The Material Self
UnPacking the Self
Teaching Understanding the Self
William James’ Representation of the Self
• The self can be viewed as an object of thought (being the empirical
self or “me,”) or as the subject of thought (the pure ego or “I.”)
• The dimensions of the empirical self (“me”) include the “material”
self (comprised of one’s body and such extensions of it as one’s
clothing, immediate family, and home), the “social” self (or significant
interpersonal relations), and the “spiritual” self (one’s personality,
character, and defining values).
• The pure ego (“I”), identifiable with the soul of traditional
metaphysics, cannot be an object of science and should not be
assumed to be a substance.
Original source: William James, The Principles of Psychology, Two Volumes (called “Principles”). New York:
Dover, 1950.
William James’ Representation of the Self
Material Self
Social Self
Spiritual Self
ME
Empirical Self
I
Pure Ego
DEVELOPMENTAL UNDERPINNING OF MATERIAL
SELF AND ROLE OF ATTACHMENT
• The “material” aspect of the self can be traced during the early
childhood wherein the self-concept is critically forming.
• For a young child, a cherished possession like a stuff toy, serves as
transitional object which means a supplement or replacement in the
absence of significant persons and eventually becomes a source of
comfort and security in the absence of the attachment figure or
caregiver.
DEVELOPMENTAL UNDERPINNING OF MATERIAL
SELF AND ROLE OF ATTACHMENT
• Language acquisition during the early childhood development
likewise plays a role not only to the expression of objects but also in
terms of naming, keeping, and ownership of objects leading to the
use of words such as my, mine, and yours which consequently results
to conflicts over toys as possession in the usual context of play
• This suggests that material possessions of a child become an
instrument of power and control (as who and who cannot use one’s
toys or other material object) thus reflecting one’s social significance
and possessive behavior. Hence, all these contribute significantly to
one’s self-concept, awareness, and individuality as a result of
socialization that continues until adulthood.
Possessions as Symbolic Expressions of Identity
(Symbolic Communicational Model)
There’s an observation that one’s possessions are considered a part of
oneself. They are symbols and extensions of the personal and social aspects
of her identity/personhood.
• Gifts are used to show who you are, your social status, etc.
“ This outfit is s---o you!”
“This is the perfect gift for you!”
“My ancestral land is all I am”
“I don’t want to be poor anymore”
“This is all I have and you are taking them away?”
The Role/Function of Possessions
Levi-Strauss (1965)
• Possessions do not just have value; they are not merely economic
commodities. They are also vehicles and instruments for realities of
another order:
• influence
• power
• sympathy
• social status
• emotions
Role of Possessions
Possessions may deliver/exhibit the following:
-Control and expertise (actual or impression)
-Comfort and emotional stability
-A concrete record of achievements (cf. museum)
-Past and future goals
-A souvenir of relationships (cf. mementos)
We are able to make ourselves known
through our possessions.
Other people are able to know us through our
possessions.
Pets as Extensions/Symbols of the Self
• Pets have become parts of the extended self. Pets belong to the top 5
possessions.
• Positive relationship between self-esteem and owning pets (Covert et
al, 1985)
• The dog as “co-therapist” (Levinson, 1962)
MATERIAL POSSESSIONS AS A SYMBOLIC EXPRESSION OF
ONE’S PSYCHOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE AND SOCIAL CLASS
• Social Status/Status Symbol
What does your house look like? (home as identity shell)
• What are the things that can be found in our living room?
• Are you from the upper class? Middle class? Or lower class?
However, the value and significance of the status symbol are altered
through time.
Advertisement at Consumer Goods
• Market research and advertising companies have become relevant in
what they can deliver.
• Self-image at brand-image (“We have to be among the top 4
schools…”)
• The association of the products to genders (for men or for women,
etc.)
MATERIAL POSSESSIONS AS A SYMBOLIC EXPRESSION
OF SELF-COMPLETION
Wickland & Gollwitzer, 1982, 1985
Goods and possessions are used to fill in or to compensate for the
person lacks. (E.g. Even though you are not too smart or not qualified,
so long as you wear an expensive watch, an high-class pair of shoes and
you have the latest model of cellphone.
• Reflect: Is it for real that a person would feel good about herself if she
has an expensive set of clothes? Car? Bag?
When is enough,enough for a materialistic
person?
3 Dimensions or Orienting Values (Richins, 1991)
1. Acquisition centrality : materialists tend to place possessions and
the process of acquiring possessions at the center of their lives.
2. Acquisition as the pursuit of happiness : materialists tend to view
their possessions and their acquisition as a means of providing the
materialist with some level of personal well-being or satisfaction
with their lives.
3. Possession defined success : materialists tend to base their own
and others’ success on the number and quality of possessions.
Can money really buy happiness and stability?
MATERIAL POSSESSIONS AS SYMBOLISM OF LIFE
JOURNEY
As a person grows older…
• An aging person would wish that whatever defines who she is would
stay with her—photos, jewelries, small appliances
• Sentimentality, memories of friends and experiences… photo albums
give a sense of continuity
MATERIAL POSSESSIONS AS SYMBOLISM OF LIFE
JOURNEY
And now, the end is near…
What to give or leave those who will be left behind: accentuating portions of
their personal histories for which they wish to be remembered.
3 Strategies
1.Solidifying identities – a period of intense self-reflection, heightened life
review process
2.Accumualting artifacts – objects that represent the person, her
accomplishments, talents, journeys, sentiments.
3.Distributing artifacts – wills and testaments
From early years to old age, possessions are
symbols of ourselves and of our identity.
REFERENCES
• CHED’s materials for Teaching UTS
• Lévi-Strauss, C. (1969) The Elementary Structures of Kinship. Eyre &
Spottiswoode
• Levinson, B.M. (1965). Pet psychotherapy: use of household pets in the
treatment of behavior disorder in childhood. Psychological Reports, 17(3),
695-698.
• Levinson, B.M. (1969). Pet-oriented child psychotherapy. Springfield, IL:
• Wicklund, RA & Gollwitzer, PM (1981). Symbolic Self-Completion,
Attempted Influence, and Self-Deprecation. Basic and Applied Social
Psychology. 2 (2), 89-114
• Wicklund, R. A., & Gollwitzer, P. M. (1982). Symbolic self-completion
theory. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.
• William James, The Principles of Psychology, Two Volumes (called
“Principles”). New York: Dover, 1950.
