Psychology/Philosophy Flashcards
Absurdism
A philosophical theory that life in general is absurd, that the world lacks meaning or a higher purpose and is not fully intelligible by reason. Absurd also refers to a conflict or discrepancy between two things.
A philosophical theory that life in general is absurd, that the world lacks meaning or a higher purpose and is not fully intelligible by reason. Absurd also refers to a conflict or discrepancy between two things.
Absurdism
Atheism
Disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or gods
Disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or gods
Atheism
Buddhism
Based on the teachings of the Buddha (Siddhārtha Gautama). The goal is to overcome suffering (duhkha) caused by desire and ignorance of reality’s true nature and transcending the individual self through the attainment of nirvana
Based on the teachings of the Buddha (Siddhārtha Gautama). The goal is to overcome suffering (duhkha) caused by desire and ignorance of reality’s true nature and transcending the individual self through the attainment of nirvana
Buddhism
Catholicism
The faith, practices, and church order of the Roman Catholic Church, and it’s core beliefs are founded on the Nicene Creed
The faith, practices, and church order of the Roman Catholic Church, and it’s core beliefs are founded on the Nicene Creed
Catholicism
Christianity
The religion based on the person and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, or the beliefs and practices
The religion based on the person and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, or the beliefs and practices
Christianity
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Founded on April 6, 1830 by Joseph Smith Jr. A nontrinitarian, restorationist, Christian church that considers itself to be the restoration of the original church founded by Jesus Christ.
Founded on April 6, 1830 by Joseph Smith Jr. A nontrinitarian, restorationist, Christian church that considers itself to be the restoration of the original church founded by Jesus Christ.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Confucianism
A philosophy and belief system from ancient China, which focuses on the importance of ethics and morality
A philosophy and belief system from ancient China, which focuses on the importance of ethics and morality
Confucianism
Existentialism
A philosophical theory or approach which emphasizes the existence of the individual person as a free and responsible agent determining their own development through acts of the will
A philosophical theory or approach which emphasizes the existence of the individual person as a free and responsible agent determining their own development through acts of the will
Existentialism
Hedonic Treadmill
A Metaphor for the tendency to pursue one pleasure after another because the surge of happiness that’s felt after a positive event is likely to return to a steady personal baseline over time
A Metaphor for the tendency to pursue one pleasure after another because the surge of happiness that’s felt after a positive event is likely to return to a steady personal baseline over time
Hedonic Treadmill
Hinduism
The dominant religion of india that emphasizes dharma with its resulting ritual and social observance and often mystical contemplation and ascetic practices
The dominant religion of india that emphasizes dharma with its resulting ritual and social observance and often mystical contemplation and ascetic practices
Hinduism
Islam
An Abrahamic monotheistic religion centered around the Quran, a religious text considered by Muslims to be the direct word of God as it was revealed to the prophet Muhammad, the main and final Islamic prophet
An Abrahamic monotheistic religion centered around the Quran, a religious text considered by Muslims to be the direct word of God as it was revealed to the prophet Muhammad, the main and final Islamic prophet
Islam
Nihilism
The rejection of all religious and moral principles, and that life is meaningless
The rejection of all religious and moral principles, and that life is meaningless
Nihilism
Psychoanalysis
A system of psychological theory and therapy which aims to treat mental disorders by investigating the interaction of conscious and unconscious elements in the mind and bringing repressed fears and conflicts into the conscious mind by techniques such as dream interpretation and free association
A system of psychological theory and therapy which aims to treat mental disorders by investigating the interaction of conscious and unconscious elements in the mind and bringing repressed fears and conflicts into the conscious mind by techniques such as dream interpretation and free association
Psychoanalysis
Utilitarianism
The doctrine that actions are right if they are useful or for the benefit of a majority. Action is right insofar as it promotes happiness, and that the greatest happiness of the greatest number should be the guiding principle of conduct
The doctrine that actions are right if they are useful or for the benefit of a majority. Action is right insofar as it promotes happiness, and that the greatest happiness of the greatest number should be the guiding principle of conduct
Utilitarianism
Democracy
A system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives.
A system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives.
Democracy
Taoism
A set of Chinese traditions and religions which emphasize living in harmony with the Dao. The Dao is generally defined as the source of everything and the ultimate principle underlying reality. The Daodejing and the Zhuangzi are widely considered key texts.
