The Blank Slate: Pinker Flashcards
THE BLANK SLATE - PINKER
- What is the Blank Slate hypothesis, and why does Pinker think it is misguided?
What is the other name for this idea and where is it from?
The Blank Slate hypothesis posits that humans are born with empty minds, and all of their behavior is learned through environmental factors. Pinker thinks it is misguided because it overlooks the role of genetics in shaping human behavior.
The idea of tabula rasa, or the “blank slate,” is often attributed to the philosopher John Locke, who argued that the human mind at birth is like a blank sheet of paper, with no innate ideas or predispositions. This idea has been influential in many fields, including psychology, where it has been used to argue that all human behavior is learned and that individuals are infinitely malleable.
THE BLANK SLATE - PINKER
- How does Pinker argue against the idea that humans are born as a blank slate?
Pinker argues that humans are born with innate cognitive and emotional capabilities that shape their behavior, and these capabilities are influenced by genetics.
THE BLANK SLATE - PINKER
- What is the concept of the “noble savage,” and how does it relate to the Blank Slate hypothesis?
Where does this phrase come from?
The “noble savage” is the idea that primitive cultures are inherently good and that civilization corrupts them. It relates to the Blank Slate hypothesis because both ideas suggest that human behavior is entirely shaped by environment and culture.
The concept of the noble savage, or the idea that humans are naturally good and that civilization corrupts them, has been attributed to a number of thinkers, including Jean-Jacques Rousseau and the Romantic poets. This idea has been used to argue against the view that human nature is inherently violent or aggressive.
THE BLANK SLATE - PINKER
- What does Pinker mean by ‘behaviourism in genetics’ and what are some of the limitations of behaviorism as an explanation for human behavior?
In “The Blank Slate,” Pinker uses the term to refer to the idea that all behaviors are determined by genes and that the environment has little or no influence on behavior. This view is similar to the behaviorist school of psychology, which posits that all behavior is learned through the environment, rather than being innate or genetically determined.
Behaviorism overlooks the role of internal mental states and emotions in shaping behavior, and it fails to account for the role of genetics in behavior.
Pinker argues that this view is overly simplistic and ignores the complex interplay between genes and the environment in shaping behavior. He notes that while genes play a role in determining certain aspects of behavior, such as personality traits, intelligence, and temperament, they do not determine behavior in an absolute sense. Environmental factors, such as upbringing, education, and social context, also play a crucial role in shaping behavior.
Pinker’s critique of “behaviourism in genetics” is part of his broader argument against the Blank Slate view of human nature, which holds that all human behavior is learned and that individuals are infinitely malleable. He argues that this view is contradicted by the evidence from genetics, neuroscience, and evolutionary biology, which suggest that humans have innate predispositions and that biology and culture interact in complex ways to shape behavior.
THE BLANK SLATE - PINKER
- What is the concept of the “ghost in the machine,” and why does Pinker argue that it is an inaccurate view of human nature?
Where originates?
The “ghost in the machine” refers to the belief in a non-physical soul that directs human behavior. Pinker argues that it is inaccurate because there is no evidence for a non-physical soul, and human behavior is better explained by the interactions of physical brain processes.
Descartes believed in the idea of mind-body dualism, which posits that the mind and body are separate entities that interact with each other. He argued that the mind was non-physical and immortal, while the body was physical and mortal.
THE BLANK SLATE - PINKER
- How does the field of genetics shed light on the role of nature vs. nurture in human development?
Genetics research shows that nature and nurture both play a role in human development, and that many complex behaviors are influenced by both genetics and environmental factors.
THE BLANK SLATE - PINKER
- What is the difference between “emergentism” and “reductionism” when it comes to explaining human behavior?
Emergentism = behaviour arising from c………
Reductionism = breaking human behaviour down into imerlsp otscmnenop (e.g: ..?)
In terms of human behavior, emergentism suggests that complex social phenomena, such as group decision-making or cultural practices, emerge from the interactions of individuals and social structures. For example, the emergence of cultural norms, values, and beliefs arises from the interactions of individuals within a society. Behaviour emerging from complexity.
On the other hand, reductionism might attempt to explain human behavior by breaking it down into simpler components such as physiological or neurological processes. For instance, reductionism could explain the experience of happiness by analyzing the underlying neurotransmitters and brain regions involved in generating that emotion. Reductive view of behaviour (e.g genetic explanation).
THE BLANK SLATE - PINKER
- What is the concept of the “language instinct,” and how does it support Pinker’s arguments about innate human abilities?
The “language instinct” is the idea that humans are born with an innate capacity for language acquisition. It supports Pinker’s arguments about innate human abilities because it suggests that humans have specific cognitive capacities that are not entirely learned.
THE BLANK SLATE - PINKER
- How does the study of evolutionary psychology inform our understanding of human behavior?
Evolutionary psychology explores the ways in which human behavior has evolved to help us survive and reproduce, and it sheds light on many aspects of human psychology and behavior.
THE BLANK SLATE - PINKER
- What is the “standard social science model,” and why does Pinker argue that it is inadequate?
The standard social science model is the idea that all humans have the s… b…. co…… and em……. abilities, and that differences in behavior are entirely the result of c……. i……… . Pinker argues that it is inadequate because it overlooks the role of g……. in shaping behavior and does not account for individual differences in c…….. a…….. .
The standard social science model is the idea that all humans have the same basic cognitive and emotional abilities, and that differences in behavior are entirely the result of cultural influences. Pinker argues that it is inadequate because it overlooks the role of genetics in shaping behavior and does not account for individual differences in cognitive abilities.
THE BLANK SLATE - PINKER
- How do cultural differences affect the way humans think and behave?
Cultural differences can influence everything from basic perceptual processes to higher-level cognitive abilities and emotional responses.
THE BLANK SLATE - PINKER
- What is the role of culture in shaping human behavior?
Culture can influence everything from basic perceptual processes to higher-level cognitive abilities and emotional responses, and it shapes the way we interact with the world and with each other.
THE BLANK SLATE - PINKER
- How does the concept of “modularity” help to explain the structure of the human mind?
The concept of modularity suggests that the mind is composed of specialized cognitive modules that are designed to perform specific functions, such as language acquisition or face recognition.
THE BLANK SLATE - PINKER
- What are some criticisms of Pinker’s arguments in The Blank Slate?
(Overemphasises g……. / underplays en……….. f……. )
Some critics argue that Pinker overemphasizes the role of genetics in human behavior and downplays the importance of environmental factors. Others argue that his arguments about gender and race may be influenced by social and cultural biases.
THE BLANK SLATE - PINKER
- How does Pinker address the idea of “tabula rasa” in relation to language acquisition?
Pinker argues that the “tabula rasa” view of language acquisition is inaccurate because children are born with innate linguistic abilities that guide their language development.
