Binary thinking refers to a simplified mindset where a person sees issues in one of two opposite and mutually separate ways. It may also be referred to as the ‘either-or fallacy’ or the false dichotomy. A person who falls into a binary thinking mindset may fail to understand the nuances of a situation and lack […]
Binary Thinking: 10 Examples And Clear Definition Read More »
The cohort effect refers to a phenomenon where people of the same group (‘cohort’) have shared features that differ from other cohorts. It can refer to age groups, cohort groups in universities, geographical cohorts, and so on. For example, people of a certain age group may share societal and historical experiences that influence their behaviors
Cohort Effect: 10 Examples, Definition, Types Read More »
A guilty pleasure is any thought, activity, or behavior that is personally enjoyable while also evoking feelings of shame or embarrassment. These feelings of shame and embarrassment often stem from a feeling that the activity or thought is: Guilty pleasures can be anything from eating certain types of food to watching television shows or movies
15 Guilty Pleasure Examples Read More »
Functionalism is a theoretical framework in psychology that stresses the adaptive value and purpose of mental processes and behaviors. According to this perspective, human behavior evolved (or ‘adapted’) to help individuals adapt to their environment by performing essential functions necessary for survival. Functionalist psychologists believe that mental processes are instrumental in helping humans interpret and
Functionalism in Psychology: Definition, Examples, Criticism Read More »
Aversive conditioning refers to when an unpleasant stimulus follows a behavior. By associating something aversive with a specific behavior, that behavior will be less likely to occur again. Aversive conditioning is based on the principles of classical conditioning (Pavlov, 1927) and operant conditioning (Thorndike, 1898; Skinner, 1965). Behaviors that are associated with an unpleasant stimulus
Aversive Conditioning: 10 Examples & Definition Read More »
Multimodality refers to the use of several modes in transmitting meaning in a communique. Modes can be linguistic, visual, aural, gestural, or spatial (Kress, 2003). For instance, in a course on composition, an instructor may ask students to utilize multimodal forms of expression. So, in addition to a text-based written composition, modes of expression could
10 Multimodality Examples Read More »
Noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) is a behavior management strategy that involves the delivery of a behavioral reinforcer, independent and regardless of the performance of a specific behavior. It is contrasted to contingent reinforcement, where a reinforcer is contingent upon someone first performing the desired behavior. A noncontingent reinforcer is often used in educational settings, but can
Noncontingent Reinforcement: Examples, Pros and Cons Read More »
Situational factors are the external factors that affect a situation. In psychology, we often consider situational factors as the external factors that affect our personality & behavior. These include simple, everyday things such as being around friends who make you feel comfortable and let you express your true self. However, it also involves serious moral
Situational Factors: Definition and Examples Read More »
According to the functionalist theory of sociology, social function refers to the role performed by an institution, norm, or practice. Durkheim embraces social institutions as they perform social functions that contribute to the stability and maintenance of society. The concept is a central idea in functionalism theory, which sees society as a group of functional
Social Functions: Definition, Types & Examples (Sociology) Read More »
A reinforcement schedule refers to the delivery of a reward (reinforcer) to strengthen a behavior (i.e., make it occur more frequently). There are four types of reinforcement schedules: fixed ratio, variable ratio, fixed interval, and variable interval. Each schedule rewards behavior after a set number of responses (ratio schedules) or after a certain interval of
15 Reinforcement Schedule Examples (Of all Types) Read More »
