Understanding the Self: Social, Biological, Environmental, and Material Factors

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering key definitions and theoretical concepts across social, biological, philosophical, psychological, and material aspects of the self.

Nature View of the Self

The view that the self is a product of natural processes and biology, where human traits and blueprints are passed from parents to offspring across generations.

Nurture View of the Self

The view that the self is formed as a result of surrounding environmental, life, and social factors in a human's life.

Identity

The qualities and beliefs that make a particular person or group different from others, or the distinguishing character or personality of an individual.

Self

The person that someone normally or truly is, or the entire person of an individual encompassing all of their characteristics and qualities.

Person-volition Factors

Factors affecting the self that stem from a person's need to form and construct a specific identity that sets them apart from others.

Psyche

The soul, which Socrates believed is the real self rather than the physical body.

Rational Soul

According to Plato, the component of the soul that uses reason.

Spirited Soul

According to Plato, the neutral component of the soul.

Appetitive Soul

According to Plato, the component of the soul that pursues desire.

Tabula Rasa

John Locke's concept of the self as a blank slate, meaning an individual's identity is formed over time through life experiences and memory.

Psychoneuroimmunology

A field of study whose principles suggest the self is formed similarly to the immune system, where individuals utilize inner attributes and reject harmful environmental factors.

Anthropology

The study of human beings, their precedents or ancestors, and cultural tools across generations.

Psychology

The study of human behavior, within which the self is viewed as a theoretical construct closely depicted by self-concept.

Self-concept

The theoretical depiction of what an individual thinks they look like, sound like, and behave like.

Sociology

The discipline that focuses on the study of people's behavior in society and societal problems.

Political Science

The study of people in government and political choices, where the self is influenced by participation in government ideologies, ideas, and advocacies.

Economics

The study of describing and analyzing the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, which shapes the self through economic processes.

Psychoanalysis

A form of therapy founded by Sigmund Freud that explores how the unconscious mind influences behaviors and thoughts.

Conscious Mind

The level of mind containing thoughts, memories, feelings, and wishes that an individual is actively aware of.

Unconscious Mind

The level of mind containing hidden memories, urges, feelings, and emotions that are too distressing, painful, embarrassing, or shameful to face.

Preconscious Mind

The level of mind containing information that can be moved into conscious awareness and acts like a guard controlling entry to consciousness.

Physical Self

The aspect of the self referring to the body's biological characteristics, physical growth, appearance, health, and bodily functioning.

Heredity

The transmission of traits or characteristics from parents to their offspring.

Gene

A segment of DNA containing instructions used to produce or influence a trait; the basic unit of heredity.

DNA

The molecule storing hereditary information that functions as a biological blueprint for an organism.

Chromosomes

Structures made of DNA and proteins that organize and carry genes; human body cells typically contain $23$ pairs, or $46$ in total.

Allele

One of two or more alternative forms of a gene.

Dominant Allele

An allele that can determine the observable trait when only one copy is present.

Recessive Allele

An allele that generally appears in the observable trait only when two copies are present.

Genotype

The specific allele combination underlying an individual's trait.

Phenotype

The observable physical expression of a trait.

Maturation

The completion or development of genetically guided characteristics within an organism to reach physical development and functional readiness.

Growth

Measurable physical changes in an organism, such as increases in height, weight, or muscle mass.

Hygiene

Practices that maintain body cleanliness and help prevent infection or illness.

Nutrition

The process through which the body obtains and utilizes nutrients from food for growth, energy, and maintenance.

Standards of Beauty

Social and cultural ideas regarding what physical appearance is considered attractive.

Sexual Self-Concept

An individual's assessment of their own sexual emotions and behaviors.

Estrogen

A hormone produced primarily by the ovaries and placenta that is crucial for the development of female reproductive organs.

Androgens

A group of hormones including testosterone that influence the development of male reproductive organs and characteristics.

Testosterone

An androgen produced by the testes vital for male sex organ development, sperm production, and masculine physical traits.

Intersex

A condition in which an individual is born with mixed sexual organs or reproductive characteristics.

Sex

Biological elements determined at birth, such as chromosomes, specific organs, and hormones.

Gender

A psychosocial and cultural concept defining how one views oneself, which is learned and embraced.

Cisgender

An identity status where an individual's gender identity matches their biological sex.

Transgender

An identity status where an individual's gender identity does not match their biological sex.

Genderfluid

An identity status where an individual may identify as male, female, both, or neither at different times and in different situations.

Agender

An identity status where an individual identifies with no gender or as neutral gender.

Bigender

An identity status where an individual identifies with two genders.

Sexual Orientation

An enduring emotional, romantic, sexual, or affectional attraction to another person.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

A virus that destroys T-cells, weakening the immune system and leading to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

Bioecological Systems Theory

Urie Bronfenbrenner's framework outlining five interconnected environmental layers that influence human development over time.

Microsystem

The layer of Bioecological Systems Theory comprising direct social interactions and immediate environments such as family, peers, and school.

Mesosystem

The layer of Bioecological Systems Theory describing the interconnections between an individual's different microsystems.

Exosystem

The layer of Bioecological Systems Theory encompassing social settings that indirectly affect an individual without their direct involvement.

Macrosystem

The layer of Bioecological Systems Theory representing the overarching cultural context, values, social norms, and legal systems.

Chronosystem

The dimension of time in Bioecological Systems Theory, covering life transitions, personal experiences, and historical events.

Material Self

According to William James, a constituent of the self that includes everything an individual considers theirs, such as their body, clothes, family, and home.

Social Self

According to William James, the constituent of the self regarding how an individual is perceived by others.

Pure Ego

According to William James, the abstract sense of self referred to as the 'I'.

Needs

Basic requirements essential for human survival and physical well-being, such as food, water, and shelter.

Wants

Desires that extend beyond basic survival necessities, driven by personal choices, social influences, or aspirations.