Glossary

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A phenomenon where gradual changes in a system, organization, or environment are normalized over time, leading people to adjust their expectations and perceptions of what is "normal" or acceptable.
A cognitive process that simplifies complex issues by categorizing them into two opposite and mutually exclusive categories. This type of thinking reduces nuanced situations, ideas, or opinions to extremes, such as good or bad, right or wrong, success or failure, with no room for middle ground, ambiguity, or complexity. Also known as dichotomous thinking, 
Techniques, strategies, or practices designed to improve cognitive function, enhance mental performance, or alter states of mind.
The state of having optimal cognitive, emotional, and psychological functioning, supported by a healthy lifestyle, enabling clear thinking, good memory, resilience, and adaptability.
Prioritize helping others without expecting anything in return.
Web content designed to attract attention and encourage visitors to click on a link.
 The use of online platforms and social media to support or advocate for social, political, or environmental causes with minimal effort. Also known as slacktivism.
The presence of different ways of thinking, problem-solving, and perceiving information within a group or organization.
A group of individuals who reside within a geographic area or share common identity, interests, or goals.
The shared values, beliefs, traditions, customs, and social norms that characterize and shape the interactions within a particular group or community. This culture evolves through the collective experiences of the community's members and influences how they communicate, solve problems, and engage with each other and their environment.
The combination of social, economic, environmental, cultural, and political conditions identified by individuals and their communities as essential for them to flourish and fulfill their potential
Derived from the Latin compati (meaning "to suffer with"), is the act of empathy-driven effort to relieve the suffering or distress of others through understanding, care, and action. It reflects a deep awareness of another's pain, accompanied by the desire to ease it.

A representation or abstract idea that help organize and make sense of the world.
An approach to interacting with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds that emphasizes openness, self-awareness, and lifelong learning.  Cultural humility prioritizes a reflective and respectful attitude towards cultural differences and personal biases.
The beliefs, practices, values, traditions, and social behaviors shared by a group of people. It includes elements like language, art, religion, and customs that shape how individuals and communities understand and engage with the world around them.

Raw facts, figures, and details collected from observations, measurements, or recordings that have not yet been processed or interpreted. It can be qualitative or quantitative and serves as the foundational input for analysis and decision-making.
Comes from the Latin word "debatere," meaning "to fight or contend." It refers to a structured argument where individuals present, challenge, and defend different viewpoints on a specific topic.
Means "through words" or "conversation." It refers to the process of exchanging ideas, opinions, or information through spoken or written communication.
Literally means "to shake apart" or "to examine" a topic by breaking it down into its components and exploring different aspects through conversation.
False information deliberately and often covertly spread to influence public opinion or obscure the truth.
A set of principles, beliefs, or doctrines that established as true by an authority.
The belief in one's ability to succeed in a specific situation or task.
The ability to understand and express feelings, adjust to emotional challenges, cope with life's stressors, and enjoy life. 
The ability to understand someone's thoughts, feelings, or reactions to a situation.
 Changes to physical conditions, the natural, or built environment.
A state of living in harmony with your surroundings, where your physical environment supports your health and well-being. It is achieved by minimizing your environmental impact, appreciating the natural world, and is characterized by access to calming sights, soothing sounds, and refreshing smells. It also includes organizing personal spaces in ways that foster peace.

