1. Home
  2. Education
  3. Psychology

Psychology: Most Popular Articles

These articles are the most popular over the last month.
Quiz - What's Your Leadership Style?
The classic model of leadership focuses on three major styles used by leaders. Take this quiz to learn more about your leadership style.
Psychology Career Quiz - Choosing a Psychology Career
Which psychology career is right for you? Take this 10-question quiz to learn which psychology careers are best matched to your interests.
What's Your EQ? - Emotional Intelligence Test
What is your emotional intelligence quotient? Take this quiz to learn more about your emotional intelligence.
Title Page Example
Your title page is the first page of your paper. Be sure your title page is in proper APA format with this example and find more title page tips.
Psychosocial Development
Learn more about the stages of Erikson's Theory of Psychosocial Development. Each stage plays a major role in the development of personality and psychological skills.
What's Your Romantic Attachment Style? - Romance and Attachment Style Quiz
Research has shown that our attachments style can have an impact on our romantic relationships. What is your romantic attachment style? Take this quiz to learn more about your attachment style.
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
The hierarchy of needs emphasizes the importance of self-actualization and is often pictured as a pyramid. Learn more about the five levels in Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs.
Color Psychology
Color psychology is concerned with the effects of color on mood, emotion, behavior. Find information on the color psychology of several colors.
Reference Pages in APA Format
APA format reference lists should begin on a new page and all sources should be presented in alphabetical order. Learn more in this example of a reference page in APA format.
Attachment Styles
John Bowlby described attachment as an emotional bond that impacts behavior "from the cradle to the grave." Learn more about the styles of attachment described by researchers and the role attachment style plays in behavior and relationships.
Erikson's Psychosocial Stages Summary Chart
Erik Erikson described development that occurs throughout the lifespan. Learn more in this chart summarizing Erikson's stages of psychosocial development.
Development Theories
Research on child development has yielded many theories on children's mental, emotional, and social development. Learn more about some of the major child development theories proposed by psychologists.
Tables in APA Format
Tables are a great way to present a lot of information in a clear, conside, and readable format. This example and tips can help you create APA format tables for your psychology papers.
Conscious and Unconscious
According to psychoanalysis, thoughts and motivations outside of our awareness influence our behavior. Learn more about Freud's theory of the conscious and unconscious mind.
Leadership Theories
Theories of leadership are generally one of eight different types. Learn more about the eight major leadership theories.
Piaget - Key Concepts
Important concepts in Piaget's stages of cognitive development include assimilation, accommodation, and equilibration. Learn more about these concepts as well as the background of Piaget's theory.
Attachment Theory
Attachment theory was initially described by psychologist John Bowlby and later expanded by researchers such as Mary Ainsworth. Learn more in this overview of attachment theory.
Entry-level Careers
There are a number of career options available to students with a bachelor's degree in psychology. Learn how the skills you acquired during your experience as an undergraduate student will help you in your job search.
Kolberg's Moral Development
Kohlberg's theory of moral development was formed to expain the development of moral reasoning. Learn more about the different stages of moral development.
Psychology Research Methods Quiz
Test your knowledge of basic psychology research methods in this quiz.
Preoperational Stage
The preoperational stage of cognitive development occurs between the ages of two and six. Learn more about the characteristics of the preoperational stage.
Id, Ego, and Superego
According to Freud's psychoanalytic theory of personality, there are three elements of personality--the id, the ego and the superego. Learn more about how these elements work together to influence behavior.
Psychosexual Development
Freud's stages of psychosexual development is on of the best known personality theories, but also one of the most controversial. Learn more about the psychosexual stages of development.
"Big Five" Personality Quiz
big five personality quiz personality profile: personality psychologists personality quiz dimensions of personality personality theories theories of personality
Social Learning Theory
Psychologist Albert Bandura proposed social learning theory, which emphasizes the importance of observational learning. Learn more about what social learning theory is, basic concepts of this learning theory, and how observational learning occurs.
Defense Mechanisms Quiz
Test your knowledge in this defense mechanisms quiz.
Journal and Periodicals in APA Format
Journal articles should be listed in your APA format reference list in alphabetical order. Learn how to create references for articles appearing in journals or periodicals in proper APA format.
Learning and Conditioning Quiz
How much do you know about behaviorism, learning, and conditioning? Test your knowlede in this quiz.
Classical Conditioning
Classical conditioning is one of the best-known concepts of behavioral learning theory. Find information on the elements of classical conditioning.
What Is Psychology?
Psychology is a popular subject but many people don't know how to define psychology. Learn about the early history of psychology, the official beginning of psychology, and more about psychology today.
Why Do We Dream?
Have you ever wondered why you dream? This question has fascinated people since the beginning of recorded history, but today we still don't fully understand the purpose of dreams. Learn more about some of the most prominent theories of dreams.
