Definition: Behavioral therapy uses the principles of behaviorism to increase desirable behaviors and reduce or eliminate unwanted ones. Unlike many other forms of therapy, behavioral therapy is focused on taking an action-based approach to changing specific behaviors. Some methods used in this type of therapy including aversion therapy, flooding, systematic desensitization, extinction, and contingency management.

Learn more about how this approach works in this overview of behavioral therapy.

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While many students in the U.S. are probably thinking about the upcoming summer break, it will soon be time to start thinking about final exams. While there are no sure-fire shortcuts when studying for a psychology test, there are things that you can do to get the most out of your study time. By following these relatively simple strategies, you can be sure that you'll be ready when test day arrives. Learn more about how to study for a psychology test.

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Marketers utilize a number of different techniques to gain compliance from consumers, including one that is known as the "low-ball" technique. I was recently shopping for a new cell phone plan and experienced this particular compliance strategy first hand. The salesman pitched what sounded like a really great plan for mobile phone service. As we were preparing to sign the two-year service agreement, the salesman suddenly mentioned some additional hidden fees that made what had started out as a great deal turn into a not-so-great deal.

This low-ball strategy works by first getting the consumer to make a commitment before raising the terms of making that commitment. The hope is that since you have already dedicated yourself to the decision, you will stick with it even when the costs increase. While I walked away from the cell phone contract once it became clear that we would actually be paying much more than the salesman initially claimed we would be, many consumers find themselves going along with sales pitches that utilize this clever compliance technique.

Some other strategies that are frequently used to gain consumer compliance include the "foot-in-the-door" technique (getting you to make a small commitment before requesting a much larger one) and the famous "that's-not-all" technique ("...but wait, that's not all! Buy now and you'll get an extra for FREE!").

Learn more about how compliance works, when and why we are more likely to comply, and some more techniques that are often used in this article on the psychology behind compliance.

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Definition: Self-concept is the image you have of yourself, including your physical appearance and personality characteristics. Many factors can influence our self-concept, including our childhood experiences, how other people respond to us, and how we relate to other people. Psychologists have suggested that there are a number of different components of self-concept, including our social behavior, physical condition, emotional awareness, family relationships, and academic performance.

Learn more about the psychology behind self-concept.

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