What is it that moves us or drives us to do the things we do on a daily basis? There are many theories of motivation, one of which focuses on arousal levels. In simple terms, the arousal theory of motivation suggests that people are driven toward situations and activities that will maintain an optimum level of arousal, such as alertness, interest, and energy. If … Read more
Many researchers have sought to understand what motivates human behavior. Is the way that we behave something we are born with, or does it develop due to the experiences we have? One theory that is more aligned with the former school of thought is the instinct theory of motivation. Here we explore what instinct theory is … Read more
Positive psychology is one of the newest branches of psychology to emerge. This particular area of psychology focuses on how to help human beings prosper and lead healthy, happy lives. While many other branches of psychology tend to focus on dysfunction and abnormal behavior, positive psychology is centered on helping people become happier. Positive psychology is designed to … Read more
Human factors psychology focuses on the interaction between people and machines. Its findings are used to create and improve products, equipment, and environments in a way that complements human capabilities while maximizing performance and safety.1 Here we take a closer look at this subfield of psychology to understand better what it is. If it sounds … Read more
Clinical psychology specialty integrates the science of psychology with treating complex human problems. In addition to directing treating people for mental health concerns, the field of clinical psychology also supports communities, conducts research, and offers training to promote mental health for people of all ages and backgrounds.1 This article discusses what clinical psychologists do, the … Read more
Comparative psychology is the branch of psychology concerned with the study of animal behavior. Modern research on animal behavior began with the work of Charles Darwin and Georges Romanes, and the field has grown into a multidisciplinary subject. Today, biologists, psychologists, anthropologists, ecologists, geneticists, and many others contribute to the study of animal behavior. Comparative psychology often utilizes … Read more
At a Glance George Gerbner’s cultivation theory explains how people are influenced by mass media. For example, Gerbner thought that society’s views on issues like crime and violence could be linked to the messages people get from watching TV. Cultivation theory was developed by communication scholar George Gerbner in 1969 to explain how mass media … Read more
The HEXACO Personality Inventory measures six facets of personality: Honesty-Humility Emotionality Extraversion Agreeableness (vs. Anger) Conscientiousness Openness to Experience Those who complete the personality test answer statements such as, “I often go for walks” or “I like to watch television.” A computer then analyzes the results and provides scores on each of the 6 domains, … Read more
Existentialism is a philosophy of human nature that identifies people as having free will to determine the course of their lives. It emphasizes individual responsibility to create meaning rather than relying on a higher power or religion to determine what is important, valuable, or morally right.1nm Existentialists believe that the nature of existence varies and is … Read more
Dependent personality disorder is a Cluster C personality disorder.1 It is a mental health condition that can cause a person to be overly dependent on other people for their physical and emotional needs.2 People with dependent personality disorder often have trouble making decisions for themselves and feel helpless when they’re alone because they feel incapable of taking … Read more