What term describes the belief that the human mind is essentially empty at birth?

The term that describes the belief that the human mind is essentially empty at birth is "tabula rasa." This concept, which translates from Latin to "blank slate," suggests that individuals are born without built-in mental content and that all knowledge comes from experience or perception. The idea supports the view that education and environment play crucial roles in shaping an individual's abilities and thoughts.

Innate ability refers to the skills or talents that one is born with, implying that some knowledge or abilities are pre-existing rather than acquired through experience. A growth mindset refers to the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work, while a fixed mindset suggests that these traits are static and cannot change. These alternative concepts differ significantly in their implications for learning and development compared to the notion of tabula rasa, which emphasizes the potential for knowledge acquisition through life experiences.