Understanding the Self

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts from the 'Understanding the Self' lecture notes.

Self

A fundamental concept referring to one's identity, encompassing physical, psychological, and social dimensions.

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)

A self-replicating material present in nearly all living organisms, serving as the carrier of genetic information.

Neurophilosophy

A field that explores the relationship between the brain and the mind.

Psychoneuroimmunology

A discipline describing the interplay between psychological processes, the nervous system, and the immune system.

Self-awareness

The conscious knowledge of one's own character, feelings, motives, and desires.

Self-concept

An individual's perception of their own attributes, including appearance, behavior, and personality.

Behaviorism

A theory that emphasizes the study of observable behaviors and the role of environmental conditioning.

Social Cognitive Theory

A theory positing that behavior is a function of both the environment and learned internal attributes.

Humanistic Perspective

An approach emphasizing individual potential, self-actualization, and the inherent goodness of each person.

Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

A psychological theory outlining the stages of human motivation, culminating in self-actualization.

Sociology

The study of collective human behavior, focusing on social problems within society.

Anthropology

The study of humans, their ancestors, social relations, and cultural artifacts over time.

Political Science

The study of individuals' participation in governance and the factors influencing political behavior.

Economics

The analysis of production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services and their impact on values and identity.

Physiological Sciences

Fields studying biological factors affecting human development.

Social Sciences

Disciplines that explore human behavior in societal contexts.

Maurice Merleau-Ponty

aimed to unite idealism with empiricism; we are our bodies; attempted to incorporate the physical and psychological aspects of the self.