Human Experiences

Human qualities

A distinctive attribute or characteristic possessed by someone. Eg. leadership, self-control, dependability, patience.

Stereotypes

A generalisation usually exaggerated or oversimplified and often offensive, that is used to describe or distinguish a group or individual from that group.

Perspective

An individual or community's point of view of a story or situation that is determined by one's experiences and understanding of the world.

Anomalies

Behaviour and motivations outside the norms and conventions of a particular social context. A deviation from what is normal, an irregularity.

Paradoxes

Behaviour and motivations which on the surface, do not make sense. Often expressed through a statement that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality, expresses a possible truth. Eg. Failure leads to success or the more choices we have, the harder it is to choose.

Inconsistencies

Behaviours and motivations that change in some way that suggests irregularity of unsteadiness.

Intellectual experiences

Decisions and experiences based on analysis and logic rather than emotions.

Individual human experiences

Events and occurrences in a person's life.

Physical experiences

Events or occurrences perceived through the sense and body as opposed to the mind. Eg. testing the self against nature, violence, sporting competitions.

Psychological experiences

Experiences related to the mental and emotional state of an individual that arise in the mind.

Collective experiences

Experiences that are shared by members of a group.

Social experiences

Human experiences based on relationships and involving interaction and connection.

Emotional experiences

Responses to experiences arising from an individual's circumstances, mood or relationships with others that evoke strong feelings such as fear, anger, sadness, grief, joy, disgust, trust, anticipation, expectation and/or dread.

Polarisation

The division into two sharply contrasting groups or sets of opinions or beliefs.

Society

A community of people who share customs, laws, and organisations.

Spiritual experiences

Life events or experiences that can be had in religious and non-religious contexts often stirring powerful emotions that affect an individual's beliefs, emotions and relationships regarding religion or spirituality.

Bias

Prejudice in favour of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another, usually in a way considered to be unfair.

Logic

Rational thinking and applying reason.

Assumptions

Something that is accepted as true or as certain to happen, without proof

Syntax

The arrangement of words and phrases to create a sentence.

SPPIES acronym

The dimensions or categories of human experience: spiritual, physical, psychological, intellectual, emotional, social. All human experiences will involve most, if not all of these aspects in one way or another.

Human experiences

The realities of human existence including the mental, emotional, spiritual and physical characteristics of human life resulting from an event or occurrence that leaves an impression upon an individual or group.

Context

The set of circumstances or facts that surround a particular event, situation. When studying a text it includes the range of personal, social, historical, cultural and workplace conditions in which a text is responded to and composed.