The term "theory" is used with surprising frequency in everyday language. The term theory is often used in everyday language to mean a guess, hunch, or supposition. You may even hear people dismiss certain ideas because they are "only theories." It is important to note as you study psychology and other scientific topics, that a theory in science is not the same as the colloquial use of the term.
A theory is a based upon a hypothesis and backed by evidence. A theory presents a concept or idea that is testable. In science, a theory is not merely a guess. A theory is a fact-based framework for describing a phenomenon. In psychology, theories are used to provide a model for understanding human thought, emotions, and behaviors.
A psychological theory has two key components: (1) it must describe a behavior and (2) make predictions about future behaviors.
Theory Examples
Throughout psychology's history, a number of different theories have been proposed to explain and predict various aspects of human behavior. Some of these theories have stood the test of time and remain well-accepted today. Others have not held up under close scientific scrutiny, and may have been rejected altogether or only partially accepted by researchers today.
If you are looking for an example of a psychological theory, consider the following:
- Classical Conditioning
- Erikson's Theory of Psychosocial Development
- Freud's Theory of Psychosexual Development
In either case, each theory has helped contribute to our knowledge base of the human mind and behavior.
Reasons to Study Psychology Theory
In your psychology courses, you may find yourself questioning the necessity of learning about so many different psychology theories, especially those that are consider inaccurate or outdated. However, all of these theories provide valuable information about the history of psychology, the progression of thought on a particular topic and a deeper understanding of current theories.
