According to Piaget, the sensorimotor stage of development occurs during the first two years of a child’s life. During this period of development, children utilize their sensory abilities to learn more about themselves and the world around them. The sensorimotor stage is the first stage in Jean Piaget’s theory of cognitive development. This stage lasts…
In Sigmund Freud’s structural model of the psyche, he described three parts of personality: the id, ego, and superego. The ego is the part of personality that strikes a balance between the primitive urges of the id, the idealistic standards of the superego, and the demands of reality. Freud believed that the ego functions according…
In Sigmund Freud’s theory of personality, the id is the primitive part of human personality that strives to fulfill a person’s most basic, instinctive desires. This part of a personality is part of the unconscious mind. According to Freud, the id operates based on what is known as the pleasure principle. This means that the…
In classical conditioning, the unconditioned stimulus automatically leads to a response. It triggers a response unconditionally without any prior learning. The unconditioned stimulus sets the foundation for forming conditioned responses through associative learning. An unexpected loud noise is one example. You react naturally and automatically when this unconditional stimulus occurs by flinching in surprise. That unlearned…
The Premack Principle is a psychological concept suggesting that high-probability behavior can help reinforce low-probability behavior. In simpler terms, it involves using an enjoyable activity that someone prefers to encourage them to engage in a less enjoyable activity. For example, a teacher might tell students that they have to finish their assignment first, and then…
The recency effect shows how our memory is influenced by the most recent information. Discover how this cognitive bias shapes our perceptions and decision-making.
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 reveals the power of intrinsic motivation in driving human behavior. Discover how autonomy, competence, and relatedness shape our goals, choices, and overall well-being.
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…
Known for their calm demeanor and perfectionist tendencies, Type C personalities often struggle with stress in silence. Learn how this personality type impacts behavior and health, and what it means for personal well-being
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 plays a crucial role in how we cope with life’s challenges. Learn how this psychological concept impacts resilience, self-control, and our ability to navigate stress.