What Is Behaviorism?
Behavioral psychology, also known as behaviorism, is a theory of learning based upon the idea that all behaviors are acquired through conditioning. Learn more about conditioning, major behaviorists, and important events in this overview of behaviorism.
Overview of APA Format
APA format is the style most often used for writing in the sciences and social sciences. Learn more about how to cite your sources and prepare a reference section in this guide to APA format.
Intro to Operant Conditioning
Operant conditioning is one of the fundamental concepts in behavioral psychology. Learn more about the effects of rewards and punishments on behavior.
What Is Personality?
Personality encompasses a number of characteristics that arise from within an individual. Learn more about the definition of personality.
Concrete Operational Stage
The concrete operational stage of cognitive development occurs between the ages of approximately seven to eleven. Learn more about the characteristics of the concrete operational stage.
How to Write A Title Page
Almost all types of psychology writing require a title page. How should a title page look? What elements are necessary? Learn how to prepare a title page in APA format.
APA Format
APA format is the standard style for psychology papers. Learn the basics of documenting your sources in APA format.
Quiz - Erikson's Theory of Psychosocial Development
Test your knowledge of Erikson's stages of psychosocial development with this quiz.
Lewin's Leadership Styles
Kurt Lewin's 1939 study identified three major leadership styles. Learn more about this influential contribution to leadership research.
Defense Mechanisms
According to Sigmund Freud's theory of personality, defense mechanisms help the ego cope with anxiety. Learn more about the 10 defense mechanisms described by Anna Freud, and more.
Phobia List
Phobias are the most common mental disorder in the U.S. This phobia list gives the name and fear object of a number of phobias.
Sensorimotor Stage
The first stage of cognitive development in Piaget's theory is the sensorimotor stage. Learn more about the characteristics of the sensorimotor stage.
Tips for Improving Memory
Cognitive psychologists have discovered a number of techniques to help improve memory. Learn more about some of these strategies and how you can apply these memory tips to your own studies.
Formal Operational Stage
The formal operational stage of cognitive development occurs from approximately age 12 to adulthood. Learn more about the characteristics of the formal operational stage.
What Is Cognitive Psychology?
Cognitive psychology is the branch of psychology concerned with the acquisition, processing, and storing of information. Discover more about different topics and issues in cognitive psychology.
Trait Theory of Personality
Trait theory of personality suggests that personality is composed of a number of broad traits. Learn more about the trait theory of personality.
Parenting Styles
Research suggests that different parenting styles have an important impact on child development. Learn more about these different parenting styles and how they impact children.
Multiple Intelligences
Interpersonal intelligence involves the ability to relate to and understand other people. Learn more about the characteristics of interpersonal intelligence.
Schedules of Reinforcement
Schedules of reinforcement have a major impact on how fast a behavior is acquired and the strength of the response. Learn more about different schedules of reinforcement in operant conditioning.
Choosing a Psychology Major
Before you choose a psychology major, it is important to consider factors such as your own interests, talents, and professional goals. Learn more about choosing a psychology major.
Erik Erikson (1902-1994)
Erik Erikson's stage theory of psychosocial development contributed to our understanding of personality development throughout the lifespan. Learn more about his life, career, and contributions to psychology in this Erik Erikson biography
Nonverbal Communication
Researchers have identified several different types of nonverbal communication and behavior. Learn more about these types of nonverbal communication.
Electronic Sources in APA Format
Learn more about how to reference electronic sources in APA format by looking at these examples.
Identity Crisis
Are you experiencing an identity crisis? According to Erik Erikson, an identity crisis is a period of intense exploration of different identities. Learn more about identity crisis, Erik Erikson, and identity research.
What Is Social Psychology?
Social psychology is a discipline that uses scientific methods to study social influence, social perception, and social interaction. Learn more about the definition of social psychology.
Write An Abstract
In psychology writing, an abstract is a consise summary of a paper. Learn more about how to write an abstract section in APA format.
The Anatomy of the Brain
Understanding the anatomy of the brain is an important aspect of biopsychology. Learn more about the structure and function of the midbrain.
Nonverbal Communication Tips
Nonverbal signals make up a large proportion of human communication. Learn more about how to improve your skills in these top ten tips for nonverbal communication.
Sigmund Freud
Often described as the most famous figure in psychology, Sigmund Freud is also one of the most influential thinkers of the twentieth century. Take a journey through his life, work, and theories in this profile of Sigmund Freud.
Quiz - Piaget's Stages of Cognitive Development
Test your knowledge of Piaget's stages of cognitive development with this quiz.
Book References in APA Format
APA format has specific rules for creating a book reference. Learn how to write a book reference in APA format.
Clinical Psychology Careers
Clinical psychology is concerned with the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment, and prevention of mental disorders. Learn about the training, salary, and more about careers in clinical psychology.
