Scientific Perspectives of the Self

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the biological, psychological, and social science perspectives of the self as discussed in the lecture notes.

Genetics

Scientific and medical explanation of how genes from both parents contribute to the characteristics of their offspring.

Neurophilosophy

A field attributed to Paul and Patricia Churchland concerned with the association of the brain and the mind, emphasizing that understanding brain functions and wave activity is necessary to understand the human mind.

"we are our bodies"

A quote by Merleau-Ponty highlighting the neurological basis of belief systems, information processing, and behaviors.

Psychoneuroimmunology

Describes the shaping of the self as similar to the functioning of the human immune system, suggesting that the body expresses what the mind has been forced to contain.

Psychology

The study of human behavior that views the "self" as a theoretical construct and an object of several psychological constructs.

Self-awareness

The consciousness of individuals regarding their strengths, weaknesses, potentials, and the underlying factors contributing to these aspects of the self.

Self-concept

An implicit personality theory one holds toward oneself; a description of how one looks, sounds, and behaves.

Psychoanalysis

A psychological perspective focusing on the "unconscious" as a core element of the self.

Behaviorism

A perspective asserting that the study of behavior should be conducted from an observable and measurable perspective.

Social cognitive theory

A theoretical perspective that views behavior as a function of the environment and internal attributes.

Humanistic perspective

The belief that every individual is inherently good and has the ability to reach self-actualization and transcendence.

Anthropology

The study of human beings and their ancestors through time and space in relation to physical character, environmental and social relations, and culture.

Economics

The study and analysis of the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, and how financial state and purchasing power shape the self.

Political Science

A social science concerned with the participation of individuals in establishing a government and making political choices, where participation and ideologies contribute to selfhood.