The Archive - Psych 101
Criticism of the Dunning-Kruger Effect
Discover the criticisms of the Dunning-Kruger Effect, including its methodological flaws, statistical artefacts, and popular misinterpretations. Explore expert insights into this cognitive bias, its limitations, and the nuances behind overconfidence in self-assessment.
What Is the Dunning-Kruger Effect? Why People Misjudge Their Own Ability
Discover the psychology behind the Dunning-Kruger Effect, a cognitive bias where individuals overestimate their abilities due to a lack of self-awareness. Learn its causes, real-life examples, and tips to counteract its impact in education, the workplace, and decision-making.
Criticisms of Cognitive Dissonance Theory: What It Explains, and What It Overstates
Discover the major criticisms of cognitive dissonance theory, from theoretical ambiguities to cultural and methodological challenges. Learn how recent advancements in neuroscience and psychology are reshaping its relevance and applications.
Criticisms of Asch’s Conformity Experiments: What They Show, and What They Miss
Explore the major criticisms of the Asch Conformity Experiments, including issues with ecological validity, cultural bias, ethical concerns, and interpretive limitations. Learn how these iconic studies on group pressure may oversimplify the complexity of social influence.
Altruism Explained: Why People Help Others, and Whether It’s Ever Really Selfless
Explore the psychology behind altruism, including theories, neural mechanisms, and developmental insights. Discover why humans engage in selfless acts and the factors that drive altruistic behaviour in society.
What is a Schema in Psychology?
Learn about schemas in psychology—mental frameworks that shape how we perceive and process information. Explore types of schemas, their role in memory, attention, and problem-solving, and their impact on social interactions and mental health.
The Psychology of Laughter: Evolutionary Roots and Social Impacts
Delve into the evolutionary origins of laughter, its psychological mechanisms and its profound social impacts.
The Milgram Experiment Explained: Obedience, Authority, and Why People Comply
Delve into the psychological mechanisms of Milgram's (1963) findings, and how subsequent research has expanded our understanding of these critical aspect of human behaviour
What is Cognitive Dissonance? Understanding the Conflict Within
Discover the meaning of cognitive dissonance, a psychological phenomenon causing mental discomfort from conflicting beliefs. Learn its definition, real-life examples, and how it influences decision-making, behaviour, and personal growth.
Diffusion of Responsibility
Explore the intricacies of diffusion of responsibility, discussing its psychological underpinnings, historical context, and real-world implications, and criticisms, while also offering strategies to mitigate its effects.
The Stanford Prison Experiment: A Case Study in Social Influence and Ethical Controversy
The Zimbardo prison experiment was a landmark study in social psychology, conducted by Philip Zimbardo and his colleagues at Stanford University in 1971. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of situational factors on human behaviour, by simulating a prison environment and assigning participants to the roles of either guards or prisoners.
What Was the Bobo Doll Experiment (1961)?
The Bobo Doll Experiment, conducted by Albert Bandura, Dorothea Ross, and Sheila A. Ross in 1961, remains one of the most influential studies in the history of social psychology. Discover the ground-breaking 1961 Bobo Doll Experiment by Bandura, which revealed how children learn aggression through observation. A cornerstone of social psychology.