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Tabula Rasa

Definition

Tabula Rasa is Latin for "blank slate." It refers to the idea that individuals are born without built-in mental content and that all their knowledge comes from experience or perception.

Related terms

Innate Ideas: These are ideas that are present in the mind from birth (the opposite of tabula rasa). They're like pre-installed software on your computer.

Empiricism: Again, this theory emphasizes experience as the primary source of knowledge. If tabula rasa is your blank hard drive, empiricism would be adding files to it through experiences.

Behaviorism: This psychological approach suggests all behaviors are learned through interaction with environment. Like programming responses into a robot based on different inputs or situations.

"Tabula Rasa" appears in:

Subjects (2)

  • AP European History

  • AP World History: Modern

Study guides (1)

  • AP US History - 3.4 Philosophical Foundations of the American Revolution

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About Us

About Fiveable

Blog

Careers

Code of Conduct

Terms of Use

Privacy Policy

CCPA Privacy Policy

Resources

Cram Mode

AP Score Calculators

Study Guides

Practice Quizzes

Glossary

Cram Events

Merch Shop

Crisis Text Line

Help Center

© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.