If you are learning all about Erik Erikson’s stages of development, it can be really helpful to have a psychosocial summary chart. We have a free, printable chart available that briefly summarizes each stage, the approximate ages at which each stage takes place, as well as the possible outcomes that can take place at each…
Both classical conditioning and operant are central to behaviorism, but students often get confused about the differences between the two. Classical and operant conditioning are both types of learning that involve learning by association. However, there are important differences between the two. The main difference between classical conditioning and operant conditioning is that classical conditioning…
Believing in your ability to succeed can make all the difference. Explore how self-efficacy shapes confidence, motivation, and achievement.
If you have ever had to write a paper for one of your psychology classes, then you probably know that choosing psychology paper topics can sometimes be tricky. Fortunately, there are plenty of great topics for psychology research papers to help you finish your assignment. Keep reading to learn more about how to find topics…
Some of the most well-known psychologists in history have played a key role in shaping our understanding of the human mind and behavior. Many of them were also philosophers, educators, and therapists, contributing to multiple areas of study. Some introduced theories that are considered controversial, but their ideas have had a lasting influence on the…
Intrinsic motivation involves a driving force behind behavior that emerges from within rather than as a result of external reward. In other words, it is a type of motivation that involves doing things because you find them naturally satisfying or doing things for their own sake because you find them enjoyable. Intrinsic motivation is usually contrasted…
Structuralism, an early school of thought in psychology, aimed to decompose the human mind into its most basic components. By analyzing individual elements of consciousness, it sought to understand the structure of mental processes. Key Takeaways What Is Structuralism in Psychology? Structuralism is an early school of psychology founded by Wilhelm Wundt and popularized by…
In Piaget’s theory of cognitive development, accommodation refers to the process by which people alter their existing schemas or create new schemas as a result of new learning. This is part of the adaptation process. Old schemas may be changed and, in some cases, entirely new schemas may be formed. How Accommodation Works Piaget’s theory…
Random selection refers to a process that researchers use to pick participants for a study. When using this method, every single member of a population has an equal chance of being chosen as a subject. This process is an important research tool used in psychology research, allowing scientists to create representative samples from which conclusions…
Definition: Expectancy effects refer to changes in behavior that occur simply because the participant in an experiment believes that their behavior should change. In other words, people sometimes change how they act in certain situations simply because they think that their behavior is supposed to change. Researchers often utilize placebo control groups to determine if…
Why do some people choose to give up their time, money, or even safety to help other people? According to the U.S. Department of Labor, 30% of adults in the United States spend some time volunteering to help others each year. According to many psychologists, it is compassion that drives people to reach out and…
A mindset is a set of beliefs about yourself that shape how you interpret and interact with the world around you. These belief systems not only impact your behavior but also influence your ability to reach your goals. These results support the previous findings of psychologist Carol Dweck. Dweck’s work suggests that praising children for…
It’s no secret that your environment can play a crucial role in both your physical and mental health. One new study suggests that living near a forest is linked to a healthier brain structure. How Nature Impacts the Brain The study, published in Scientific Reports, examines how proximity to nature impacts the brain. Previous research…
What is the biggest phobia that you face? Phobias are one of the most common types of mental disorders. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, around 12.5% of U.S. adults experience symptoms of one or more specific phobias during their lifetime. The American Psychiatric Association reports that phobias are the most common psychiatric…
Positive thinking has been shown to have powerful effects on both mental health and physical well-being. Keeping that sunny perspective doesn’t always come easy, though. Life gets hectic and stressful, so sometimes, it’s all to easy to lose perspective. Looking on the brightside is hard when times are tough or when it feels like things…
Child development theories are focused on understanding and explaining how kids change throughout childhood. Some of these theories focus on the developmental milestones, or specific achievements children reach by a certain age. Others focus on aspects of child development, such as personality, cognition, and moral growth. Psychologists and development researchers have proposed several theories to…
Self-actualization involves reaching your full potential as an individual. Learn more about how you can become a more self-actualized person.
Cognitive psychology reveals the inner workings of the mind, from how we process information to how we make decisions. Discover the science behind our mental processes.
Random assignment means that every participant has the same chance of being chosen for the experimental or control group. It involves using procedures that rely on chance to assign participants to groups. Doing this means that every participant in a study has an equal opportunity to be assigned to any group. For example, in a…
Psychological perspectives represent different ways of thinking about how people behave. Some of the main psychological perspectives that have emerged to help scientists study and understand human thought and actions include: Some psychologists take a single approach in their research. For example, a cognitive psychologist might utilize a cognitive perspective when analyzing human problems. Researchers…
