Pavlov’s Dogs refers to the groundbreaking experiments conducted by Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, which laid the foundation for the theory of classical conditioning in psychology. These experiments focused on the study of conditioned reflexes, providing a key insight into how learning and […]
Extreme Male Brain theory, proposed by Simon Baron-Cohen, is a concept suggesting that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) might be linked to an exaggerated version of male-typical cognition, characterized by a heightened focus on systemizing and reduced empathizing capabilities. The theory posits that the brains of individuals with ASD tend to […]
Nominative Determinism is a fascinating hypothesis suggesting that people are more likely to choose professions that are fitting or similar to their names. This concept, which straddles the line between coincidence and psychological inclination, posits that the name given to a person at birth can influence their life choices, career […]
Anders Ericsson’s 10000 Hour Rule, popularized by Malcolm Gladwell in his book “Outliers,” posits that achieving mastery in any field requires roughly 10,000 hours of dedicated practice. This concept, while often simplified in public discourse, is rooted in Ericsson’s extensive research into the nature of expertise and performance. Ericsson’s work, […]
The Flynn Effect refers to the observed rise in standardized intelligence test scores over the 20th century, named after the New Zealand intelligence researcher James R. Flynn. This phenomenon suggests that average IQ scores increase by approximately three points per decade, a trend that has been documented in various countries […]
The concept of “Nature via Nurture” explores the dynamic interplay between genetic predispositions (nature) and environmental influences (nurture) on human development and behavior. This theory posits that our genes set the boundaries within which we can operate, and our environment interacts with our genetics to shape the people we become. […]
The Big Five personality traits model is one of the most widely accepted frameworks for understanding human personality. It posits that there are five main dimensions of personality, each representing a range between two extremes. These five factors, often remembered by the acronym OCEAN, are Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and […]
Lawrence Kohlberg’s theory of moral development is a framework that explains the progression of moral reasoning through six developmental stages, grouped into three levels: pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional. Kohlberg built on the work of Jean Piaget and used moral dilemmas, such as the famous “Heinz dilemma,” to study how people […]
Harry Harlow’s monkey experiments, conducted in the 1950s and 1960s, are among the most famous and influential studies in the field of developmental psychology. These experiments explored the importance of caregiving and companionship in social and cognitive development. Harlow’s research focused on rhesus monkeys, specifically examining the effects of maternal […]
The theory of birth order, popularized by psychologists such as Alfred Adler in the early 20th century, suggests that the order in which a child is born within a family can significantly influence their personality, behavior, and even intelligence. This Birth Order theory posits that siblings develop different personality traits, […]
