Patient talking with his therapist

Theories of Psychology

Understand the intricacies to the science of the mind. Learn how the many branches of psychology differ from one another and how and where they overlap.
Woman with daughter on her shoulders
Nature vs. Nurture: Genes or Environment?
Reviewed by David Susman, PhD
List of mental disorders
A List of Psychological Disorders
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Sigmund Freud In Home Office At Desk
Freud's Theory of the Id in Psychology
Reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW
Industrial-organizational psychology
Industrial-Organizational Psychology Definition
Reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW
man and woman looking at trinkets while traveling
The Focus of Cross-Cultural Psychology
Fact checked by Emily Swaim
Young people
Community Psychology and Society
Fact checked by Sean Blackburn
Great man leadership theories
The Great Man Theory of Leadership
Reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW
situational leadership
Situational Theory of Leadership
Reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW
psychologist talking to woman
Priming and the Psychology of Memory
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
A boy who has learned optimism
How Learned Optimism Can Improve Your Life
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Public Restroom Sign
Gender Schema Theory and Roles in Culture
Fact checked by Shereen Lehman, MS
A woman and a dog wearing sunglasses
Comparative Psychology and Animal Behavior
Fact checked by Andrea Rice
A clinical psychologist with clients
Clinical Psychology History, Approaches, and Careers
Fact checked by Adah Chung
Exploring a psychology theory
Types of Psychological Theories
Reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW
Health Psychology
Health Psychology: The Science of Health and Behavior
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Forensic psychology
An Overview of Forensic Psychology
Fact checked by Emily Swaim
Woman designing something on a computer
The Basics of Human Factors Psychology
Fact checked by Shereen Lehman, MS
traits associated with great leadership
Understanding the Trait Theory of Leadership
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Business People Listening to the Speaker at a Conference
The Major Leadership Theories
Reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW
Women taking pictures together on beach
History and Topics in the Field of Positive Psychology
Fact checked by Shereen Lehman, MS
woman crying while on laptop
The James-Lange Theory of Emotion
Reviewed by David Susman, PhD
Imprinting is an example of an instinct
The Instinct Theory of Motivation
Fact checked by Emily Swaim
Arousal theory explains why people seek thrilling activities.
The Arousal Theory of Motivation
Reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW
Hull's drive-reductions theory
Drive-Reduction Theory and Human Behavior
Reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW
Cheese in the middle of a wooden maze
The Incentive Theory of Motivation
Reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW
Sports psychology and athletics
What Is Sports Psychology?
Reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW
Consumer psychologists study buying behavior
The Psychology Behind Consumer Behavior
Fact checked by Emily Swaim
Self-determined man
Self-Determination Theory: How It Explains Motivation
By Kendra Cherry
brain puzzle
Understanding Abnormal Psychology
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
UCLA
10 Top Ranked Clinical Psychology Programs
By Kendra Cherry
Zeigarnik Effect
The Zeigarnik Effect and Thoughts About Unfinished Work
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
What Is Anal Personality?
What Is an Anal Personality?
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Group of people having a conversation.
What Is Social Facilitation?
By Arlin Cuncic
children drinking soda
The Link Between Soft Drinks and Aggression in Children
By Amy Morin, LCSW
Conduct disorder is a mental health condition.
Conduct Disorder: Definition, Symptoms, Traits, Causes, Treatment
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Motivation
Strategies for Increasing Motivation
Fact checked by Sean Blackburn
Maslow's hierarchy of needs
The 5 Levels of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
Reviewed by David Susman, PhD
Woman making decisions in meeting
9 Habits That Make You a Better Decision Maker
Medically reviewed by Carly Snyder, MD
young boy covering mouth as hand tries to feed him broccoli on fork
The Role of Classical Conditioning in Taste Aversions
Reviewed by Rachel Goldman, PhD, FTOS
Man and woman having conversation on a couch
How to Understand Body Language and Facial Expressions
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Couple kissing at night
The Health Belief Model and Behavior Change
Medically reviewed by Carly Snyder, MD
Cropped Hand Of Man Feeding Dog
Classical Conditioning: How It Works With Examples
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Cat exhibiting conditioned response
Conditioned Response in Classical Conditioning
Reviewed by David Susman, PhD
doctor testing child's knee reflexes with rubber hammer
Unconditioned Response in Classical Conditioning
Fact checked by Emily Swaim
Mother talking to a moody teenager
Choosing the Right Treatment for a Troubled Teen
By Amy Morin, LCSW
woman cutting onion on kitchen counter
Unconditioned Stimulus in Classical Conditioning
Fact checked by Emily Swaim
woman shaking the paw of a golden retriever
How Extinction Is Defined in Psychology
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
a man looking at his phone and computer on a windowsill
Variable Interval Schedule of Reinforcement
Fact checked by Shereen Lehman, MS
Mother talking to her daughter on the floor
The Psychology of Secondary Reinforcement
Fact checked by Shereen Lehman, MS
What is holism illustration?
Holism: Definition and Examples
Reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW
young woman seductively grabbing young man's tie while she sits on the edge of a bed
What Is the Libido in Psychology?
Fact checked by Emily Swaim
Cat in box
The Law of Effect in Psychology
Fact checked by Emily Swaim
An unhealthy diet is just one of the at-risk youth behaviors you should be concerned with.
Overview of Youth At-Risk Behavior
Medically reviewed by Aron Janssen, MD
Thinking
How to Help a Troubled Teen in Crisis
Fact checked by Cara Lustik
Woman sitting on step with phone in hand looking exhausted or sad
When You're Tired of Your Troubled Teen
Medically reviewed by Aron Janssen, MD
Rebellious teen on steps
Troubled Teens Acting Out Examples and Solutions
Fact checked by Emily Swaim
Cell phone break up
Transporting Troubled Teens Into a Treatment Program
Fact checked by Cara Lustik
Behavioral therapy with young girl
What Is Behavioral Therapy?
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Woman experiencing learned helplessness
Learned Helplessness - What It Is and Why It Happens
Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD
Teenage girl journaling on her bed
Writing Therapy for Troubled Teens
Fact checked by Adah Chung