Life and Career Skills: Mindfulness, Academic Success, Career Development, Digital Citizenship, and Social Dynamics

Vocabulary flashcards covering mindfulness practices, applying life skills in academic and career settings, digital literacy, and principles of social influence and interaction.

Mindfulness

Paying close attention to what is happening right now in your thoughts, feelings, and body without judging them as good or bad, and accepting them as they are.

Sati

The Pali term from which the word mindfulness is derived, referring to the awareness or attention directed toward the present moment.

Eightfold Path

The core framework in the Buddhist tradition for achieving enlightenment and mental liberation, in which mindfulness is a foundational element.

Jon Kabat-Zinn

A professor of medicine at the University of Massachusetts who brought mindfulness practice primarily into the Western world.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

The nervous system responsible for the body's rest and digest functions, which is activated by mindfulness to counteract the physical effects of stress.

Cortisol

A stress hormone whose production in the human body can be reduced through regular mindfulness practice.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

A mental health condition involving persistent negative thought patterns that can be effectively managed using Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs).

4-7-8 Technique

A deep breathing exercise where an individual inhales for 4 seconds, holds the breath for 7 seconds, and exhales for 8 seconds to activate the parasympathetic nervous system.

Body Scan Meditation

A mindfulness technique involving mentally scanning the body from head to toe to focus on and release areas of physical tension.

Mindful Walking

A technique involving slow walking while focusing on physical sensations like the feeling of the ground beneath the feet, suited for those who find sitting meditation difficult.

Life Skills

Practical daily abilities and personal qualities used to deal effectively with life demands, academic tasks, and real-world responsibilities.

Time Management

An academic life skill that involves prioritizing tasks, creating planners, and breaking large projects into smaller steps with deadlines to avoid cramming.

Vocational Training

Instruction designed to equip individuals with specific job-related technical competencies, such as nursing, carpentry, or programming.

Workplace Readiness

Being fully prepared to enter, adapt to, and succeed in the professional world by combining technical abilities with practical life skills.

Continuous Self-Improvement

An ongoing process of advancing personal and professional growth through lifelong learning, skill enhancement, self-reflection, and goal setting.

SMART Principle

A goal-setting framework specifying that objectives should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

Internal Motivation

Self-driven career motivation stemming from personal passion, a desire for self-improvement, or a sense of purpose.

External Motivation

Drive influenced by outside factors such as salary increases, promotions, public recognition, and praise.

Digital Citizenship

Engaging positively, ethically, respectfully, and safely in online communities while protecting privacy and respecting intellectual property.

Digital Well-Being

Achieving a healthy balance between online and offline activities while staying mindful of technology's physical, mental, and social effects.

Social Influence

The process by which a person's thoughts, feelings, or behaviors are affected by the real or imagined presence of others.

Conformity

Changing one's behavior or opinions to align with group norms or expectations.

Compliance

Agreeing to a direct request made by another person, even if one does not internally agree.

Obedience

Following direct orders or instructions issued by an recognized authority figure.

Normative Social Influence (NSI)

Conforming to group behavior specifically to be liked, accepted, or to avoid social rejection.

Informational Social Influence (ISI)

Conforming because one believes that others possess accurate knowledge or know the correct way to act.

Social Impact Theory

Latané's 1981 theory stating that social influence depends on strength, immediacy, and the number of sources present.

Minority Influence

Moscovici's 1969 concept demonstrating that a consistent and confident minority can successfully shift the majority's views.

Social Learning Theory

Bandura's 1977 theory proposing that individuals acquire new behaviors primarily by observing and imitating others.

Elaboration Likelihood Model

Petty & Cacioppo's 1986 theory stating persuasion occurs via a Central Route (careful evaluation of arguments) or a Peripheral Route (superficial cues).

Social Perception

The cognitive process of interpreting and understanding others' behaviors, intentions, and emotions using available physical, nonverbal, and contextual cues.

Attribution

The process of explaining others' actions by assigning causes to either internal personal traits or external situational factors.

Social Interaction

The basic process by which individuals act and react to one another through verbal, nonverbal, and responsive communication in daily life.