Psychology Glossary (A to Z)
Written and peer-reviewed by PhD-Level Academics
Accommodation and Assimilation
Definition: Accommodation and assimilation are terms from cognitive theory refer to the processes of adding and amending information in mental schema.
Attachment Theory
Definition: Attachment theory explores the stages of relationships between caregivers and their children and proposes a range of attachment styles.
Attribution Theory
Definition: Attribution theory believes that people attempt to understand events and actions by (often mistakenly) attributing intentions, beliefs, and feelings to the events.
Classical Conditioning
Definition: Classical conditioning refers to learned behaviors that occur when a neutral stimulus is associated with a learned response.
Cognitive Bias
Definition: A cognitive bias is a mental shortcut (also known as a heuristic) leading to an unconscious error in thinking.
Concrete Operational Stage of Development
Definition: The concrete operational stage is the third stage in Piaget’s stages of cognitive development typically occurring between ages 7 and 12.
Crystallized Intelligence
Definition: Crystallized intelligence refers to the knowledge and skills a person develops throughout their lifespan. It is opposed to fluid intelligence, which refers to on-the-spot problem-solving intelligence.
Fixed Ratio Schedules
Definition: A fixed ratio schedule of reinforcement is a rewards schedule when a reward is delivered after a specific number of responses.
Fluid Intelligence
Definition: Fluid intelligence is the ability to solve newly encountered problems based on logic and reason.
Formal Operational Stage of Development
Definition: The formal operational stage is the fourth and final stage in Piaget’s theory of cognitive development that occurs from the ages of 11 and up.
Functional Fixedness
Definition: Functional fixedness refers to rigidity in problem-solving, characterized by a tendency to think of things only in terms of their usual functions.
Higher Order Conditioning
Definition: Higher-order conditioning occurs when a second conditioned stimulus becomes associated with an initial conditioned stimulus and evokes an unconditioned response by itself. Confused? This article will clear it up.
Intrinsic Motivation
Definition: Intrinsic motivation occurs when you do a task without any external incentives.
Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development
Definition: Kohlberg devised a theory of moral development which postulates that moral reasoning passes through six stages from early childhood to adulthood.
Locus of Control
Definition: An external locus of control refers to the belief that actions do not control outcomes. An internal locus of control refers to the belief that your actions can influence outcomes.
Metacognitive Theory
Definition: Metacognitive Theory is a theory of knowledge that is interested in how humans can actively monitor and regulate their own thought processes.
Moral Relativism
Definition: Moral relativism is a view that rejects the existence of any objective, absolute or universal moral truths that govern our morality.
Operant Conditioning
Definition: Operant conditioning explains how people and animals develop learned responses through the repetition of reinforcements and punishments.
Positive Reinforcement
Definition: Positive reinforcement is a concept from conditioning theory that refers to the use of rewards and praise to encourage repetition of desired behaviors.
Preoperational Stage of Development
Definition: The preoperational stage is the second stage in Jean Piaget’s theory of cognitive development. This stage is from ages 2 to 7 years old.
Rehearsal (Elaborative and Maintenance)
Definition: Elaborative rehearsal refers to strategies for committing information to long-term memory. Maintenance rehearsal is for short-term memory.
Reverse Psychology
Definition: Reverse psychology refers to a persuasion technique in which one person tries to get someone to do something by suggesting that they do the opposite.
Schema
Definition: A cognitive schema is a mental framework that organizes information in the mind. It is a packet of mental information that categorizes objects and concepts.
Selective Attention
Definition: Selective attention refers to the ability to intentionally focus awareness on specific aspects of a situation or information and drown out other information.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Definition: Self-actualization is the realization or fulfillment of one’s full talents and potentialities. It is the process of fully developing oneself physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Self-Determination Theory
Definition: Self-determination theory (SDT) is a theory of motivation. ‘Self-determination’ is the sense that we are on control of our own lives and choices, are motivated, and can meet our potential.
Sensorimotor Stage of Development
Definition: According to Piaget, the sensorimotor stage of development is a child’s first stage of development. This stage lasts from birth to 2 years old.
Social Penetration Theory
Definition: Social penetration theory explores stages of relationship progression and what happens in each stage.
Sublimation
Definition: Sublimation involves channeling unwanted or disturbing thoughts, impulses or desires into something positive and constructive.
Vicarious Punishment
Definition: Vicarious punishment is when one person observes another person (the model) being punished after doing something.