A set of Chinese traditions and religions which emphasize living in harmony with the Dao. The Dao is generally defined as the source of everything and the ultimate principle underlying reality. The Daodejing and the Zhuangzi are widely considered key texts.
Taoism
Psychology
The scientific study of the human mind and its functions, especially those affecting behavior in a given context.
The scientific study of the human mind and its functions, especially those affecting behavior in a given context.
Psychology
Schrödinger’s Cat
The thought experiment that stated that if you place a cat and something that could kill the cat (a radioactive atom) in a box and sealed it, you would not know if the cat was dead or alive until you opened the box, so that until the box was opened, the cat was (in a sense) both “dead and alive”.
The thought experiment that stated that if you place a cat and something that could kill the cat (a radioactive atom) in a box and sealed it, you would not know if the cat was dead or alive until you opened the box, so that until the box was opened, the cat was (in a sense) both “dead and alive”.
Schrödinger’s Cat
Glass Child
Siblings of a person with a disability. The word glass means people tend to see right through them and focus only on the person with the disability. “Glass” is also used because the children appear strong, but in reality are not. These children have needs that are not being met.
Siblings of a person with a disability. The word glass means people tend to see right through them and focus only on the person with the disability. “Glass” is also used because the children appear strong, but in reality are not. These children have needs that are not being met.
Glass Child
Parkinson’s Law
The observation that public administration, bureaucracy and officialdom expands, regardless of the amount of work to be done. This was attributed mainly to two factors: that officials want subordinates, not rivals, and that officials make work for each other. Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion. We plan based on how much time we have, and when the deadline approaches, we start to make Choices and Tradeoffs to do what must be done to complete the task by the deadline.
The observation that public administration, bureaucracy and officialdom expands, regardless of the amount of work to be done. This was attributed mainly to two factors: that officials want subordinates, not rivals, and that officials make work for each other. Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion. We plan based on how much time we have, and when the deadline approaches, we start to make Choices and Tradeoffs to do what must be done to complete the task by the deadline.
Parkinson’s Law
Pomodoro Technique
A time management method based on 25-minute stretches of focused work broken by five-minute breaks. Longer breaks, typically 15 to 30 minutes, are taken after four consecutive work intervals.
A time management method based on 25-minute stretches of focused work broken by five-minute breaks. Longer breaks, typically 15 to 30 minutes, are taken after four consecutive work intervals.
Pomodoro Technique
Feynman Technique
A four-step process for understanding any topic. This technique rejects automated recall in favor of true comprehension gained through selection, research, writing, explaining, and refining. 1. Choose a concept to learn. 2. Teach it to yourself or someone else. 3. Return to the source material if you get stuck. 4. Simplify your explanations and create analogies.
A four-step process for understanding any topic. This technique rejects automated recall in favor of true comprehension gained through selection, research, writing, explaining, and refining. 1. Choose a concept to learn. 2. Teach it to yourself or someone else. 3. Return to the source material if you get stuck. 4. Simplify your explanations and create analogies.
Feynman Technique
Zeigarnik Effect
A psychological phenomenon describing a tendency to remember interrupted or incomplete tasks or events more easily than tasks that have been completed.
A psychological phenomenon describing a tendency to remember interrupted or incomplete tasks or events more easily than tasks that have been completed.
Zeigarnik Effect
Jehovah’s Witness
A millenarian restorationist Christian denomination, founded in the US by Charles Taze Russell, with nontrinitarian beliefs distinct from mainstream Christianity, and and refuse military service and blood transfusion on religious grounds.
A millenarian restorationist Christian denomination, founded in the US by Charles Taze Russell, with nontrinitarian beliefs distinct from mainstream Christianity, and and refuse military service and blood transfusion on religious grounds.
Jehovah’s Witness
Judaism
An Abrahamic, monotheistic, and ethnic religion comprising the collective religious, cultural, and legal tradition and civilization of the Jewish people.
An Abrahamic, monotheistic, and ethnic religion comprising the collective religious, cultural, and legal tradition and civilization of the Jewish people.
