Disorganized attachment is an insecure attachment style characterized by avoidant and fearful behaviors. Also known as fearful-avoidant attachment, this style often stems from abuse, neglect, or trauma in childhood. Disorganized attachment in adults leads to a range of erratic behavior. People may seem disoriented, fearful, and ambivalent in their interactions with their partner. This can…
Kohlberg suggested that moral reasoning emerges in a serious of stages. Learn how the process works.
Short-term memory (STM) is a type of memory that can hold a small amount of information for a limited period of time. The duration and capacity of short-term memory is quite limited, holding between five to nine pieces of information for around 20 to 30 seconds. You’ve probably experienced these limitations yourself many times. Consider…
Sigmund Freud was the famed (and controversial) psychoanalyst who introduced concepts like the Oedipus complex, the ego, the unconscious, and dream interpretation. He was also a prolific writer, publishing literally hundreds of books, essays, and articles during his lifetime. Sigmund Freud’s words on human nature continue to resonate today and offer a glimpse at his…
Psychological freedom, or autonomy, is that sense that you have control over your life and the things that happen to you. Here’s why it matters.
The self-serving bias involves taking credit for our success but blaming others for our failures. It’s why we might boast about our talents and hard work when things go our way but focus on external, situational factors when we don’t live up to expectations. For example, it’s why you might attribute your good score on…
The ingroup bias, also known as in-group favoritism, is the tendency of people to favor their own group above that of others. It causes people to give preferences and privileges to members of their own group while often excluding those from other groups. This bias can have a powerful influence on both individual and group…
Confidence is your belief in yourself and your ability to succeed. It’s not about having a particular set of skills or knowledge—it’s a state of mind that gives you the inner fortitude to take on life’s challenges. Of course, it can sometimes vary from one situation to the next. We don’t always feel as confident…
Stress is an inevitable part of everyday life. It often feels like something we can’t avoid–and sometimes it might feel like something we are powerless to do anything about. We know we are going to experience stress, and the truth is that there are times when we can do little to avoid it. What we…
Assimilation in psychology explains how we integrate new experiences into existing frameworks, shaping how we learn, adapt, and view the world around us.
In psychology, reinforcement refers to a process where behavior is strengthened or increased by the presentation or removal of a stimulus. Types of reinforcement include positive and negative reinforcement. Reinforcement is a key concept in behaviorism, a school of psychology that emphasizes the role of the environment in shaping behavior. According to behaviorists, behavior is…
Extrinsic and intrinsic motivation differ in that extrinsic motivation comes from external rewards, while intrinsic motivation is driven by internal satisfaction. Motivation is crucial in how we behave, perform, and feel. Extrinsic motivation draws upon external factors such as rewards or punishment to drive action, while intrinsic motivation comes from within and involves the internal…
Correlational research is a type of scientific investigation in which a researcher looks at the relationships between variables but does not vary, manipulate, or control them. It can be a useful research method for evaluating the direction and strength of the relationship between two or more different variables. When examining how variables are related to…
Naturalistic observation is a psychological research method that involves observing and recording behavior in the natural environment. Unlike experiments, researchers do not manipulate variables. This research method is frequently used in psychology to help researchers investigate human behavior. This article explores how naturalistic observation is used in psychology. It offers examples and the potential advantages…
Freud’s pleasure principle suggests we’re driven by the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain. Discover how this theory lays the foundation for understanding human behavior and our inner desires.
Scaffolding refers to the temporary support that adults or other competent peers offer when a person is learning a new skill or trying to accomplish a task. The concept was first introduced by the Russian psychologist Lev Vygotsky, who was best known for his theories that emphasized the importance of social interaction in the learning…
An action potential takes place when the voltage of a cell changes, allowing an electrical signal to travel down the axon toward the end of the cell.
The constancy principle suggests that psychic energy strives to stay in a steady, balanced state.
A Likert scale is often used in psychology research to evaluate information about attitudes, opinions, and beliefs.
