Comprehensive Self-Theories: Philosophical, Sociological, and Psychological Perspectives

What is the main focus of philosophy according to the notes?

Understanding the self to achieve self-knowledge, happiness, and a meaningful life.

What does Socrates mean by 'An unexamined life is not worth living'?

It emphasizes the importance of self-examination and introspection for a meaningful life.

According to Socrates, what are the two realms of existence?

The Physical world (temporary, imperfect) and the Ideal world (eternal, perfect).

What is the goal of the soul according to Socratic philosophy?

Wisdom and perfection.

What is Plato's view on the self?

The self is an immortal soul, which is part of the ideal world.

What are the three parts of Plato's Tripartite Soul?

Appetite (desires), Spirit (emotions), and Reason (controls appetite and spirit).

What is the relationship between justice and happiness in Plato's philosophy?

Justice and happiness are achieved through harmony when Reason rules.

What is Aristotle's definition of the soul?

The essence of life, with all living things possessing a soul.

What are the three kinds of soul according to Aristotle?

Vegetative (growth), Sentient (sensations), and Rational (intellect, unique to humans).

What is the ultimate goal of life according to Aristotle?

Eudaimonia, or a flourishing life, achieved through virtue.

How does St. Augustine's philosophy combine Plato and Christianity?

He views the soul as higher than the body, naturally united, and emphasizes knowing God as knowing self.

What is René Descartes' famous philosophical statement?

I think, therefore I am.

What does Descartes mean by dualism?

The distinction between the non-material, immortal thinking self (soul) and the material, temporary physical body.

What is John Locke's concept of the self?

The self is consciousness formed by experiences, with key traits of consciousness and memory.

What does David Hume argue about the self?

There is no permanent self; it is only a bundle of perceptions and experiences.

What is Immanuel Kant's view on the self?

The self organizes experiences into a coherent whole and constructs its own reality.

How does Sigmund Freud describe the self?

As multilayered, consisting of conscious, unconscious, and preconscious levels.

What principle guides the conscious and unconscious levels of self according to Freud?

The pleasure principle (unconscious) versus the reality principle (conscious).

What is Gilbert Ryle's perspective on the self?

The self is a pattern of behavior, rejecting dualism and asserting that mind and body are one.

What does Paul Churchland argue about the self?

The self is inseparable from the brain and body, supporting eliminative materialism.

What philosophical quote is associated with Gilbert Ryle?

I act, therefore I am.

What is the principle associated with Descartes regarding the self?

I think, therefore I am.

How does Paul Churchland define the self?

The self is inseparable from the brain and body, supporting eliminative materialism.

What does Maurice Merleau-Ponty argue about the self?

The self is embodied subjectivity, inseparable from lived experience of mind, body, and world.

What is Socrates' view of the self?

The self is the soul; introspection is essential, and the unexamined life is not worth living.

How does Plato conceptualize the self?

The self is an immortal soul, where reason controls appetite and spirit, related to the Theory of Forms.

What is Aristotle's definition of the self?

The self is the essence, consisting of vegetative, sentient, and rational aspects, aiming for eudaimonia.

What does St. Augustine say about the self?

The self is the soul united with the body; knowing God equates to knowing oneself.

How does Locke define the self?

The self is defined by consciousness and memory, described as a tabula rasa.

What is Hume's perspective on the self?

Hume argues that there is no self, only perceptions.

What does Kant believe about the self?

The self constructs reality using reason.

How does Freud categorize the self?

The self consists of conscious, preconscious, and unconscious elements.

What is Ryle's definition of the self?

The self is behavior, summarized by the phrase 'I act, therefore I am.'

What is the key idea of sociology regarding the self?

Sociology studies how relationships and social interactions shape the self.

How does the self develop according to Charles Horton Cooley's Looking-Glass Self?

The self develops through how we think others see us, involving three steps: imagining appearance, judging by others, and developing self-image.

What are the potential problems with the Looking-Glass Self?

Self-concept may be distorted if we misinterpret others' views, potentially leading to low self-esteem.

What does George Herbert Mead say about the self?

The self is a product of social interaction, consisting of two parts: 'I' (active, spontaneous) and 'Me' (socialized aspect).

What are Mead's three stages of self-development?

1. Preparatory Stage (0-3 years): Imitation without understanding. 2. Play Stage (3-5 years): Role-playing and understanding significant others. 3. Game Stage (8-9 years): Understanding multiple roles and societal norms.

What characterizes the self in modern society according to Gerry Lanuza?

Individuals have the freedom to define their identity, not bound by traditions, but face risks like alienation and difficulty in finding an authentic self.

How does postmodern society shape identity according to Jean Baudrillard?

Identity is shaped by consumption and status symbols, leading to endless desire and self as a hungry consumer.

What is an example of postmodern identity consumption?

Buying an expensive phone for status and wanting a new one when a more prestigious model is released.

How does anthropology study the self in relation to culture?

Anthropology studies the self as embedded in culture, shaped by shared meanings, symbols, traditions, and practices.

What is the relationship between culture and self according to anthropology?

Culture and self are complementary; without culture, there is no self, and without people, there is no culture.

What are the two main influences on personality and identity in anthropology?

Nature (biological basis) and nurture (social and cultural environment) influence personality and identity.

What is the holistic approach in anthropology?

A holistic approach integrates both nature and nurture in understanding the self.