Judaism
Lucid Body
A system of exploration of the Self
Rooted in the exploration of the seven chakra energy centers, participants discover their Habitual Body, Shadow Selves, and learn how to adjust their psycho-physical energy to meet the needs of any given circumstances.
A system of exploration of the Self
Rooted in the exploration of the seven chakra energy centers, participants discover their Habitual Body, Shadow Selves, and learn how to adjust their psycho-physical energy to meet the needs of any given circumstances.
Lucid Body
Ikigai
A Japanese concept referring to a motivating force; something or someone that gives a person a sense of purpose or a reason for living. More generally it may refer to something that brings pleasure or fulfilment.
A Japanese concept referring to a motivating force; something or someone that gives a person a sense of purpose or a reason for living. More generally it may refer to something that brings pleasure or fulfilment.
Ikigai
Disinhibition
Diminution or loss of the normal control exerted by the cerebral cortex, resulting in poorly controlled or poorly restrained emotions or actions. It may be due to the effects of alcohol, drugs, or brain injury, particularly to the frontal lobes.
Diminution or loss of the normal control exerted by the cerebral cortex, resulting in poorly controlled or poorly restrained emotions or actions. It may be due to the effects of alcohol, drugs, or brain injury, particularly to the frontal lobes.
Disinhibition
Deindividualization
The perceived loss of individuality and personal responsibility that can occur when someone participates as part of a group. It can cause a person to be more likely to donate a large amount of money to charity, but also cause them to be more likely to engage in mob violence.
The perceived loss of individuality and personal responsibility that can occur when someone participates as part of a group. It can cause a person to be more likely to donate a large amount of money to charity, but also cause them to be more likely to engage in mob violence.
Deindividualization
Occam’s razor
A principle of theory construction or evaluation according to which, other things equal, explanations that posit fewer entities, or fewer kinds of entities, are to be preferred to explanations that posit more. In simpler language, it states that the simplest explanation is preferable to one that is more complex.
A principle of theory construction or evaluation according to which, other things equal, explanations that posit fewer entities, or fewer kinds of entities, are to be preferred to explanations that posit more. In simpler language, it states that the simplest explanation is preferable to one that is more complex.
Occam’s razor
Allegory of the Cave, The
Plato describes a group of people who have lived chained to the wall of a cave all their lives, facing a blank wall. The people watch shadows projected on the wall from objects passing in front of a fire behind them and give names to these shadows. The shadows are the prisoners’ reality, but are not accurate representations of the real world. The shadows represent the fragment of reality that we can normally perceive through our senses, while the objects under the sun represent the true forms of objects that we can only perceive through reason. Three higher levels exist: the natural sciences; mathematics, geometry, and deductive logic; and the theory of forms.
Plato describes a group of people who have lived chained to the wall of a cave all their lives, facing a blank wall. The people watch shadows projected on the wall from objects passing in front of a fire behind them and give names to these shadows. The shadows are the prisoners’ reality, but are not accurate representations of the real world. The shadows represent the fragment of reality that we can normally perceive through our senses, while the objects under the sun represent the true forms of objects that we can only perceive through reason. Three higher levels exist: the natural sciences; mathematics, geometry, and deductive logic; and the theory of forms.
Allegory of the Cave, The
Mary’s Room Thought Experiment
A thought experiment that attempts to establish that there are non-physical properties and attainable knowledge that can be discovered only through conscious experience. It attempts to refute the theory that all knowledge is physical knowledge. According to Frank Jackson, if physicalism was true, Mary must have had complete knowledge about seeing red even in her monochrome room. But she did not have complete knowledge, he argues, because physicalism cannot explain phenomenal states as it explains physical facts. This describes the “Knowledge Argument” in philosophy
A thought experiment that attempts to establish that there are non-physical properties and attainable knowledge that can be discovered only through conscious experience. It attempts to refute the theory that all knowledge is physical knowledge. According to Frank Jackson, if physicalism was true, Mary must have had complete knowledge about seeing red even in her monochrome room. But she did not have complete knowledge, he argues, because physicalism cannot explain phenomenal states as it explains physical facts. This describes the “Knowledge Argument” in philosophy
Mary’s Room Thought Experiment
Idealization
The action of regarding or representing something as perfect or better than in reality.
The action of regarding or representing something as perfect or better than in reality.
