Psychology/Philosophy

Question 1

Absurdism

Answer 1

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.

Question 2

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.

Answer 2

Absurdism

Question 3

Atheism

Answer 3

Disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or gods

Question 4

Disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or gods

Answer 4

Atheism

Question 5

Buddhism

Answer 5

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

Question 6

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

Answer 6

Buddhism

Question 7

Catholicism

Answer 7

The faith, practices, and church order of the Roman Catholic Church, and it’s core beliefs are founded on the Nicene Creed

Question 8

The faith, practices, and church order of the Roman Catholic Church, and it’s core beliefs are founded on the Nicene Creed

Answer 8

Catholicism

Question 9

Christianity

Answer 9

The religion based on the person and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, or the beliefs and practices

Question 10

The religion based on the person and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, or the beliefs and practices

Answer 10

Christianity

Question 11

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Answer 11

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.

Question 12

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.

Answer 12

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Question 13

Confucianism

Answer 13

A philosophy and belief system from ancient China, which focuses on the importance of ethics and morality

Question 14

A philosophy and belief system from ancient China, which focuses on the importance of ethics and morality

Answer 14

Confucianism

Question 15

Existentialism

Answer 15

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

Question 16

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

Answer 16

Existentialism

Question 17

Hedonic Treadmill

Answer 17

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

Question 18

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

Answer 18

Hedonic Treadmill

Question 19

Hinduism

Answer 19

The dominant religion of india that emphasizes dharma with its resulting ritual and social observance and often mystical contemplation and ascetic practices

Question 20

The dominant religion of india that emphasizes dharma with its resulting ritual and social observance and often mystical contemplation and ascetic practices

Answer 20

Hinduism

Question 21

Islam

Answer 21

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

Question 22

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

Answer 22

Islam

Question 23

Nihilism

Answer 23

The rejection of all religious and moral principles, and that life is meaningless

Question 24

The rejection of all religious and moral principles, and that life is meaningless

Answer 24

Nihilism

Question 25

Psychoanalysis

Answer 25

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

Question 26

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

Answer 26

Psychoanalysis

Question 27

Utilitarianism

Answer 27

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

Question 28

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

Answer 28

Utilitarianism

Question 29

Democracy

Answer 29

A system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives.

Question 30

A system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives.

Answer 30

Democracy

Question 31

Taoism

Answer 31

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.

Question 32

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.

Answer 32

Taoism

Question 33

Psychology

Answer 33

The scientific study of the human mind and its functions, especially those affecting behavior in a given context.

Question 34

The scientific study of the human mind and its functions, especially those affecting behavior in a given context.

Answer 34

Psychology

Question 35

Schrödinger’s Cat

Answer 35

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”.

Question 36

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”.

Answer 36

Schrödinger’s Cat

Question 37

Glass Child

Answer 37

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.

Question 38

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.

Answer 38

Glass Child

Question 39

Parkinson’s Law

Answer 39

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.

Question 40

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.

Answer 40

Parkinson’s Law

Question 41

Pomodoro Technique

Answer 41

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.

Question 42

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.

Answer 42

Pomodoro Technique

Question 43

Feynman Technique

Answer 43

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.

Question 44

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.

Answer 44

Feynman Technique

Question 45

Zeigarnik Effect

Answer 45

A psychological phenomenon describing a tendency to remember interrupted or incomplete tasks or events more easily than tasks that have been completed.

Question 46

A psychological phenomenon describing a tendency to remember interrupted or incomplete tasks or events more easily than tasks that have been completed.

Answer 46

Zeigarnik Effect

Question 47

Jehovah’s Witness

Answer 47

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.

Question 48

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.

Answer 48

Jehovah’s Witness

Question 49

Judaism

Answer 49

An Abrahamic, monotheistic, and ethnic religion comprising the collective religious, cultural, and legal tradition and civilization of the Jewish people.

Question 50

An Abrahamic, monotheistic, and ethnic religion comprising the collective religious, cultural, and legal tradition and civilization of the Jewish people.

Answer 50

Judaism

Question 51

Lucid Body

Answer 51

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.

Question 52

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.

Answer 52

Lucid Body

Question 53

Ikigai

Answer 53

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.

Question 54

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.

Answer 54

Ikigai

Question 55

Disinhibition

Answer 55

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.

Question 56

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.

Answer 56

Disinhibition

Question 57

Deindividualization

Answer 57

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.

Question 58

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.

Answer 58

Deindividualization

Question 59

Occam’s razor

Answer 59

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.

Question 60

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.

Answer 60

Occam’s razor

Question 61

Allegory of the Cave, The

Answer 61

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.

Question 62

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.

Answer 62

Allegory of the Cave, The

Question 63

Mary’s Room Thought Experiment

Answer 63

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

Question 64

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

Answer 64

Mary’s Room Thought Experiment

Question 65

Idealization

Answer 65

The action of regarding or representing something as perfect or better than in reality.

Question 66

The action of regarding or representing something as perfect or better than in reality.

Answer 66

Idealization

Question 67

Shadow Work

Answer 67

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.

Question 68

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.

Answer 68

Shadow Work

Question 69

Tao Te Ching

Answer 69

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

Question 70

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

Answer 70

Tao Te Ching

Question 71

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Answer 71

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.

Question 72

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.

Answer 72

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Question 73

Knowledge Argument

Answer 73

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.

Question 74

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.

Answer 74

Knowledge Argument

Question 75

Qualia

Answer 75

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.

Question 76

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.

Answer 76

Qualia

Question 77

Devaluation

Answer 77

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.

Question 78

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.

Answer 78

Devaluation

Question 79

Divergent Thinking

Answer 79

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.

Question 80

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.

Answer 80

Divergent Thinking

Question 81

Illusory Truth Effect, The

Answer 81

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.

Question 82

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.

Answer 82

Illusory Truth Effect, The

Question 83

The Blue Dot Effect

Answer 83

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.

Question 84

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.

Answer 84

The Blue Dot Effect

Question 85

Antifragility

Answer 85

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.

Question 86

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.

Answer 86

Antifragility