How did Edward Tylor define culture?

Culture is a 'complex whole of knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, customs, and habits acquired by man as a member of society.'

What role does culture play in shaping self-concept?

Culture provides patterns of ways of life that influence self-concept.

What is Martin Sökefeld's view on the self?

The self is a human universal that must be studied in conjunction with culture.

What distinguishes egocentric self from sociocentric self?

Egocentric self is autonomous and independent, while sociocentric self is dependent on social roles and relationships.

How do Americans typically view the self according to Robbins (2012)?

Americans typically value independence and assertiveness, viewing the self as an autonomous individual.

What is the sociocentric view of self in Japanese culture?

In Japanese culture, the self is defined by group membership, valuing restraint and interdependence.

What are the universal and variable features used to construct social identity?

Universal features include kinship, gender, and age; variable features include ethnicity, socioeconomic status, appearance, and religion.

How does personal naming relate to identity?

Names legitimize personhood and social identity, with cultural practices influencing naming conventions.

What are the three phases of rites of passage according to Arnold van Gennep?

The three phases are separation (detaching from old role), liminality (transition phase), and incorporation (recognition of new status).

What is the purpose of rites of passage?

Rites of passage help individuals adjust to new social roles.

What is an identity struggle?

An identity struggle is a conflict between self-claimed identity and others' perceptions.

What constitutes an identity crisis?

An identity crisis occurs when values or norms clash due to politics, ideology, or external pressures.

What is the concept of the postmodern self according to Katherine Ewing?

The postmodern self is not fixed; it is continuously reconstituted due to internal and external stimuli.

What does Clifford Geertz mean by culture as a symbolic system?

Geertz describes culture as 'webs of significance spun by humans,' serving as control mechanisms that shape behavior.

What is the illusion of wholeness in the context of the self?

The illusion of wholeness suggests that the stability of the self is an illusion, as it is constantly changing.

What does Golubovic (2011) suggest about the postmodern man?

Golubovic suggests that the postmodern man must 'work on yourself,' echoing the Socratic principle of knowing oneself.

How does language function as an identity marker?

Language is crucial in defining group identity, influencing how individuals relate to their cultural context.

What is the significance of naming rituals among the Aymara Indians?

Among the Aymara Indians, a child is considered 'human' only after being named in a ritual at around two years old.

What is the relationship between culture and human nature?

Culture and human nature are inseparable; without men, there is no culture, and without culture, there are no men.

What is central to human life according to the notes?

Meaning-making is central to human life, shaped by society.

What stage is adolescence characterized by?

Adolescence is a stage of building self-concept, identity, and integration of multiple selves.

What does self-awareness mean according to Carl Rogers?

Self-awareness is the awareness of one's uniqueness, strengths, and weaknesses.

What is the goal of self-awareness and integration?

The goal is to integrate different aspects of the self to achieve a coherent identity.

What are the two components of William James' concept of self?

I-Self (Thinking Self/Pure Ego) and Me-Self (Known Self/Experienced Self).

What does the Material Self include?

The Material Self includes the body, possessions, and physical attributes.

What is the Social Self according to William James?

The Social Self refers to how one appears and acts in different social groups, representing multiple selves.

What does the Spiritual Self encompass?

The Spiritual Self encompasses values, morals, and inner purpose.

What are the two aspects of Carl Rogers' Self Theory?

Real Self (who you actually are) and Ideal Self (who you want to be).

What is congruence in Carl Rogers' Self Theory?

Congruence occurs when the Real Self closely matches the Ideal Self, leading to satisfaction.

What is incongruence and its effect?

Incongruence is a mismatch between the Real Self and Ideal Self, leading to anxiety and unhappiness.

What is the ultimate goal of Carl Rogers' Self Theory?

The goal is self-actualization, or the fulfillment of potential.

What distinguishes Multiple Selves from a Unified Self?

Multiple Selves refer to different roles in different contexts, while a Unified Self represents coherence among these roles.

What is the True Self according to Winnicott?

The True Self is the authentic self expressed with close family and friends.

What is the False Self?

The False Self is a role used to impress or protect oneself in social situations.

What is Albert Bandura's view on humans?

Humans are proactive agents, not passive beings.

What are the core qualities of agency according to Bandura?

Intentionality, Forethought, Self-Reactivity, Self-Reflection, and Self-Efficacy.

What is self-efficacy?

Self-efficacy is the belief in one's ability to succeed, affecting optimism, motivation, and self-regulation.

What are archetypes in Carl Jung's theory?

Archetypes are universal models in the collective unconscious.

What are the major archetypes identified by Carl Jung?

Persona (social mask), Shadow (hidden side), Animus/Anima (masculine/feminine sides), and Self (central archetype).

What are the three structures of personality according to Sigmund Freud?

Id (instinctual drives), Ego (rational mediator), and Superego (morality).

What are the stages of psychosexual development according to Freud?

Oral, Anal, Phallic, Latency, and Genital stages.

What is Erik Erikson's view on identity formation?

Identity formation is lifelong, with each stage presenting a crisis to resolve.

What are the stages of psychosocial development according to Erikson?

Trust vs. Mistrust, Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt, Initiative vs. Guilt, Industry vs. Inferiority, Identity vs. Role Confusion, Intimacy vs. Isolation, Generativity vs. Stagnation, Integrity vs. Despair.