format below.

Title: Advantage and Disadvantage of Being Online

Paragraph 1: My online Self (Describe yourself in the digital world)
Paragraph 2: Advantages and Disadvantages (Make sure that you give your own
experiences to justify the things you will write here)
Paragraph 3: Things to do to be safe online (Give the important things you should
remember to be safe while being online)

CRITERIA POINTS
Content 12
Organization of Ideas 8
Relevance to the Theme 6
Originality 4
TOTAL 30
 CSTC COLLEGE OF SCIENCES TECHNOLOGY AND
COMMUNICATION, INC.
CSTC College Bldg. Gen. Luna St. Maharlika Hi-way, Pob. 3, Arellano Sub.
Sariaya Province of Quezon R4A
Registrar’s Office: 042 3290850 / 042 7192818
CSTC IT Center: 042 7192805
Atimonan Contact Number: 042 7171420

IV. References
Brawner, D.G. & Arcega, A.F.(2018). Understanding the Self.Quezon City, Philippines: C &
E Publishing, Inc.
Gutierrez-Ang, J. (2018). Understanding the Self. Manila, Philippines: Mindshapers Co., Inc.
Otig, V.S., Gallinero W.B., Bataga, N.U., Salado, F.B. & Visande, J.C.(2018) A Holistic
Approach in Understanding THE SELF. Malabon City, Philippines: Mutya Publishing
House Inc.

Prepared by:

LYNNEL L. NIEGAS, LPT

Instructor

Reviewed by:

JOHN MARC R. MENDOZA,

PhD, MLIS
Program Head, School of Teacher
Education