Understanding the Self: Human Development, Eastern and Western Perspectives, the Sexual Self, and the Physical Self

Comprehensive practice flashcards covering human developmental stages, Piaget's cognitive theory, Erikson's psychosocial stages, defense mechanisms, Western and Eastern concepts of self, the sexual self, and the physical self.

Human Development

A lifelong process that involves physical, cognitive, emotional, and social changes.

Prenatal Development

The process of a fetus developing from a single cell into a fully formed baby inside the mother's womb, spanning approximately 40 weeks.

Germinal Stage

The fragile prenatal stage lasting from 0 to 2 weeks that begins at fertilization when sperm and egg unite, after which the zygote travels to the uterus and implants.

Embryonic Stage

The most critical period of prenatal development spanning 2 to 8 weeks, during which the heart, brain, and spinal cord begin forming.

Fetal Stage

The prenatal stage from 9 weeks until birth, marked by the growth and refinement of organs, fetal movement, and responses to sound and light.

Fetal Viability

The gestational milestone reached by 7 months when a fetus becomes viable and capable of surviving outside the womb.

Infancy

The childhood stage from 0 to 2 years characterized by rapid physical growth, crawling, walking, the appearance of first teeth, and sensory learning.

Early Childhood

The developmental stage from 2 to 6 years characterized by improved motor coordination, an explosion in language acquisition, and the development of imagination.

Middle/Late Childhood

The childhood stage spanning 6 to 12 years where physical growth slows, muscles strengthen, motor skills improve, and children learn to think logically about concrete events.

Adolescence

The life stage spanning 6 to 18 years old marked by puberty growth spurts, sexual maturity, and hormonal changes.

Adulthood

The developmental stage following adolescence, marked by full physical and intellectual maturity.

Early Adulthood

The adulthood stage from 18 to 40 years characterized by peak physical strength, health, fertility, mature decision-making, and problem-solving.

Middle Adulthood

The stage of adulthood from 40 to 65 years characterized by visible signs of aging, stable knowledge, and slightly slowed memory and cognitive processing speed.

Late Adulthood

The life stage from 65 years and up marked by declining health, sensory acuity, and mobility, while wisdom increases despite potential memory loss or dementia.

Piaget’s Stages of Cognitive Development

Jean Piaget's theory stating that children's thinking develops in distinct stages as they grow, with each stage building upon the one before it.

Sensorimotor Stage

Piaget's first cognitive stage (0 to 2 years) where babies learn through their senses and physical actions, developing object permanence.

Object Permanence

The key cognitive development of the sensorimotor stage wherein an infant understands that objects continue to exist even when out of sight.

Preoperational Stage

Piaget's cognitive stage (2 to 7 years) where children use symbols and language, engage in pretend play, and exhibit egocentric thinking.

Egocentric Thinking

A cognitive characteristic of Piaget's preoperational stage in which young children view the world solely from their own perspective.

Concrete Operational Stage

Piaget's cognitive stage (7 to 11 years) where children begin thinking logically about concrete, real-world events rather than abstract ideas.

Conservation (Piaget)

The understanding mastered in the concrete operational stage that the quantity of a substance does not change even if its physical appearance changes.

Formal Operational Stage

Piaget's final cognitive stage (12 years and up) where adolescents develop abstract thought, hypothetical 'what if' reasoning, scientific problem-solving, and moral thinking.

Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages of Development

Erik Erikson's theory proposing that people face a psychosocial conflict at each stage of life, the resolution of which shapes personality and social development.

Trust vs. Mistrust

Erikson's infancy conflict (0 to 1 year) where babies learn whether the world is safe and their needs will be met; success leads to trust and security, while failure leads to mistrust and fear.

Autonomy vs. Shame & Doubt

Erikson's early childhood conflict (1 to 3 years) where toddlers try to do things independently; success produces confidence, while failure results in shame and doubt in their abilities.

Initiative vs. Guilt

Erikson's preschool conflict (3 to 6 years) where children explore and initiate activities; success leads to purpose and leadership, while failure causes guilt and fear of trying.

Industry vs. Inferiority

Erikson's school-age conflict (6 to 12 years) focused on learning, school, and teamwork; success produces competence and pride, while failure results in inferiority and low self-esteem.

Identity vs. Role Confusion

Erikson's adolescent conflict (12 to 18 years) centered on exploring 'Who am I?'; success establishes a strong personal identity and direction, while failure leads to role confusion and insecurity.

Intimacy vs. Isolation

Erikson's young adulthood conflict (18 to 40 years) centered on seeking close relationships; success leads to intimate, healthy partnerships, while failure leads to isolation and loneliness.

Generativity vs. Stagnation

Erikson's middle adulthood conflict (40 to 65 years) focusing on career, family, and mentoring; success yields productivity and a legacy, while failure produces stagnation and feelings of unimportance.

Integrity vs. Despair

Erikson's late adulthood conflict (65+ years) where older adults reflect on their lives; success yields life satisfaction and acceptance, while failure leads to despair, regret, and fear of death.

Denial

A psychological defense mechanism defined as the refusal to recognize or acknowledge a threatening situation.

Rationalization

A psychological defense mechanism characterized by making up acceptable excuses for unacceptable behavior.

Projection

A psychological defense mechanism involving placing one's own unacceptable thoughts or feelings onto others.

Displacement

A psychological defense mechanism involving the transfer of emotions or behaviors from the original source to less threatening targets.

Western Self as Individualistic

A concept identified by Frank Johnson (1985) where the self is viewed as completely separate and independent from other people.

Western Self as Monotheistic

A concept identified by Frank Johnson (1985) grounded in the belief that there is only one God or Supreme Being.

Western Self as Materialistic and Rationalistic

A concept identified by Frank Johnson (1985) focusing on material possessions and favoring a rational-empirical approach over magical or superstitious explanations.

