Irving Janis’ theory of Groupthink is a critical concept in social psychology that describes the process by which a group can make poor or irrational decisions as a result of group pressures. Introduced in the 1970s, Groupthink occurs when the desire for harmony or conformity in the group results in […]
The Bystander Effect Theory, a pivotal concept in social psychology, elucidates the phenomenon where individuals are less likely to offer help to a victim when other people are present. First identified by social psychologists Bibb Latané and John Darley following the infamous 1964 Kitty Genovese murder in New York City, […]
Prospect Theory, developed by Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky in 1979, revolutionized the field of economics and psychology by introducing a realistic way of understanding how people make decisions under risk and uncertainty. This theory contrasts with the classical economic theory of expected utility, which assumes that individuals act rationally […]
Roy Baumeister’s theory of ego depletion refers to the idea that self-control and willpower draw upon a limited pool of mental resources that can be used up. When the energy for mental activity is depleted, self-control is typically impaired, which can affect a person’s ability to make decisions, focus, and […]
Peter Wason’s confirmation bias theory is a cornerstone in the field of cognitive psychology, highlighting a fundamental human tendency to prefer information that confirms existing beliefs or hypotheses while disregarding evidence that contradicts them. Introduced in the 1960s through his seminal card selection task and the 2-4-6 task, Wason’s experiments […]
William James (1842–1910) was a pioneering American psychologist and philosopher, often referred to as the “Father of American psychology.” Born in New York City into an intellectually vibrant family, James initially pursued an education in medicine at Harvard University, receiving his medical degree in 1869. Despite never practicing medicine, his […]
Demasio’s Emotional Decision Making – Antonio Damasio’s theory of emotional decision-making significantly advances our understanding of the interplay between emotions and rational thought in the decision-making process. Central to Damasio’s work is the “somatic marker hypothesis,” which posits that emotions and feelings, generated by bodily states, are crucial in guiding […]
The James-Lange Theory of Emotion, proposed independently by psychologist William James and physiologist Carl Lange in the late 19th century, marks a foundational shift in understanding emotions. This theory posits that emotions result from our perceptions of bodily reactions to stimuli, rather than being the cause of those reactions. In […]
Jean Piaget (1896–1980) was a Swiss psychologist whose pioneering work in developmental psychology transformed understanding of how children’s minds develop and learn. Born in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, Piaget showed an early interest in the natural sciences, publishing his first scientific paper on albino sparrows at the age of 11. His early […]
Leon Festinger’s Cognitive Dissonance Theory, demonstrated through the famous “boring task” experiment in 1959, is a cornerstone in social psychology. Festinger and Carlsmith conducted this experiment to explore the relationships between attitudes, behaviours, and cognitive dissonance. Cognitive dissonance refers to the uncomfortable tension that comes from holding two conflicting thoughts […]
