Classical Conditioning: How Associations Shape Automatic Responses
Classical conditioning is a learning process in which a previously neutral cue comes to elicit a response after repeated pairing with a stimulus that already…
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Psychology
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Bystander Effect: When the Presence of Others Reduces Helping
The bystander effect describes conditions in which individuals may be less likely to intervene when other potential helpers are present, often because responsibility diffuses or…
Read articleOperant Conditioning: How Consequences Shape Behavior
Operant conditioning describes how the consequences that follow behavior change the probability that the behavior will occur again.
Read articleGroupthink: How Cohesive Teams Can Suppress Doubt and Make Bad Decisions
Groupthink is a framework describing how pressure for consensus in cohesive decision groups can discourage dissent, reduce search for alternatives, and create overconfidence under certain…
Read articlePositive Reinforcement: How Adding a Reward Changes Behavior
Positive reinforcement increases the future probability of a behavior by adding a consequence the individual values after the behavior occurs.
Read articleReciprocity Psychology: Why Favors Create Social Pressure to Return Value
Reciprocity is a social norm in which people often feel pressure to return benefits, concessions, help, or cooperation received from others.
Read articleNegative Reinforcement vs Punishment: The Difference Most People Get Wrong
Negative reinforcement increases behavior by removing or reducing an aversive condition after the behavior, whereas punishment aims to reduce behavior.
Read articleCognitive Load: Why Working Memory Limits Change Learning and Decision-Making
Cognitive load refers to the mental demand placed on limited working-memory resources during learning, reasoning, and task performance.
Read articleReinforcement Schedules: Why Timing and Predictability Change Behavior
Reinforcement schedules specify when consequences are delivered after behavior, and different schedules can produce different rates, patterns, and persistence of responding.
Read articleIntrinsic vs Extrinsic Motivation: Why the Source of Motivation Matters
Intrinsic motivation involves engaging in an activity for inherent interest or satisfaction, while extrinsic motivation involves acting for separable outcomes such as pay, grades, status,…
Read articleSelf-Determination Theory: 3 Needs and 6 Mini-Theories
PSYCHOLOGY • MOTIVATION • EVIDENCE Self-Determination Theory: 3 Needs and 6 Mini-Theories Self-Determination Theory (SDT) explains why two people can perform the same behavior with…
Read articleExpectancy Theory of Motivation: Why Effort Depends on Expected Outcomes
Expectancy theory explains motivation as a function of whether people believe effort can produce performance, performance can produce outcomes, and those outcomes are valuable.
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