Vicarious Learning: How We Learn By Watching Others
Learning doesn’t always happen through direct experience. Vicarious learning shows how observing others can teach us valuable lessons and shape behavior.
Situational Leadership Theory: Why Great Leaders Adapt Styles
Situational leadership theory argues that there’s no single best way to lead; instead, the most effective leaders adjust their approach based on their team’s needs and the task at hand. Discover how this flexible style is redefining leadership success.
Affinity Bias: Why Do We Like People Who Are Like Us?
Affinity bias—our tendency to favor those who remind us of ourselves—can subtly shape hiring, friendships, and even everyday decisions. Here’s why recognizing it is the first step to building fairer, more inclusive environments.
What Are Cognitive Functions in the MBTI?
The mind is made up of eight cognitive functions, each influencing how we think, feel, and experience the world. Here’s how each function shapes the personality types of the Myers-Briggs framework.
Sensing vs. Intuition: Understanding These Core MBTI Preferences
Do you trust hard facts or prefer reading between the lines? Sensing and intuition reveal two distinct ways people process information and make sense of the world.
ENTJ Personality Traits: Key Traits, Strengths, and Weaknesses
Bold, driven, and natural-born leaders, ENTJs bring energy and ambition to every challenge. Discover the key traits that set this powerhouse personality apart.
Extraverted Intuition: How to Tell If You’re an Ne Type
Learn how extraverted intuition fuels creativity, pattern recognition, and adaptability, while also influencing decision-making and mental health.
Source Traits and Surface Traits: Key Differences
Discover the hidden personality patterns that shape our behavior and how these core qualities manifest in unexpected ways in our daily lives.
Group Norms: 25 Examples and Their Impact
Group norms are a set of rules and expectations that lay out how members of a group are expected to behave. These norms can be either informal (unwritten) or formal (written).
Comparative Psychology: Definition, Examples, and Research
What studying animal behavior can tell us.
Ecological Theory: Bronfenbrenner’s Five Systems
Learn how Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory explains the impact of different environments on human development.
Vygotsky’s Social Development Theory
Vygotsky’s social development theory highlights the critical role of social interactions and cultural tools in shaping children’s cognitive abilities, emphasizing learning through collaboration and guidance. Key Takeaways What is Vygotsky’s Social Development Theory? Vygotsky’s social development theory suggests that children’s cognitive growth is deeply influenced by social interactions and cultural tools, with learning best facilitated…
What Are the 16 Personality Factors?
The 16 Personality Factors (16PF) are a framework for understanding personality traits introduced by psychologist Raymond Cattell. This theory is based on the idea that there are 16 basic personality dimensions. Cattell also suggested that these dimensions could be measured using self-report questionnaires and other methods. Cattell’s theory is one of the many ways of…
Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development
Kohlberg suggested that moral reasoning emerges in a serious of stages. Learn how the process works.
Thorndike’s Law of Effect: Definition and Examples
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…
What Is Self-Determination Theory?
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…
Incentive Theory of Motivation: Definition and Uses
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…
Psychoanalysis: Meaning and Examples
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.
Implicit Personality Theory
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,…
4 Styles of Attachment: Signs, Effects, and Quiz
Our attachment styles shape how we connect, trust, and build relationships. Discover the different styles and how they impact love, friendships, and self-image.