LONG QUIZ
Aristotle on the individuality of the Self
a) Accidental Properties. Characteristics or attributes that are not essential to the identity of an individual but are specific to them.
b) Appetitive Soul. The soul associated with desires, feelings, and emotions; present in animals and humans.
c) Bipartite Division of the Soul. Aristotle's concept that the soul is divided into two main parts - the rational and the irrational.
d) Contingent. Dependent on certain conditions or circumstances, not necessary in all cases.
e) De Anima. Explanation of Aristotle's work that delves into the nature of the soul, providing context to the discussion.
f) Essential. Fundamental qualities or characteristics that define the core nature of something.
g) Ethical Deficiency. A state of lacking ethical virtues or moral excellence.
h) Eudaimonia. In Aristotelian ethics, the state of living a flourishing and fulfilled life through intentional good actions.
i) Golden Mean. Aristotle's concept of virtue as a moderate position between extremes.
j) Hylomorphism. A philosophical concept referring to the view that entities have both matter and form, and these together constitute their essence.
k) Incontinence. Lack of self-control or failure to act in accordance with one's knowledge of what is right.
l) Individuality. The unique and distinct characteristics that set one person apart from others.
m) Metaphysics. Relating to the branch of philosophy that deals with the fundamental nature of reality. It is the study of reality and existence, who we are, and what our purpose is.
n) Nutritive Soul. The soul associated with growth, self-maintenance, and reproduction; found in all living beings.
o) Philosophy of Self. A broad definition explaining the various philosophical perspectives on the nature and existence of the self.
p) Rational Soul. The soul associated with rational thought, intellect, and self-awareness; exclusive to humans.
q) Universal Properties. Refers to qualities or principles that apply to all instances of a particular category. It is what particular things have in common.
r) Virtue Theory. A moral theory that emphasizes the development of virtuous character traits.
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Self Understanding and the Care of Being: Heidegger’s Ethical Thought
a) Anxiety - pprehensive uneasiness or nervousness usually over an impending or anticipated ill: a state of being anxious
b) Authenticity - true to one's own personality, spirit, or character
c) Dasein - existence: self-conscious human individuality
d) Dyadic - of or consisting of a dyad; being a group of two
e) Existentialism - a chiefly 20th century philosophical movement embracing diverse doctrines but centering on analysis of individual existence in an unfathomable universe and the plight of the individual who must assume ultimate responsibility for acts of free will without any certain knowledge of what is right or wrong or good or bad
f) Finitude - finite quality or state
g) Hermeneutics - the study of the methodological principles of interpretation (as of the Bible)
h) Metaphysics - abstract philosophical studies: a study of what is outside objective experience
i) Ontology - a branch of metaphysics concerned with the nature and relations of being
j) Phenomenology - a philosophical movement that describes the formal structure of the objects of awareness and of awareness itself in abstraction from any claims concerning existence
k) Temporality - civil or political as distinguished from spiritual or ecclesiastical power or authority
The Self According to Psychodynamic Theory
A. Archetypes. Symbols or images that represent certain aspects of the human experience, such as the mother figure, father, wise old man and clown/joker, the hero, or the trickster.
B. Dream analysis. A technique used in psychoanalysis to examine the content and symbolism of dreams.
C. Free association. A technique used in psychoanalysis where the individual is encouraged to freely express their thoughts, memories, and feelings without censorship or judgment.
D. Identity Crisis. Identity crisis is a term coined by Erik Erikson to describe a period of inner conflict and confusion about one's self-identity and role in society.
E. Individual Psychology. Refers to the set of theories developed by Alfred Adler that focus on understanding human thought and behavior based on the individual's striving for superiority and power.
F. Oedipal phase. Also known as the Oedipus complex, a psychoanalytic concept proposed by Freud. It refers to a developmental stage during childhood where children experience unconscious sexual desires for their opposite-sex parent and rivalry with their same-sex parent.
G. Psychoanalysis. A therapeutic approach and theory developed by Sigmund Freud. It aims to explore the unconscious mind, uncover repressed feelings, and interpret deep-rooted emotional patterns.
H. Splitting. It refers to the inability to hold opposing thoughts, feelings, or beliefs about oneself or others.
I. Unconscious mind. Refers to the part of our mind that contains thoughts, feelings, and memories that are outside of our conscious awareness.
The Self and Social Cognition
a) Cognitive Processes - The mental operations the brain performs to process information.
b) Schema - A cognitive framework that functions by systematizing acquired pieces of information by categories.
c) Social Cognition - A thinking process of oneself and others by selecting, interpreting, remembering, and using the social information gained.
d) Social information - Consists of details or knowledge that individuals collect when engaging in the social world.
e) Social Schema Theory -
Focuses on the systematized ideas that will be used as shortcuts when processing future information, and on how it is applied to the behavior during social situations.