A rapid spread of a disease within a specific population or geographic area over a short time and exceeding the expected number of cases. 
The condition where all individuals have the same rights, status, and opportunities, ensuring fairness and respect in various aspects of life.
The distribution of resources, opportunities, and treatment free from bias or favoritism.
Moral principles that govern a person's behavior or the conducting of an activity.
The study of the origin and historical development of words and how their meanings evolve over time.
Incorrect or misleading data, statements, or facts without the intent to deceive.
A person's satisfaction with their current financial situation and future prospects.
A belief system that suggests that a person's abilities, intelligence, and talents are static traits that cannot be significantly developed or changed.
Acknowledging the support and kindness received from others and the positive impacts on one's life.
A belief system that suggests that abilities, intelligence, and talents can be developed and improved through dedication, effort, and learning.
A type of passion where individuals engage in an activity because they genuinely enjoy it and find it meaningful.
The capacity to envision a potential path toward a better future and to create new or alternate ways to overcome obstacles or adversity. 
Fundamental rights and freedoms that belong to every person, regardless of nationality, race, gender, religion, or any other status. 
The quality of having a modest or low view of one's own importance.
Principles, values, or standards of excellence that individuals or groups aspire to achieve.
The unconscious attitudes, stereotypes, or preferences that influence our judgments and behaviors toward people or situations. These biases are automatic and often operate outside of our conscious awareness, affecting how we perceive and interact with others.
Exchange of messages, information, or meanings that are conveyed without explicit statements, often through nonverbal cues, context, or subtleties in language.
The rapid spread of excessive amounts of information, including both accurate and inaccurate, which can overwhelm and confuse people.
Data or knowledge that provides meaning or understanding about a particular subject. 
A state in which an individual is exposed to more information than they can effectively process or manage.
The process of introducing new methods, ideas, or products into established practices, aiming to solve problems or enhance value.
Deep, often intuitive understandings or realizatons about a particular subject, situation, or problem.
The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles.
Engaging the mind in ways that promote critical thinking, creativity, and lifelong learning. 
The commitment to fairness, compassion, and moral integrity.
The quality or skill of guiding others or showing them the way. 
The process of acquiring knowledge, skills, behaviors, or attitudes through experience, study, or instruction. 
The idea that people make decisions based on the specific information and circumstances they have at the moment, rather than weighing all possible options or long-term effects. What seems logical to them is shaped by their immediate surroundings and limited knowledge.
The idea that individuals make decisions based on what is considered appropriate or acceptable within a given social context, rather than solely based on a calculation of outcomes or utility.
The idea that individuals make decisions based on the anticipated outcomes, benefits, or costs of different options.
Long COVID is a chronic condition in which individuals experience symptoms persisting for at least three months following an initial COVID-19 infection.
Individuals or groups who experience exclusion or disadvantage because the do not share the same characteristics or status as the dominant or majority group.
Conditions that affect a person's thinking, feeling, mood, or behavior.
Cognitive frameworks or representations that individuals create to understand and interpret the world around them.
The overall state of an individual's emotional, psychological, and cognitive health.
False or misleading information that is spread without malicious intention.
Simplified representations used to understand, explain, or predict the behavior of complex systems or concepts.
A psychological process where individuals disconnect their moral standards from their behavior, allowing them to engage in unethical or harmful actions without feeling guild or remorse.
Reframing harmful behavior as serving a higher moral purpose
A cognitive process where individuals rationalize their actions by framing them as morally acceptable or even necessary, despite those actions being harmful or unethical.
Recognizing the inherent dignity, rights, and perspectives of others, where individuals value one another's contributions and acknowledge their differences.
Any interference or distortion that disrupts the clarity, accuracy, or transmission of information.
The unwritten rules or expectations for behavior considered acceptable within a particular  group, community, or society.
The ability to find satisfaction and enrichment in work, alignment with personal values, beliefs, and interests, and maintaining balance between work, family, and leisure.
Willingness to listen to others viewpoints without judgment or bias.
A specific judgement or viewpoint about a topic that reflect personal beliefs or perspectives.
The belief that one can grow and develop even through suffering, loss, and adversity. 
The process of marginalizing a person or group by presenting them as fundamentally difference or inferior bason don identity markers.
The process by which individuals organize and interpret their sensory impressions to give meaning to their environment. 
Pursuit of flawlessness and setting excessively high standards for oneself, often accompanied self-criticism.
Having good physical health routines related to nutrition, exercise, sleep, and appropriate health care.
The perspective shaped by experiences beliefs, values, and biases which influences how people view, interpret, and understand the world, events, or issues.
A post-truth world refers to an environment where objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief.
The state of having insufficient material resources or income to meet basic human needs such as food, shelter, clothing, access to health care or education.
A preconceived opinion or judgment about an individual or group that is not based on reason, experience, or actual knowledge
An individual’s ability to manage and adapt to mental and emotional challenges effectively. It encompasses traits like resilience, optimism, self-efficacy, and resilience, enabling a person to handle stress, solve problems, and maintain well-being even in difficult circumstances.
An environment where individuals feel safe to express themselves, share ideas, ask questions, or admit mistakes without fear of being judged, ridiculed, or punished. It promotes trust, respect, and open communication, enabling people to contribute fully and collaborate effectively.
Uninterupted and refreshing sleep that includes falling asleep within 30-minutes, waking up no more than once during the night, and feeling refreshed in the morning. 
Resilience is the ability to recover from setbacks, adapt to change, and keep going in the face of challenges
The cognitive process of focusing on a particular object, task, or stimulus in the environment while simultaneously ignoring other irrelevant or distracting information.
Sleeping less than 7 hours per 24-hour period.
People who can get six hours of sleep or less most nights and still be refreshed.
The perceived norms of how people treat others within context of the group or a role.
The feeling that you belong to a group and generally feel close to other people.
An idea, norm, or concept that is created and maintained through social interactions and shared understanding within a society or group.
A situation in which individual rationality leads to collective irrationality.
The manipulation of individuals or groups through psychological tactics that exploit fear and anxiety to achieve specific goals. This technique involves creating or emphasizing perceived threats or dangers to influence behavior.
A business or organization that aims to address social, environmental, or community challenges through its operations.
A person's sense of belonging and connection within their community, grounded in authenticity, healthy relationships, meaningful interactions, and feeling valued and supported by their social network. It reflects the quality of positive, genuine engagement with others and the community at large.
The ability to find purpose and meaning in life, living out our moral values, and connecting with something greater that oneself.
Changes to the institutional culture, or changes to the way things are “typically done.”
To grow, develop, or prosper in both favorable and challenging conditions.
The capacity to make experiences intelligible by applying concepts allowing individuals to interpret and organize information meaningfully.
The process of consciously discarding or modifying previously acquired knowledge, beliefs, or behaviors that are no longer accurate, useful, or relevant.
The intentional use of physical force or power, whether threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or a group, which results in or is likely to result in injury, death, psychological harm, or deprivation.
A comprehensive perspective through which an individual interprets and understands the world and their place in it.
A mental state of being fully immersed in an activity, where a person is completely focused, energized, and enjoying the process.  Characteristics of flow include altered sense of time, sense of control, and  merging action and awareness.
A mental attitude or framework that shapes how individuals perceive, interpret, and respond to situations.
A state of well-being and contentment.

An individual who identifies a social, cultural, or environmental problem and creates innovative, sustainable solutions to address.  Social entrepreneurs prioritize social or environmental impact over profit, using business principles to drive positive change and improve the well-being of communities.