"Big Five" Personality
The "Big Five" personality dimensions are broad categories of personality traits. Learn more about these different types of personality and the characteristics of each.
What is Validity?
When determining the merits of a psychological test, validity is one of the most important factors to consider. What is validity? How do we measure it? Learn the answers to these questions and more.
Correlational Studies
Correlational studies are one of the two major types of psychology research. Learn more about the subtypes of correlational studies as well as methods of observation, and scientific surveys.
Full-Text Psychology Journals
An index of journals that offer at least some free access to full-text psychology articles. A good resources for psychology students or those interested in the latest psychology research.
Intro to Research Methods
Psychology experiments can range from simple to complex, but there are some basic terms and concepts that all students of psychology should understand. Learn more about types of research, basic experimental design, and relationships between variables.
Humanistic Psychology
Humanistic psychology formed as a reaction to psychoanalysis and behaviorism and stressed the importance of personal choice and responsibility. Learn more about this major school of thought in psychology's history.
Personality Psychology Quiz
Test your knowledge of personality psychology in this 15-question quiz and find links to further information and study materials.
Emotional Intelligence
What exactly is emotional intelligence? Learn more about the history, importance, and measurements of emotional intelligence.
Structuralism - Functionalism
The two earliest schools of thought in psychology were structuralism and functionalism. Learn more about these two theoretical approaches to psychology.
MMPI-2
The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2) is the most widely used and researched clinical assessment instrument used by mental health professionals. Learn more in this overview of the MMPI-2.
Theories of Love
Psychologist have proposed a number of theories to explain and describe love. Learn more about some of the major theories of love.
Careers in Forensic Psychology
Forensic psychology involves applying psychology to the field of criminal investigation and the law. Learn more about training, typical salaries, benefits, and downsides in this profile of careers in forensic psychology.
Perspectives in Psychology
Psychologists and researchers have many different ways of looking at questions and issues in psychology. The numerous perspectives in psychology offer unique ways to explain and predict human behavior.
I-O Psychology Career Profile
Industrial-organizational psychology is concerned with the study of workplace behavior. Learn more about careers in industrial-organizational psychology.
Personality Study Guide
Learn more about some of the major theories of personality proposed by different psychologists. These theories of personality include biological theories, psychodynamic theories, and humanistic theories.
Criticism of Piaget
While Piaget's stage theory of cognitive development has been influential in psychology, there have been a number of criticims of his work. Learn more about support and criticism of Piaget's theory.
Psychologist Salaries
How much do psychologists earn? Learn more about the average salaries for a variety of different psychology jobs.
Types of Therapy
Find descriptions and information on different types of therapy including psychoanalysis, cognitive-behavioral, and group therapy.
What Is Psychoanalysis?
Sigmund Freud founded the psychodynamic approach to psychology. This school of thought emphasized the role of childhood experience and the unconscious mind. Learn more about the psychodynamic approach to psychology.
What Is a Neuron?
Neurons are the basic building blocks of the nervous system. Learn more about how neurons and how they differ from other cells in the human body.
Harlow: The Nature of Love
Learn more about psychologist Harry Harlow's classic experiments that revealed the powerful effects of love.
How to Write a Method Section
In psychology writing, the method section provides a summary of the procedures and materials used in an experiment. The method section should provide enough detail to allow other researchers to replicate the experiment. Learn more about how to write a method section.
Writing Case Studies
A case study is an in-depth analysis of one individual or group. Learn more about how to write a psychology case study.
How to Write an Introduction
A good introduction is a vital part of a psychology paper. Learn more about the parts of an introduction and how to writing an introduction in a psychology paper.
The Milgram Experiment
Milgram's obedience experiment has become one of the most famous studies in psychology's history. Learn more about this classic study on obedience.
10 Common Phobias
Phobias are one of the most common disorders, affecting approximately 10-percent of adults. Not surprisingly, spiders, snakes, and heights are some of the most common fear objects. Learn more about 10 of the most common phobias.
Theories of Intelligence
While there are numerous theories of intelligence, psychologists do not agree on a standard definition for the concept of 'intelligence.' Learn more about some of the major theories of intelligence that have emerged.
Gestalt Laws of Organization
Learn more about the law of proximity - one of the Gestalt laws of perceptual organization.
What Is Reliability?
Reliability is a vital component of a trustworthy psychological test. What is reliability? How do we measure it? Learn more about reliability in psychology tests.
Psychology vs. Psychiatry
What is the difference between a psychologist and psychiatrists? Discover how these professional differ in terms of education, training, and practice.
Structure of a Neuron
Neurons are the building blocks of the nervous system. Learn about the structure of a neuron and how neural signals are transmitted.
Stages of Sleep
Studies of human sleep have demonstrated that sleep progresses through a series of stages in which different brain wave patterns are displayed. Learn more about the stages of sleep.
