Ego strength refers to a person’s 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 …
Have you ever wondered why you feel better when you have control and can do things your way? Autonomy in psychology is all about being independent and having control over your life and your choices. Autonomy isn’t just something that helps you feel empowered—it’s vital to your overall well-being. It can help motivate you, but …
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 …
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 …
Stress is an inevitable part of everyday life. It often feels like something we can’t avoid–and sometimes it might feel like something we are powerless to do anything about. We know we are going to experience stress, and the truth is that there are times when we can do little to avoid it. What we …
Correlational research is a type of scientific investigation in which a researcher looks at the relationships between variables but does not vary, manipulate, or control them. It can be a useful research method for evaluating the direction and strength of the relationship between two or more different variables. When examining how variables are related to …
Naturalistic observation is a psychological research method that involves observing and recording behavior in the natural environment. Unlike experiments, researchers do not manipulate variables. This research method is frequently used in psychology to help researchers investigate human behavior. This article explores how naturalistic observation is used in psychology. It offers examples and the potential advantages …
In classic Freudian psychoanalytic theory, the pleasure principle is the libidinal force behind the id that seeks the immediate gratification of basic urges and needs. If such demands are not met, people may find themselves in a state of anxiety, tension, or discomfort. According to Freud, this is the part of personality that seeks pleasure …
The story of human development is one of remarkable change and growth from birth through the end of life. While the rapid development of early childhood is the subject of a great deal of attention, it is important to remember that growth and change continue throughout the entire lifespan. This study guide focuses on important …
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 …
An action potential takes place when the voltage of a cell changes, allowing an electrical signal to travel down the axon toward the end of the cell.
The constancy principle suggests that psychic energy strives to stay in a steady, balanced state.
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.