Intellectual Revolutions that Defined Society

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the major figures and concepts of the Scientific Revolution, Darwinian evolution, Freudian psychoanalysis, and Mesoamerican science.

The Scientific Revolution

Period of enlightenment when developments in mathematics, physics, astronomy, biology, and chemistry transformed society's views.

Nicolaus Copernicus

Polish astronomer who proposed the heliocentric model (sun-centered universe) and challenged the geocentric (Earth-centered) view.

Charles Darwin ($1809–1882$)

Most influential contributor to thoughts about evolution and author of The Origin of Species ($1859$).

Natural Selection

Theory presented by Charles Darwin stating that nature selects favorable traits for the survival of species.

Overproduction

A concept of Natural Selection where organisms produce more offspring than can survive.

Struggle for Existence

Competition for survival caused by the limitation of food and space.

Survival of the Fittest

A concept of Natural Selection where those individuals best adapted to their environment survive.

Speciation

The formation of new species over time as a result of evolution.

Galapagos Tortoise

Species observed by Darwin with short legs and necks on low shrubbery islands, and long legs and necks on islands with taller vegetation.

Marine Iguana

Species found only on Galapagos with longer claws to grip rocks, dark skin for camouflage, and a strong tail for swimming.

Finch

Species studied by Darwin whose beak size and shape depend on diet, such as short broad beaks for crushing seeds.

Sigmund Freud

Founder of Psychoanalysis, the study that explains human behavior.

Id

The impulsive (unconscious) part of the psyche that responds directly to basic urges, needs, and desires.

Ego

The part of the id modified by the direct influence of the external world, identified by Freud in $1923$.

Superego

The part of the psyche that incorporates values and morals learned from parents; develops around age $3–5$ during the phallic stage.

Conscious

The level of consciousness representing what we are thinking about or experiencing at any given moment.

Preconscious

The level of consciousness containing what we can readily call to mind, such as memories and knowledge.

Unconscious

The largest level of consciousness, which contains thoughts, desires, and impulses of which we are not aware.

Oral Stage

Psychosexual stage occurring from ages $0–2$ where gratification is found through activities like feeding and thumb sucking.

Anal Stage

Psychosexual stage occurring from ages $2–3$ where the individual learns bowel and bladder control.

Phallic Stage

Psychosexual stage occurring from ages $3–7$ where the individual learns differences between males and females.

Latency Stage

Psychosexual stage occurring from ages $7–11$ where sexual urges are relatively quiet.

Genital Stage

Psychosexual stage occurring from age $11$ to adulthood where the adolescent learns to deal maturely with the opposite sex.

Mesoamerica

Region home to advanced civilizations like the Maya, Aztec, and Olmec who contributed to mathematics, astronomy, and agriculture.