The Archive - Psych 101
How Not to Start an Essay: Why “The Dictionary Defines…” is a Cliché You Should Avoid
Explore why students so often fall back on this cliché and, more importantly, how not to and how to start an essay.
Divergent Thinking: A Comprehensive Definition
Divergent thinking is a fundamental cognitive process in psychology, defined by its capacity to generate multiple unique solutions or ideas from a single problem or stimulus.
Déjà Vu Explained: Memory, Familiarity, and the Brain’s False Alarm
Déjà vu, which translates to "already seen" in French, is a psychological phenomenon where an individual feels an overwhelming sense of familiarity with something that is objectively new
The Cocktail Party Effect Explained: How Selective Attention Helps You Hear in Noise
How does your brain pick out one voice in a noisy room? The cocktail party effect reveals how attention, memory, hearing, and context help us follow conversation through the chaos.
Impact of The Bobo Doll Experiment
Explore the lasting impact of the experiment that aimed to unravel the mechanisms behind learned aggression and its transmission through imitation.
Reverse Psychology Explained: Reactance, Autonomy, and Why People Push Back
Reverse psychology explained through psychological reactance: why people push back when they feel controlled, when reverse psychology works, when it backfires, and why autonomy matters more than clever persuasion tricks.
The Enduring Appeal of Twin Studies in Psychology
Explore the reasons behind the enduring appeal of twin studies in psychology, delving into their methodological strengths, contributions to understanding heritability, and their role in unraveling the complexities of gene-environment interactions.
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
Nature vs. Nurture: A 21st Century Update
We provide an updated perspective on the nature versus nurture debate, examining contemporary research and its implications for understanding human behaviour and development.
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.
Understanding WEIRD: Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic
Delve into the implications of the WEIRD bias in psychological research, examining its impact on the validity and generalizability of findings, and exploring ways to address these limitations.
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.
Grey Matter vs White Matter: What’s the Difference?
Explore the differences between grey and white matter, their roles in brain function, and their significance in neurological health and disease.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Explained: Motivation, Self-Actualisation, and the Problem with the Pyramid
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, introduced by Abraham Maslow in his 1943 paper "A Theory of Human Motivation," is a foundational model in psychology that describes the stages of human development and motivation. This theory posits that human needs are arranged in a hierarchical order, starting from the most basic physiological needs to the highest level of self-actualization. Understanding this hierarchy provides valuable insights into human behaviour, motivation, and psychological well-being.
Exploring the Effectiveness of Flashcards for Learning and Retention
Delve into the psychological mechanisms behind flashcards, we evaluate their efficacy based on peer-reviewed research, and explore best practices for their use in various educational contexts.
Criticism of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
By critically examining Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, we can appreciate its historical significance while also embracing more complex and culturally sensitive models of human motivation
Is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Scientific?
The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is popular because it gives personality a tidy four-letter shape. The science is less tidy. Here’s what the MBTI can and cannot tell you.
An Exploration of Freudian Defence Mechanisms
Explore Freud's theory of defence mechanisms in-depth and understand how the mind unconsciously protects itself from anxiety through repression, denial, projection, and more. A comprehensive guide to their psychological impact and relevance in modern therapy.
Freud's Psychoanalytic Theory: An Exploration of Psychosexual Development
Explore Freud’s five psychosexual stages—oral, anal, phallic, latency, and genital—uncover how they shape personality, and discover modern critiques and applications.