Western Self as Analytic

A concept identified by Frank Johnson (1985) based on parts-to-whole relationships, where the whole is understood only when differentiated into its constituent parts.

Western Concept of Self (David Ho, 1995)

The view that the self is an entity separate from other selves, belonging solely to the individual as a sovereign subject possessing personal control.

Pluralistic Eastern Thought (Garcia, 2013)

The perspective articulated by Garcia (2013) establishing that Eastern thought is inherently pluralistic.

Goal of Eastern Thought (Villaba, 1995)

The unifying objective among the four systems of Eastern thought identified by Villaba (1995): to teach a person how to become perfect.

Four Major Systems of Eastern Thought

The four primary philosophical systems of the East: Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism.

Brahman

In Hinduism, the supreme and ultimate reality, universal spirit, and underlying fabric representing the essence of all that exists.

Atman

In Hinduism, the inner essence, soul, or true self of a person, described as eternal, unchanging, indestructible pure consciousness.

Karma (Hinduism)

The most important doctrine of Hinduism, which dictates that an individual's actions determine the quality and circumstances of their next life.

Samsara

The ongoing cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (reincarnation) in Eastern philosophy.

Moksha

The ultimate human goal in Hinduism, defined as liberation or escape from samsara, the union of Atman with Brahman, and the complete dissolution of individual identity.

Buddhism (Etymology)

The philosophical tradition originating from the base Sanskrit word 'budh', meaning 'awake'.

Siddharta Gautama

The founder of Buddhism who taught the path to enlightenment and liberation (Nirvana).

Dukkha

The First Noble Truth in Buddhism: the truth of suffering, which states that life is full of suffering and dissatisfaction.

Samudaya

The Second Noble Truth in Buddhism: the truth of the cause of suffering, identifying desire or craving (tanha) fueled by ignorance as the main cause of suffering.

Tanha

The Buddhist term for desire or craving that fuels suffering by failing to see reality clearly.

Nirodha

The Third Noble Truth in Buddhism: the truth of the end of suffering, stating that suffering can end by letting go of desire and attachment to achieve Nirvana.

Magga

The Fourth Noble Truth in Buddhism: the truth of the path that leads to the end of suffering via the Noble Eightfold Path.

The Noble Eightfold Path

The eight-step Buddhist path to end suffering: correct view, correct intention, correct speech, correct action, correct livelihood, correct effort, correct mindfulness, and correct concentration.

Nirvana

Derived from the Sanskrit verb nirvā meaning 'to blow out' or 'to extinguish' (like a flame), representing the ultimate state of freedom from suffering, rebirth, and worldly attachments.

Silver Rule (Confucianism)

The core Confucian ethical principle: 'Do NOT do unto others what you do NOT want others to do unto you.'

Five Cardinal Relationships (Confucianism)

Confucius's foundational relational structure necessary for peace and order: Ruler-Subject, Father-Son, Husband-Wife, Elderly-Younger Brother, and Friend-Friend.

Self-Cultivation (Confucianism)

The Confucian process of knowing and acting upon one's role in order to actively improve morality, character, and wisdom.

Taoism

An Eastern philosophy based on 'The way of TAO' (following the natural flow of life), which regards the self as an extension of the cosmos.

Wu Xing (Five Elements)

The Taoist five-element system reflecting natural cycles, elements of the universe, and personality descriptors.

Yin-Yang

A Taoist concept illustrating that life is balanced by interconnected opposites: the 'bad' within the 'good', and the 'good' within the 'bad'.

Sex (Biological Definition)

The biological characteristics that define male and female, representing what an individual is born with physically.

Gender

The social and psychological roles, identities, and expressions that define how an individual identifies.

Chromosomal Sex

The biological basis of sex formed at conception when sperm and egg unite into a zygote of 46 chromosomes (23 from each parent), where XX results in female and XY results in male.

SRY Gene

The Sex-determining Region Y gene carried on the Y chromosome that triggers the formation of testes in biological males.

Primary Sex Characteristics

Internal and external anatomical organs directly involved in biological reproduction present from birth (e.g., testes, penis, ovaries, uterus).

Secondary Sex Characteristics

Physical traits appearing during puberty that signal sexual maturity, including body hair, voice changes, breast growth, muscle mass, and widening hips.

Psychological Theories of Attraction

The theories explaining interpersonal attraction, specifically the Proximity Effect, Similarity, and Reciprocal Liking.

Triangular Theory of Love

Robert Sternberg's theory stating that love combines three components: intimacy (closeness/trust), passion (attraction/desire), and commitment (decision to maintain the relationship).

Consummate Love

The ideal form of love according to Robert Sternberg, which combines all three components: intimacy, passion, and commitment.

Attachment (Bowlby & Ainsworth)

The long-term emotional bond that develops between individuals through closeness, safety, and security.

Four Attachment Styles

The attachment styles identified by John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth: Secure, Anxious, Avoidant, and Disorganized.

Sexual Orientation

An individual's enduring pattern of romantic, emotional, or sexual attraction to others (such as heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, pansexual, or asexual).

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

Infections primarily spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sexual contact, caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

A viral sexually transmitted infection that weakens the immune system and causes fever, fatigue, and weight loss, potentially progressing to AIDS.

Physical Self

The tangible aspect of identity comprising the body, physical appearance, and biological makeup that others observe and one physically experiences.

Nature vs. Nurture (Physical Development)

The debate between natural sciences (asserting behavioral traits are explained by genetics) and social sciences (asserting human behavior is learned and shaped through interaction).

Beauty (Multidimensional Definition)

A concept carrying social and psychological impacts that should not only be based on outward appearance, but also on health, confidence, kindness, and authenticity.