Idealization
Shadow Work
A type of psychotherapy that focuses on the “shadow self,” which is the parts of the psyche that people often keep hidden, such as trauma and resentment. The psychoanalyst Carl Jung first developed the concept.
A type of psychotherapy that focuses on the “shadow self,” which is the parts of the psyche that people often keep hidden, such as trauma and resentment. The psychoanalyst Carl Jung first developed the concept.
Shadow Work
Tao Te Ching
Along with the Zhuangzi, it is a fundamental text for both philosophical and religious Taoism. It also strongly influenced other schools of Chinese philosophy and religion, including Legalism, Confucianism, and Chinese Buddhism, which was largely interpreted through the use of Taoist words and concepts when it was originally introduced to China
Along with the Zhuangzi, it is a fundamental text for both philosophical and religious Taoism. It also strongly influenced other schools of Chinese philosophy and religion, including Legalism, Confucianism, and Chinese Buddhism, which was largely interpreted through the use of Taoist words and concepts when it was originally introduced to China
Tao Te Ching
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
A charted set of human requirements that are important for an individual to achieve complete development and self-actualization. The hierarchy of needs is a theory of psychologist Abraham Maslow. From the bottom up, the needs Maslow advances in this theory are: physiological, safety, love and belonging, esteem, and self-actualization.
A charted set of human requirements that are important for an individual to achieve complete development and self-actualization. The hierarchy of needs is a theory of psychologist Abraham Maslow. From the bottom up, the needs Maslow advances in this theory are: physiological, safety, love and belonging, esteem, and self-actualization.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Knowledge Argument
A philosophical thought experiment proposed by Frank Jackson in his article “Epiphenomenal Qualia” (1982) and extended in “What Mary Didn’t Know” (1986). The experiment describes Mary, a scientist who exists in a black-and-white world where she has extensive access to physical descriptions of color, but no actual perceptual experience of color. Mary has learned everything there is to learn about color, but she has never actually experienced it for herself. The central question of the thought experiment is whether Mary will gain new knowledge when she goes outside the colorless world and experiences seeing in color. The experiment is intended to argue against physicalism—the view that the universe, including all that is mental, is entirely physical.
A philosophical thought experiment proposed by Frank Jackson in his article “Epiphenomenal Qualia” (1982) and extended in “What Mary Didn’t Know” (1986). The experiment describes Mary, a scientist who exists in a black-and-white world where she has extensive access to physical descriptions of color, but no actual perceptual experience of color. Mary has learned everything there is to learn about color, but she has never actually experienced it for herself. The central question of the thought experiment is whether Mary will gain new knowledge when she goes outside the colorless world and experiences seeing in color. The experiment is intended to argue against physicalism—the view that the universe, including all that is mental, is entirely physical.
Knowledge Argument
Qualia
Instances of subjective, conscious experience. The ‘what it is like’ character of mental states. The way it feels to have mental states such as pain, seeing red, smelling a rose, etc.
Instances of subjective, conscious experience. The ‘what it is like’ character of mental states. The way it feels to have mental states such as pain, seeing red, smelling a rose, etc.
Qualia
Devaluation
The act of assigning exaggerated negative qualities while disregarding the good. Flaws, weaknesses, and negative traits take center stage, and positive qualities are completely ignored.
The act of assigning exaggerated negative qualities while disregarding the good. Flaws, weaknesses, and negative traits take center stage, and positive qualities are completely ignored.
Devaluation
Divergent Thinking
A thought process or method used to generate creative ideas by exploring many possible solutions. It typically occurs in a spontaneous, free-flowing, “non-linear” manner, such that many ideas are generated in an emergent cognitive fashion.
A thought process or method used to generate creative ideas by exploring many possible solutions. It typically occurs in a spontaneous, free-flowing, “non-linear” manner, such that many ideas are generated in an emergent cognitive fashion.
Divergent Thinking
Illusory Truth Effect, The
Also known as the illusion of truth, describes how when we hear the same false information repeated again and again, we often come to believe it is true. Troublingly, this even happens when people should know better—that is, when people initially know that the misinformation is false.
Also known as the illusion of truth, describes how when we hear the same false information repeated again and again, we often come to believe it is true. Troublingly, this even happens when people should know better—that is, when people initially know that the misinformation is false.
