The law of effect is an important psychological principle based on a pretty simple premise—behaviors that are followed by positive consequences are more likely to be repeated. At the same time, behaviors followed by negative consequences are less likely to be repeated. It was first proposed by psychologist Edward Thorndike and had a significant impact…
In psychology, punishment refers to presenting an aversive stimulus or removing a positive stimulus in response to a behavior to reduce the likelihood of that behavior occurring again. Punishment is a concept within operant conditioning, a behaviorist theory developed by B.F. Skinner. The effectiveness of punishment in modifying behavior can vary, and its use is…
Extinction weakens or eliminates learned behaviors by removing the reinforcement or stimulus that originally triggered them, playing a crucial role in behavior modification. Key Takeaways: What Is Extinction in Psychology? Extinction in psychology refers to the process of reducing or eliminating a learned behavior by removing the reinforcement or consequence that previously followed that behavior….
Incongruence, a psychological mismatch between your self-perception and ideal self, can lead to emotional distress and hinder personal growth. Carl Rogers’ humanistic theory highlights how aligning these aspects is crucial for well-being. Key Takeaways What Is Incongruence? Incongruence, as defined by psychologist Carl Rogers, occurs when there’s a disparity between your perceived self and your…
A psychological construct is a framework used to describe psychological phenomena, such as behavior, emotion, or experience. These things don’t have a physical presence, so they cannot be objectively measured by looking at their size, weight, or appearance. By labeling a construct, researchers can make inferences about these abstract concepts. Constructs are used in psychological…
Working memory is a form of memory that temporarily holds information that a person needs to perform immediate mental tasks. It involves actively processing and manipulating information to perform activities like comprehending information, solving problems, and making decisions. Working memory is an executive function that plays an important role in many cognitive processes. It allows…
Choice blindness is a psychological phenomenon in which people fail to notice a mismatch between their intended choice and the choice presented to them. In other words, it is a surprising tendency to be unaware that our choices and preferences have been changed or manipulated after we’ve already made a choice. This tendency suggests that…
Self-determination theory (SDT) is a framework for understanding human motivation that focuses on the importance of autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Self-determination refers to individuals’ ability to control their actions and make choices aligned with their goals, needs, and values. Intrinsic motivation is another important component of self-determination theory. It is a type of motivation that…
When rewards backfire: how external incentives can drain natural motivation and alter our relationship with things we once loved doing.
The primacy effect is a cognitive phenomenon in which people tend to remember and give more importance to the initial information presented in a series of items, whether it be a list of words, a sequence of events, or other forms of communication. This effect suggests that information presented at the beginning of a series…
You’ve probably heard of the Type A personality and even Type B. You may be less familiar with a type known as the Type C personality type. People with this type are often analytical and detail-oriented. However, they are also more introverted and prone to experiencing higher levels of stress and anxiety. Type C personality…
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…
Ego strength is the ability to effectively deal with the demands of reality while maintaining a sense of self. It involves qualities like resilience, adaptability, and the capacity to handle stress without causing problems with a person’s identity. People who possess good ego strength are able to manage the adversity they face in life. They…
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…
Latent learning refers to learning that is not immediately displayed. Essentially, it learning that happens as you live your life. You might not consciously try to notice and remember it, but your brain picks it up anyway. While you might not demonstrate such learning right away, it’s something that might come in handy later when…
Incentive theory of motivation suggests that people are motivated by a need to obtain rewards or reinforcements. Rooted in behaviorism, this theory suggests that motivation arises from the desire to obtain rewards and avoid punishments. Incentive theory is just one of many theories psychologists have proposed to explain human motivation. Understanding this theory can give…
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…
