Personal Development Reader - Key Vocabulary (Flashcards)

A set of 10 vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from the Personal Development notes.

Self-concept

The awareness of oneself, including the negotiation between the ideal self and the actual self; alignment between these two leads to mental well-being, while incongruence causes distress.

Ideal self

The self one aspires to be; an idealized image formed from learning, mentors, parents, culture, and society.

Actual self

The self one truly is; built from self-knowledge and social interactions; it can be seen by others and may differ from the ideal self.

Alignment (Congruence)

The degree to which the actual self matches the ideal self; higher alignment yields peace of mind, while greater incongruence increases mental distress.

Social image

The version of yourself that others see or perceive; a reflection of how you are projected socially, which may differ from your real self.

Emotional Intelligence (EQ)

The ability to understand, use, and manage emotions to build relationships, make good decisions, and handle challenges.

Left brain / Right brain dominance

A traditional view that people favor either left-hemisphere (logical, detail-oriented) or right-hemisphere (creative, holistic) thinking, influencing preferred tasks and problem-solving styles.

Neuroplasticity / Brain growth

The brain’s ability to grow and form new connections with practice and learning, leading to stronger cognitive skills over time.

The Story of the Two Wolves

Cherokee parable about an inner battle between negative and positive impulses; the wolf you feed determines your thoughts, feelings, and actions.

Genogram

A graphical family tree used to map family relationships and patterns across generations, helping analyze emotional and behavioral influences.