The Self: Its Nature, Development, and Philosophical Perspectives

Vocabulary practice flashcards based on lecture notes on the nature of self, factors influencing identity, the Johari Window, and philosophical perspectives of the self.

Self

A distinct identity which is a summation of the experiences of an individual, encompassing self-awareness, consciousness, identity, self-esteem, self-concept, ego, inner being, and the soul.

Family (in Identity Formation)

The primary source of socialization in the formation of an individual's identity.

Culture (in Identity Formation)

The shared beliefs, behaviors, and values of a group of people, which includes dimensions of collectivism and individualism.

Process of Discovering the Self

A continuous flux and unending adventure to the realms of life's complexities involving learning, re-learning, and unlearning.

Johari Window

A framework for understanding self-awareness and interpersonal relationships across four quadrants: Open Area / Arena, Blindspot, Hidden Area / Facade, and Unknown.

Open Area / Arena

The quadrant of the Johari Window containing traits and behavior known to yourself and known to others.

Blindspot

The quadrant of the Johari Window containing traits and behavior unknown to yourself, but known to others.

Hidden Area / Facade

The quadrant of the Johari Window containing traits and feelings known to yourself, but unknown to others.

Unknown (Johari Window)

The quadrant of the Johari Window containing traits, talents, or feelings unknown to yourself and unknown to others.

Etymology of Philosophy

Derived from the Greek words 'philia' (meaning love) and 'sophia' (meaning wisdom).

Socratic Method

A method of questioning formulated by Socrates that promotes critical thinking, self-reflection, and informed decision-making.

Socrates' View of Self

Posits that 'an unexamined life is not worth living', emphasizing self-reflection as essential to identity and viewing the self as an immortal soul.

Plato's Tripartite Theory of Self

Proposes that the self consists of three elements: reason (governs thought), spirit (handles emotions), and appetite (drives desires), where harmonious balance is key to understanding human behavior.

St. Augustine's View of Self

Views the inner self as a reflection of the Divine image, asserting that the search for self is an introspective, spiritual, and intellectual quest.

Mind-Body Dualism (René Descartes)

The philosophical perspective that the mind and body are distinct entities, where the mind ('I think therefore I am') is the essence of human existence.

Tabula Rasa

John Locke's concept that the mind is a blank slate at birth, acquiring knowledge and forming identity through sensory experiences, reflection, and memory.

Bundle Theory of Self (David Hume)

David Hume's theory that there is no static, fixed 'self', but rather a continuously changing collection or bundle of thoughts, feelings, and perceptions.

Immanuel Kant's View of Self

Holds that the self is an active, organizing consciousness and unifying subject that makes intelligible experience possible, and includes a Noumenal Self capable of moral action.

Id

In Sigmund Freud's tripartite division of the mind, the structure driven by unconscious impulses and desires operating on the pleasure principle.

Ego

In Sigmund Freud's tripartite division of the mind, the conscious self operating on the reality principle.

Superego

In Sigmund Freud's tripartite division of the mind, the structure governing conscience and moral principles based on societal expectations.

Repression

A Freudian defense mechanism involving the unconscious burying of distressing thoughts, memories, or feelings.

Projection

A Freudian defense mechanism where an individual attributes their own unacceptable feelings or impulses to others.

Denial

A Freudian defense mechanism characterized by refusing to accept distressing truths or realities.

Displacement

A Freudian defense mechanism involving the redirection of strong emotions from the original source to a less threatening target.

Rationalization

A Freudian defense mechanism where logical-sounding, false justifications are created to excuse irrational behaviors or thoughts.

Reaction Formation

A Freudian defense mechanism where a person expresses feelings or behaves in a manner directly opposite to their true, unconscious desires.

Regression

A Freudian defense mechanism involving reverting to immature or earlier developmental behavior patterns under stress.

Sublimation

A Freudian defense mechanism involving the channeling of unacceptable impulses into socially acceptable activities.

Logical Behaviorism (Gilbert Ryle)

The philosophical view that mental concepts are defined by outward behavioral dispositions rather than abstract, immaterial entities.

Eliminative Materialism (Paul Churchland)

The view that common-sense psychological concepts of mental states are outdated and will be superseded by purely physical brain states.

Embodied Subjectivity (Maurice Merleau-Ponty)

Maurice Merleau-Ponty's theory that the self is an embodied subject grounded in physical, bodily interactions with the world rather than a separate mind.