Self-Concept in Eastern & Western Philosophies with Brain and Behavior Foundations

Confucianism

Teaches ethical conduct & proper behavior in relationships.

Goal of Confucianism

Harmony in society; self is tied to community.

Subdued self

Personal needs are set aside for group welfare.

Taoism

Live in harmony with the Tao (universe).

Principles of Taoism

Rejects strict rules; prefers balance and selflessness.

Self in Taoism

Self = part of nature, not just family.

3 Treasures of Taoism

Compassion, Frugality, Humility.

Buddhism

Focuses on suffering, death, and rebirth.

Goal of Buddhism

Nirvana (freedom from suffering).

Noble Eightfold Path

Path to Nirvana: right view, resolve, speech, conduct, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, concentration.

Western Thought

Focus: Individualism, equality, rationality.

Characteristics of Western Thought

People are independent individuals.

Communication in Western Thought

Open communication with authority (e.g., calling bosses by first names).

Eastern vs. Western Comparison

Eastern: Group-focused, spiritual, holistic; Western: Individual-focused, logical, scientific.

Nature (Biology / Inborn Traits)

Charles Darwin - Theory of Evolution: Species survive by natural selection (adaptation).

Attachment Theory

John Bowlby - Babies are biologically programmed to bond with caregivers for survival.

Hierarchy of Needs

Abraham Maslow - Human needs: physiological → safety → love → esteem → self-actualization.

Classical Conditioning

Ivan Pavlov - Learning by association (dog salivates at sound of bell).

Operant Conditioning

B.F. Skinner - Learning through consequences (reward & punishment).

Behaviorism

John Watson - Studied observable behavior (Little Albert experiment → phobia creation).

Social Learning Theory

Albert Bandura - People learn by observing others (Bobo doll experiment).

Ecological Systems Theory

Urie Bronfenbrenner - Behavior shaped by environment levels: microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem, chronosystem.

Neuron Parts

Dendrites - receive messages; Axon - sends signals; Myelin sheath - protects axon & speeds signals; Terminal buttons - send messages to next neuron; Soma (cell body) - contains nucleus.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Brain + Spinal Cord.

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Nerves outside brain & spinal cord.

Somatic Nervous System

Controls voluntary movements.

Autonomic Nervous System

Controls involuntary actions.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Responsible for fight/flight (stress).

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Responsible for rest/digest (calm).

Forebrain

Higher thinking, emotions (cerebrum, thalamus, hypothalamus).

Midbrain

Sensory relay (tectum, tegmentum).

Hindbrain

Basic survival (cerebellum, pons, medulla).

Frontal Lobe

Movement, reasoning, speech (Broca's area).

Parietal Lobe

Touch, spatial awareness, body sensation.

Occipital Lobe

Vision.

Temporal Lobe

Hearing & language (Wernicke's area).