Understanding the Self: Philosophical, Sociological, Psychological, Eastern/Western, and Physical Perspectives

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the philosophical, sociological, psychological, cultural, and physical dimensions of the self based on class lecture materials.

Psyche

In Socratic philosophy, the true self or soul, which is the source of thinking, choosing, and moral responsibility rather than bodily appearance or possessions.

Rational Soul (Plato)

The highest part of the soul associated with intellect and reason; it serves as the seat of knowledge and wisdom and decides what is best for the individual long-term.

Spirited Soul (Plato)

The part of the soul in charge of emotions, which desires honor and recognition.

Appetitive Soul (Plato)

The part of the soul responsible for controlling basic bodily desires and needs such as hunger, thirst, eating, drinking, and sleeping.

Vegetative Soul

In Aristotelian philosophy, the soul function responsible for growth and nutrition, which is present in plants, animals, and humans.

Sensitive Soul

In Aristotelian philosophy, the soul function responsible for perception and desire, present in both animals and humans.

Rational Soul (Aristotle)

The soul function responsible for thinking and understanding, which is unique to human beings.

Hyle

The Greek term for matter, referring to the common, formless substance that makes up physical objects and the human body.

Morphe

The Greek term for form, referring to the essence or organizing principle that gives identity, structure, and actuality to matter.

Cogito

In Cartesian philosophy, the thinking entity or mind, which proves its own existence through the act of doubting.

Extenza

In Cartesian philosophy, the extension of the mind, referring to the physical body viewed as a machine attached to the mind.

Tabula Rasa

John Locke's concept of the mind as a blank slate at birth, which is shaped and built entirely through experience, culture, and environment.

Impressions (Hume)

Vivid, intense, and direct mental experiences resulting from immediate sensory experience or emotion.

Ideas (Hume)

Less lively and less intense mental copies or recollections of original impressions.

Inner Self (Kant)

The unobservable, rational, and conscious aspect of an individual that possesses the capacity for moral decision-making, inner dialogue, and self-awareness.

Outer Self (Kant)

The observable, physical aspect of a person that others perceive through behavior, appearance, and physical interaction.

Id

In Freudian psychoanalysis, the primitive and instinctual agency of the mind that contains sexual and aggressive drives and operates on the pleasure principle.

Ego

In Freudian psychoanalysis, the realistic component of personality that operates on the reality principle to mediate between the desires of the id and superego.

Superego

In Freudian psychoanalysis, the agency of the mind that operates on moral principles and functions as a moral conscience.

Looking-Glass Self

Charles Horton Cooley's concept stating that individuals shape their self-concept based on how they imagine others perceive and judge them.

Labeling Bias

A phenomenon where an individual is categorized by a label, causing others' views, expectations, and evaluations of that individual to be altered.

Self-Labeling

The process wherein an individual explicitly adopts social labels given by others into their own internal self-concept.

The "I" (Mead)

The spontaneous, creative, and active component of the self that introduces initiative, innovation, and individuality in social interactions.

The "Me" (Mead)

The socialized, reflective component of the self that guides and constrains behavior according to social norms and societal expectations.

Generalized Other

The internalized sense of society's overall attitudes, expectations, and normative standards used by an individual to judge how to act in a wider community.

Preparatory Stage

The first stage of self-development (ages 0–3) where children imitate surrounding people without comprehending underlying intentions.

Play Stage

The second stage of self-development (ages 3–5) where children begin role-taking by pretending to take the roles of specific significant others.

Game Stage

The stage of self-development starting in early school years (ages 8–9) where children understand multiple social positions, rules, and the generalized other.

Reflexive Self

A state of self-awareness involving the recognition of one's similarities and differences relative to others while retaining personal identity.

The "I" (James)

William James's concept of the Pure Ego, representing the active, subjective conscious knower that experiences and feels in real time.

The "Me" (James)

William James's concept of the Empirical Self, representing the objectified self consisting of everything that can be known, possessed, or described about a person.

Material Self

A subcategory of the Empirical Self comprising physical possessions, clothing, body, family, and financial resources.

Social Self

A subcategory of the Empirical Self defined by how a person is seen by others and how they act within different relationships and social situations.

Spiritual Self

A subcategory of the Empirical Self encompassing core personality traits, values, conscience, and inner dispositions that remain stable throughout life.

Global Self-Esteem

Also called trait self-esteem, an individual's overall and relatively stable general sense of self-worth.

State Self-Esteem

Fluctuating, temporary feelings of self-worth that change depending on specific feedback, social experiences, and immediate events.

Domain-Specific Self-Esteem

An individual's self-evaluation of worth or capability in explicit areas, such as academic performance, athletic skill, or physical appearance.

Real Self

In Carl Rogers's humanistic theory, the individual's authentic present traits, actual skills, flaws, and lived experience.

Ideal Self

In Carl Rogers's humanistic theory, the person an individual aspires to be or believes they should be.

Congruence

A psychological state occurring when an individual's real self and ideal self match closely, resulting in peace of mind and high self-worth.

Incongruence

A state occurring when a large gap exists between the real self and ideal self, giving rise to anxiety, emotional distress, and defensive coping mechanisms.

True Self

Donald Winnicott's concept of an individual's genuine, spontaneous, and creative sense of being and personal integrity.

False Self

Donald Winnicott's concept of an adaptive, defensive identity developed to comply with external demands and protect the vulnerable True Self.

Human Agency

Albert Bandura's concept defining the active process by which individuals intentionally explore, influence, and transform their environment to achieve desired goals.

Arête

The Greek concept meaning excellence, virtue, or the fulfillment of one's potential.

Individualistic Self

A Western-oriented view of self marked by an "I" identity, personal goals, autonomy, self-sufficiency, and individual rights.

Collectivist Self

An Eastern-oriented view of self emphasizing a "We" identity, group harmony, family interests, brotherhood, and shared community obligations.

Atman

In Indian philosophy, the eternal, unchanging, deepest dimension of consciousness or self that exists beyond the physical mind and body.

Anatta

The Buddhist doctrine of non-self, teaching that the self is an impermanent, continuously changing process of thoughts, emotions, and physical states.

Junzi

In Confucianism, the ideal or exemplary virtuous person developed through moral training, education, and social usefulness.

Li

The Confucian principle of proper conduct, social protocols, etiquette, and rituals that discipline and refine the self.

Ren

The core Confucian virtue representing human-heartedness, benevolence, and active compassion toward others.

Physical Self

The dimension of identity encompassing how individuals understand, experience, evaluate, and present their physical bodies.

Body Image

An individual's internal perception, evaluation, and emotional feelings regarding their physical appearance.

Physical Self-Concept

An individual's specific cognitive beliefs regarding their physical attributes, health, strength, and physical capabilities.

Nonsuicidal Self-Injury (NSSI)

The deliberate direct destruction of body tissue without suicidal intent, often utilized as a mechanism to manage overwhelming emotional distress.