Illusory Truth Effect, The
The Blue Dot Effect
The experiment involved Researchers asking participants to identify “Blue” Dots from a series of a thousand Dots ranging in color from very blue to very purple. These Dots would flash on a computer screen one after the other. Initially, for Dots shown on the screen, the participants identified the color pretty accurately. Roughly half of the dots were blue, and half were purple. However, progressively researchers made sure the frequency of Blue dots reduced dramatically. Strangely, the participants reacted by selecting as Blue Dots those that were shades of purple- their classification of Blue expanded in proportion to the decrease in the Blue Dots on the screen. In essence, as the occurrence of blue dots decreased, the definition of blue expanded. Prevalence affected the judgment of the respondents. The researchers termed this phenomenon “prevalence-induced concept change.” In further experiments, the researchers found the same effect when participants had to identify aggressive faces from a group that ranged from ‘very threatening’ to ‘not very threatening,’ and again when separating unethical research proposals from ethical ones. Even when the occurrence of “problems” (threatening faces/unethical proposals) went down, participants began to misread friendly and neutral faces as threatening and ethical proposals as fraudulent. This suggests that our mind is conditioned to look for threats and issues, regardless of how safe or comfortable our environment is. The better things get, the more we nitpick on even the smallest of issues. The size of the problem does not determine our emotional reactions to our problems. Instead, our minds simply amplify our problems to fit the degree of stress we expect to experience. Success and material progress do not necessarily relax us or make us feel better about our future.
The experiment involved Researchers asking participants to identify “Blue” Dots from a series of a thousand Dots ranging in color from very blue to very purple. These Dots would flash on a computer screen one after the other. Initially, for Dots shown on the screen, the participants identified the color pretty accurately. Roughly half of the dots were blue, and half were purple. However, progressively researchers made sure the frequency of Blue dots reduced dramatically. Strangely, the participants reacted by selecting as Blue Dots those that were shades of purple- their classification of Blue expanded in proportion to the decrease in the Blue Dots on the screen. In essence, as the occurrence of blue dots decreased, the definition of blue expanded. Prevalence affected the judgment of the respondents. The researchers termed this phenomenon “prevalence-induced concept change.” In further experiments, the researchers found the same effect when participants had to identify aggressive faces from a group that ranged from ‘very threatening’ to ‘not very threatening,’ and again when separating unethical research proposals from ethical ones. Even when the occurrence of “problems” (threatening faces/unethical proposals) went down, participants began to misread friendly and neutral faces as threatening and ethical proposals as fraudulent. This suggests that our mind is conditioned to look for threats and issues, regardless of how safe or comfortable our environment is. The better things get, the more we nitpick on even the smallest of issues. The size of the problem does not determine our emotional reactions to our problems. Instead, our minds simply amplify our problems to fit the degree of stress we expect to experience. Success and material progress do not necessarily relax us or make us feel better about our future.
The Blue Dot Effect
Antifragility
A convex response to a stressor or source of harm, leading to a positive sensitivity to increase in volatility. Rather than view stress as negative or something to avoid, look for the opportunity to embrace it. We do not look for resilience and recovery, but welcome and embrace stress as a muscle builder for strength. The classic example is Hydra, the Greek mythological creature that has numerous heads. When one is cut off, two grow back in its place.
A convex response to a stressor or source of harm, leading to a positive sensitivity to increase in volatility. Rather than view stress as negative or something to avoid, look for the opportunity to embrace it. We do not look for resilience and recovery, but welcome and embrace stress as a muscle builder for strength. The classic example is Hydra, the Greek mythological creature that has numerous heads. When one is cut off, two grow back in its place.
Antifragility
Sublime, The
Theory developed by Edmund Burke in the mid eighteenth century. In aesthetics, it is the quality of greatness, whether physical, moral, intellectual, metaphysical, aesthetic, spiritual, or artistic. The term especially refers to a greatness beyond all possibility of calculation, measurement, or imitation.
Theory developed by Edmund Burke in the mid eighteenth century. In aesthetics, it is the quality of greatness, whether physical, moral, intellectual, metaphysical, aesthetic, spiritual, or artistic. The term especially refers to a greatness beyond all possibility of calculation, measurement, or imitation.
Sublime, The
