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…
Psychological research methods are the techniques used by scientists and researchers to study human behavior and mental processes. These methods are used to gather empirical evidence. The goal of psychological research methods is to obtain objective and verifiable data collected through scientific experimentation and observation. The research methods that are used in psychology are crucial…
Chunking is a memory technique that involves grouping information into smaller, meaningful clusters that are easier to remember. Breaking down complex information into smaller, more manageable units can help improve memory retention. By organizing information into categories, such as numbers or concepts, we can make it more memorable and increase our ability to recall it…
Negative reinforcement can be used to modify behavior by removing something that a person finds unpleasant or aversive.
Here’s why understanding social influences can provide greater insights into how people think, act, and feel in response to others.
ABCD personality types describe four types of personality based on traits, attitudes, and response to stress.
A Likert scale is often used in psychology research to evaluate information about attitudes, opinions, and beliefs.
Positive reinforcement involves introducing a desired stimulus after a behavior to encourage that behavior. Learn more about how positive reinforcement works.
Personality traits are fairly consistent and predictable patterns of behaviors, thoughts, and feelings. Cardinal traits are dominant personality characteristics that strongly determine a person’s behavior. Such traits are so strong and persistent that the individual becomes associated with that quality. While other personality traits are present earlier in life, cardinal traits become more apparent as…
The fundamental attribution error is a type of cognitive bias that leads people to overemphasize personality and underemphasize situational factors.
If you need to solve a problem, there are a number of different problem-solving strategies that can help you come up with an accurate decision. Sometimes the best choice is to use a step-by-step approach that leads to the right solution, but other problems may require a trial-and-error approach. Why Use Problem-Solving Strategies While you…
Laissez-faire leadership advantages and disadvantages can determine whether this leadership style is effective or not. The advantages of laissez-faire leadership include empowering team members and fostering creativity. The disadvantages can include lower productivity and the potential for confusion. Have you ever had a boss who took a hands-off approach? Who let team members take the…
Autocratic leadership involves the leader taking complete control, not accepting input, and expecting others to follow without question.
Democratic leadership relies on group participation. Learn why this style can be so effective.
Emotions are an essential part of human life, but that doesn’t mean that feeling them is always easy. Many different types of emotions influence our decisions, relationships, and overall satisfaction with life. The emotions we feel can feel intense or sometimes even overwhelming. But being able to identify these feelings, talk about them, and manage…
The psychodynamic approach is rooted in the basic belief that people have unconscious desires, thoughts, feelings, and memories that, while outside of conscious awareness, still influence a person’s behavior.
How much do you know about personality psychology? Put your knowledge to the test with this brief quiz.
The anchoring bias is a type of heuristic that causes people to use the first they learn as a reference point for making future judgments and decisions. This anchoring effect is highly prevalent across a wide range of situations–and it’s also very difficult to overcome. In this article, learn more about what causes the anchoring…
An implicit personality theory is a theory that people form about the traits, characteristics, behaviors, and personalities of other people. When you meet someone new, you form an impression of them, but this first impression is based on very limited information. The impressions that you form are influenced by a variety of factors, including assumptions,…
Conformity involves changing your behavior to align with other people’s behaviors, beliefs, and attitudes. People often conform to blend in with others in their social group. It is a type of social influence that compels people to behave in ways seen as “normal” for that specific group. Researchers define conformity as “aligning one’s attitude, opinion…
