Understanding the Self

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the understanding of the self, addressing various perspectives, theories, and methods of learning relevant to psychology and identity.

What shapes people according to the biological perspective?

The biological perspective emphasizes that innate, natural, and biological factors such as genetics, brain structure, hormones, and physiological processes are the primary determinants of human behavior, personality, and development.

What is the focus of the nurture perspective?

The nurture perspective focuses on how an individual's behavior, personality, and development are predominantly shaped by external environmental factors, learning experiences, upbringing, social interactions, and cultural influences rather than innate predispositions.

What does identity refer to?

Identity refers to the distinguishing characteristics or qualities that define an individual, often shaped by how others perceive, categorize, and label them based on cultural background, social roles, group affiliations, and ascribed labels. It represents the external, socially constructed aspect of who a person is.

What is the self according to the lecture?

The self, as distinct from identity, refers to the internal sense of who one is: the unique personal experience and perception of one's own character, consciousness, existence, and individuality. It encompasses how one truly sees and experiences oneself, including one's inner thoughts, feelings, and beliefs.

What are the four dimensionalities of the self/identity?

The four key dimensionalities influencing the self and identity are:

• Social Factors: How interactions with others, social roles, and group memberships shape one's sense of self.

• Personality Factors: Enduring traits, characteristics, and patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving unique to an individual.

• Environmental Factors: The influence of one's physical and social surroundings, including culture, experiences, and learning.

• Hereditary Factors: The genetic and biological predispositions inherited from one's parents that contribute to physical and psychological attributes.

What did Socrates believe about the self?

Socrates believed that the self is synonymous with the soul (psyche), which he considered immortal and distinct from the physical body. For Socrates, the true self is rational and moral, and its primary purpose is ethical living and the pursuit of knowledge through self-examination.

What is Plato's view on the self?

Plato expanded on Socrates' view, proposing that the self is an intellectual, immortal soul, separate from the body, and composed of three parts:

• Reason: The divine essence that enables thought, wise judgment, and controls the other parts.

• Spirit: The emotional part that drives ambition and honor.

• Appetite: The desire-driven part for physical urges.
  He believed that true identity lies in the rational and immortal soul, striving for truth and goodness in the World of Forms.

What does Aristotle argue about essence?

Contrary to Plato, Aristotle argued that the 'essence' or true nature of an object, including the self, is not found in a separate, ideal realm but is inherent within the object itself, actualized through its form and matter. He believed that the soul is the form of the body, inseparable from it, and that knowledge is gained through sensory experience and observation of the natural world.

What is empiricism in relation to knowledge?

Empiricism is the philosophical theory that all knowledge is primarily derived from sensory experience. Proponents believe the mind is a 'tabula rasa' (blank slate) at birth, and all ideas, concepts, and beliefs are acquired through interaction with the environment and empirical observation, rather than being innate.

What is rationalism?

Rationalism is the philosophical theory asserting that reason is the primary source of knowledge, independent of sensory experience. Rationalists believe that humans possess innate ideas or principles that allow them to acquire certain truths through logical deduction, introspection, and reasoning, without relying solely on empirical observation.

What does psychoneuroimmunology study?

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is an interdisciplinary scientific field that studies the interaction between the psychological processes (thoughts, emotions), the nervous system, the endocrine system, and the immune system. It explores how psychosocial factors can affect health and disease resistance by influencing these interconnected bodily systems.

What is the concept of self-awareness?

Self-awareness is the conscious knowledge and understanding of one's own character, feelings, motives, and desires. It involves the ability to recognize oneself as an individual, and to reflect on one's internal states, thoughts, beliefs, emotions, and behaviors, and how they impact oneself and others.

What is behaviorism?

Behaviorism is a school of thought in psychology that emphasizes the study of observable behavior and its environmental determinants, largely disregarding internal mental states. It posits that all behaviors are acquired through conditioning (classical or operant) and that psychological disorders are best treated by altering behavioral patterns through learning principles.

What does the biological self represent?

The biological self refers to the physical and physiological aspects of an individual that are shaped by both genetic inheritance (biology) and environmental influences. This includes one's physical appearance, bodily sensations, genetic predispositions, brain structure and function, and overall physiological processes that contribute to one's sense of being a living, embodied entity.

What are the three types of memory?

The three main types of memory, according to the Atkinson-Shiffrin model, are:

• Sensory Memory: A very brief storage of sensory information (e.g., sights, sounds) for a fraction of a second, allowing perception to be continuous.

• Short-Term Memory (Working Memory): Holds a limited amount of information for a short period (around 15-30 seconds) and is actively processed.

• Long-Term Memory: Stores vast amounts of information for extended periods, from minutes to a lifetime, and includes declarative (explicit) and non-declarative (implicit) memories.

What is Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences?

Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences proposes that intelligence is not a single, monolithic ability but rather a collection of distinct independent intelligence types. These include, but are not limited to:

• Verbal-Linguistic: Skill in language (reading, writing, speaking).

• Logical-Mathematical: Skill in problem-solving and logical reasoning.

• Spatial: Skill in visualizing and manipulating objects in space.

• Bodily-Kinesthetic: Skill in using one's body (e.g., dancers, athletes).

• Musical: Skill in musical performance and composition.

• Interpersonal: Skill in understanding and interacting with others.

• Intrapersonal: Skill in self-awareness and understanding one's own feelings.

• Naturalistic: Skill in recognizing and categorizing natural phenomena.

What is reciprocal determinism?

Reciprocal determinism, a concept proposed by Albert Bandura, describes the mutual influence between an individual's behavior, personal factors (e.g., cognitive abilities, beliefs, self-efficacy), and environmental influences (e.g., social norms, opportunities, external stimuli). These three components do not operate independently but continually interact and shape one another.

What does self-efficacy refer to?

Self-efficacy refers to an individual's belief in their own capacity to execute behaviors necessary to produce specific performance attainments. It reflects confidence in the ability to exert control over one's own motivation, behavior, and social environment, influencing whether individuals attempt challenging tasks, how much effort they put in, and their persistence in the face of obstacles.

What are the two strategies students can use for learning?

Students can employ two primary learning strategies:

• Deep Learning: Involves actively engaging with the material to understand underlying meanings, make connections between concepts, and critically analyze information. It leads to better comprehension, retention, and the ability to apply knowledge in new contexts.

• Surface Learning: Focuses on memorizing facts, rote learning, and reproducing information without necessarily understanding its deeper meaning or making connections. It is often driven by a desire to fulfill minimal task requirements and often results in poorer long-term retention and limited application ability.