The Self in Humanistic Perspective
1. Carl Rogers. An influential humanistic psychologist who developed the theory of self-concept and emphasized the importance of unconditional positive regard in therapeutic relationships.
2. Congruence. The state of alignment or similarity between one's self-concept and ideal self, contributing to a higher sense of self-worth and psychological well-being.
3. Esteem. Refers to the fourth level in the hierarchy, following safety needs. Esteem needs encompass the desire for self-respect, confidence, achievement, recognition from others, and a sense of competence.
4. Humanistic Psychology. A psychological perspective emphasizing individual potential, positive aspects of human nature, and personal growth.
5. Humanistic Theory of Self. A psychological perspective that emerged in the mid-20th century, focusing on the development of healthy individuals. It emphasizes self-actualization, creativity, and rejects biological determinism.
6. Ideal self. Represents an individual's aspirations and desires for the person they wish to become.
7. Self-Actualization. The realization and fulfillment of one's potential and capabilities, according to Maslow's hierarchy of needs. It is a key concept in humanistic psychology.
8. Self-Concept. Refers to the beliefs and perceptions an individual holds about themselves.
9. Self-Esteem. An individual's feelings about their own worth and value, influencing confidence and overall well-being.
10. Unconditional Positive Regard. A concept introduced by Carl Rogers, referring to the therapist's acceptance and support for the client without judgment or conditions. It is a crucial element in humanistic psychotherapy.
Achieving Purpose and Meaning in Life
Self. the totality of the individual, consisting of all characteristic qualities, conscious and unconscious, mental and physical ( APA Dictionary of Psychology, 2023).
Achievement. An accomplishment gained as a result of effort (Merriam Webster, n.d.)
Purpose in Life. A mission one realizes as one explores the world and gains experience (Alitheia, 2024).
Meaning of Life. A subjective idea is produced by the mind based on one’s preferences (Alitheia, 2024).
Self-actualization. The realization that an individual has achieved his or her highest potential (Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d.).
Self-efficacy. The confidence and ability of people to control events affecting their lives (Lopez-Garrido, 2023).
Self-concept. The evaluation we have on yourself (APA Dictionary of Psychology, 2023).
Self Presentation
Self-Presentation: The intentional effort individuals make to strategically reveal or conceal information, shaping how others perceive them. This involves the delicate balance between creating a positive impression and maintaining authenticity.
Prosocial Self-Presentation: The deliberate attempt to present oneself as likable, ethical, and exemplary, often aligned with positive social values and behaviors.
Self-Serving Self-Presentation: The intentional presentation of personal skills and achievements, sometimes at the expense of others, emphasizing individual accomplishments.
Ingratiation: A self-presentational strategy focused on getting others to like the individual, involving behaviors such as imitation, flattery, favors, and positive interpersonal displays.
Self-Promotion: A self-presentational strategy aimed at convincing others of one's competence, intelligence, or talent, distinct from ingratiation where the goal is to be liked.
Intimidation: A self-presentational strategy where individuals seek to create a fearful impression, often to establish dominance or control in a social context.
Accountability: The level of responsibility and transparency in one's self-presentational claims, especially when these claims can be checked against relevant facts.
Self-Monitoring: An individual difference in self-presentation, where high self-monitors adapt their behavior to fit different social situations, while low self-monitors prioritize consistency with their internal beliefs.
Public Self-Consciousness: The degree to which individuals are aware of themselves as social objects and how much they think about their public appearance in social situations.
Social Validation: The desire for recognition and affirmation from others, influencing public behavior to align with positive self-perceptions.
Self Differentiation
Codependency. A state of a relationship where one’s partner’s needs may be put above the other.
Congruence. The state of alignment or similarity between one's self-concept and ideal self.
Interdependence. A state of a relationship where both partners’ needs are equally important.
Murray Bowen. An American psychiatrist and a professor who first coined the term “Self-Differentiation” in the development of his theory, the systems theory of the family.
Self-Differentiation. The ability to or the process of separating and maintaining one’s self from others in terms of emotions, thoughts, and feelings.
Roles We Play
Self Defined as the individual as a whole, including all characteristics, attributes, mentality, and consciousness
Self-concept The image we have of ourselves. It is how we perceive our behaviors, abilities, and unique characteristics.
Self-presentation Any behavior or action made with the intention to influence or change how other people see you.
Self-differentiation A process of not losing connection to the self while holding a deep connection to others, including those you value whose views may differ from yours.
Boundary Lines A mental boundary or line that separates those that are considered to be inside or what constitutes the “self” from those that are outside the line or what is the “not-self”.
Personal Setting An environment in which there are no other individuals involved apart from ourselves.
Interpersonal Setting An environment in which at least two individuals are willing to exchange information through conversation
Societal Setting An environment in which different groups of people participate in continuous social connection and develop relationships with one another.
Communication the process of sharing and understanding the meaning of thoughts and ideas between individuals.