Attachment styles are characteristic patterns for how people relate to others in close relationships. According to attachment theory, these styles are heavily influenced by early bonds with caregivers. Researchers have identified four distinct attachment styles: secure attachment, anxious attachment, avoidant…
A schedule of reinforcement is a rule that dictates how and when reinforcement is delivered during operant conditioning training. These schedules outline when to present or remove a reinforcer based on how much time has elapsed or how many responses…
A number of different psychology theories have emerged to explain various aspects of human thought and behavior. Some of these theories are more historical in nature and not supported by current research. In other cases, these theories still play an…
Operant conditioning is a learning process in which the consequences of an action determine the likelihood that the behavior will occur again in the future. This type of learning by association involves the use of reinforcement or punishment to either…
Classical conditioning is a type of associative learning that takes place unconsciously. It works by associating one stimulus with something else that already leads to a response. After an association is formed, the new stimulus will start to produce the…
Personality psychology is a branch of psychology that focuses on understanding different aspects of human personality. The field of personality psychology seeks to understand what causes different personality traits. It also works to understand, diagnose, and treat problems with personality,…
Cognitive dissonance is discomfort or distress caused by conflicting beliefs, behaviors, feelings, ideas, or values. It is an uncomfortable psychological state that people experience when they have an inconsistency between how they think and how they act. This feeling of…
Cognitive bias is an unconscious systematic pattern of thinking that can often result in errors in judgment. These biases stem from the brain’s limited resources and need to simplify the world in order to make faster decisions. Such biases are…
Sigmund Freud suggested that human personality was made up of three key elements. He called these the id, the ego, and the superego. According to Freud, it was the interaction of these three parts of personality that influence how people…
Emotional intelligence is the ability to identify, understand, and manage emotions. This involves not just understanding your own emotions, but also understanding the emotions of other people. Furthermore, emotional intelligence has been described as both a personality trait and an…
