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1. Learning: insight

Pi is stranded on a lifeboat with the orangutan named Orange Juice and the injured zebra. Pi notices Orange juice experiencing sea sickness and feels compassion for him. Pi says, “I’m sorry Orange Juice I don’t have any medicine for your sea sickness”. He suddenly realizes in a flash that supplies are on life boats and searches and finds them.

This is an example of learning by insight which is the sudden understanding of a problem which implies a solution. Pi understands in a flash of insight that there may be survival supplies on the lifeboat to aide them in a seemingly hopeless dilemma.

2. Learning: classical conditioning

Pi blows a whistle and at the same time rocks the lifeboat. The rocking of the boat causes the tiger to experience sea sickness. Pi repeats the blowing of the whistle and rocking of the boat in an attempt to docile the tiger.

This is an example of classical conditioning; a type of learning where an organism learns to associate one stimulus with another. The pairing or association of the unconditional stimulus (rocking of the boat) and the neutral stimulus (whistle) can create a conditioned stimulus (whistle) and a conditioned response (tiger experiencing sea sickness).

3. Memory: episodic memory

Pi tells the writer about how he got the name Pi. Pi tells him about when as a young child he was in the playground of his school. Pi is being mocked and teased about his name Pascine by the other children at school. Pi also talked about how the teachers would unintentionally use his name in a way that caused the children to continue mocking and teasing him.

This is an example of episodic memory which is the type of declarative memory within long-term memory that records events as they have been subjectively experienced. Pi gives great details of this childhood experience as if reading from a diary of his life.

4. Memory: retrieval

Pi is writing the mathematical calculation for Pi (3.14) on three blackboards at school. Pi is determined to make his self-acclaimed name, “Pi”, known and used by everyone at school instead of being called by his birth name Pascine.

This is an example of the final process of memory called retrieval. Retrieval is the process of bringing to mind information that has been stored in long-term memory. The class cheers Pi on and the teachers are amazed, surprised, and impressed with his ability to accurately recall the calculations of Pi (3.14).

5. Human Development: Authoritative parenting

At the dining table Pi’s father instructs Pi on the importance of thinking rationally after he observes Pi praying before eating. Pi’s father tells him he’d rather Pi believe in one thing his father doesn’t choose to believe than Pi believe in “everything blank”. Pi’s mother agrees with his father. After explaining he states, “Do you understand?” Pi replies, “Yes father.”

This is an example of authoritative parenting where parents set high but realistic and reasonable standards, enforce limits, and encourage open communication and independence. Pi’s father gives Pi instructions to life as a loving and caring guide rather than an authority of obedience.

6. Human Development: puberty

Pi is shown older in age reading a book near the ocean. He is narrating how restless and bored he is and then he meets a girl named Anandi while playing music for the girl’s dance class. Pi stares at Anandi gazingly.

This is an example of puberty; a period of several years in which rapid growth and physiological changes occur, culminating sexual maturity. Pi has grown physically and is interested in a girl and seems to be emotionally attracted to her at the moment he sees her.

7. States of Consciousness: sleep deprivation

Pi is hanging from the lifeboat on a stick and he is desperately trying to stay awake. After many hours of staying awake on the stick Pi’s head collapses in the water from exhaustion.

This is an example of sleep deprivation which leads to lapses in concentration and emotional irritability. Sleep deprivation is a condition of not having enough sleep causing physical and neurologic dysfunction. Pi’s neurological functioning was affected in his motor skills and balance and is a reason his head fell into the water.

8. Social Psychology: frustration-aggression hypothesis

Pi is trying to catch fish to feed the tiger name Richard Parker. Pi has never fished and it has been difficult for him to catch any fish. Richard Parker jumps in the water desperate to catch fish or anything to eat. After not being able to catch any fish Richard Parker comes toward Pi in the raft. Pi hurriedly pulls his raft towards the boat, jumps in the boat, and pulls his raft inside the boat so the tiger can’t get back into the boat. He then gets an axe and goes to kill Richard Parker.

This is an example of the frustration-aggression hypothesis which is the hypothesis that frustration produces aggression. Aggression being the intentional infliction of physical or psychological harm on others. Pi was frustrated with his destitute dilemma. Pi was frustrated he couldn’t catch any fish for the hungry Richard Parker who would eat him if Pi didn’t feed him. Pi’s frustration turned to aggression towards the tiger.

9. Personality: self-actualization

Pi is in his self-made raft and reflects on his life. Pi states how the little things like a small piece of shade, a pencil, knife, and bucket can become some of his greatest treasures. Pi says that Richard Parker and he are more alike than different. Pi says that the fear of the tiger kept him alive and how attending to Richard Parker’s needs have given him a purpose to live.

This is an example of self-actualization. Self-actualization is developing to one’s fullest potential. Pi believes he must care for Richard Parker, his only companion.

10. Neuroscience: Sympathetic Nervous System

A storm brings high winds and heavy rain pours. The lifeboat is thrust around and Pi and Richard Parker are thrown out of the lifeboat. Although they are very tired and weak they manage to pull the strength to get back onto the boat.

This is an illustration of the sympathetic nervous system. The division of the autonomic nervous system that mobilizes the body resources during stress and emergencies, preparing the body for action. Pi and Richard Parker are malnourished and unhealthy and are able to get back into the lifeboat because of the bodies preparation towards the action to “fight”.