The Bystander Effect
The bystander effect is a social phenomenon in which the presence of other people reduces helping behavior. Learn more about the bystander effect, including examples and explanations.
What is Biopsychology?
Discover more about biopsychology and what biopsychologists do. Find information on the brain, nervous system, and neurotransmitters.
Sigmund Freud Biography
Time Magazine featured Sigmund Freud as one of their 100 most important people of the 20th century. Learn more about his life, career, and contributions to psychology in this Sigmund Freud biography.
Stages of Prenatal Development
The stages of prenatal development represent an enormous amount of change from conception to birth. Find more information about the stages of prenatal development.
Albert Bandura Biography
Albert Bandura is best known for his famous "Bobo Doll" experiment. Learn more about his life, career, and theories in this biography of Albert Bandura.
APA Format for Articles
Find tips and examples for creating a references for articles in proper APA format.
What Is Self-Efficacy?
According to Albert Bandura, self-efficacy plays a critical role in how people think, feel, and behave. Learn more about what self-efficacy is and the role it plays.
Graduate Degree Careers
There are a number of career options available for those with a graduate degree in psychology. Learn how the skills you acquired during your experience as a graduate student will help you in your job search.
Career in School Psychology
School psychologists work within the educational system to help children with emotional, social, and academic issues. Learn more about training, typical salaries, benefits, and downsides in this profile of careers in school psychology.
Who Am I? - Famous Psychologists Quiz
famous psychologists quiz, famous psychologist, psychology history, psychology quiz,
B. F. Skinner (1904-1990)
B.F. Skinner's research on operant conditioning made him one of the leaders of behaviorism. Learn more about his life, career, research, and writing in this B.F. Skinner Biography.
Top 10 Psychology Careers
Which psychology careers offer the best outlook for future job growth? These are just a few of the top psychology career trends in some of the fastest growing specialty areas.
Quiz - Freud's Theory of Psychosexual Development
Test your knowledge of Freud's theory of psychosexual development in this quick quiz.
Color Psychology - Green
Color psychology is concerned with the effects of color on mood, emotion, and behavior. Find information on the color psychology of green.
Color Psychology - Blue
Color psychology is concerned with the effects of color on mood, emotion, and behavior. Find information on the color psychology of blue.
Classical Conditioning Basics
In addition to the basic classical conditioning process, there are a number of phenomena that play a role in classical conditioning. Find information on acquisition, extinction, discrimination, and more.
A List of Psychology Careers
Thinking about a psychology career? Then be sure to check out this list of psychology and psychology-related careers.
Careers in Psychology
Learn more about the many different careers in psychology. Find information on typical wages, working conditions, and job outlooks for careers in psychology. Discover the diverse career options available to psychology majors and check out job options for those holding Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctoral degrees. Read profiles of careers in clinical psychology, forensic psychology, industrial-organizational psychology, and many more.
Overview of Memory
Memory involves the process of acquiring, storing, and recalling information. Learn more about what memory is, how it works, and how it is organized.
Psychology Term Paper Ideas
Have a big psychology term paper to write and no idea where to begin? Check out some of these great ideas to get you jump started on your assignment.
Pavlov's Dogs
The concept of classical conditioning is studied by every entry-level psychology student, so it may be surprising to learn that the man who first noted this phenomenon was not a psychology at all. Learn more about classical conditioning, Ivan Pavlov and his well-known experiments with dogs.
Issues in Development
There are a number of issues in developmental psychology, including the nature vs. nurture debate. Learn more about these issues in developmental psychology.
Top Ten Psychologists
10 most influential psychologists, top ten psychologists, psychology biographies, history of psychology
John Watson Biography
John Watson is often referred to as the "father of behaviorism." Learn more about his life, career, and theories in this brief biography.
Careers in Sports Psychology
Sports psychology is concerned with sports and exercise, focusing on performance, motivation, and the psychological benefits of sports and athletics. Learn more about typical salaries, required training, and potential job options in this profile of careers in sports psychology.
Schools of Thought in Psych.
Since psychology first emerged as a separate science, different schools of thought have emerged to dominate the field. Learn more about some of these major schools of thought in psychology, including psychoanalysis, behaviorism, and humanism.
Social Psychology Topics
There are a number of different research areas in social psychology. Learn more about some of the topics studies by social psychologists.
Jean Piaget (1896-1980)
Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development contributed to psychology's understanding of children's intellectual development. Find more information the career, research, and influence on psychology in the Jean Piaget biography.
Persuasion Techniques
Everyday we are faced with persuasion, especially in the form of advertisements. Learn more about some of the persuasion techniques that have been identified by social psychologists.
The Origins of Psychology
While psychology has its roots in ancient philosophy, it wasn't until the 1879 founding of the first psychology lab that the discipline emerged as a science separate from philosophy and physiology. Learn more in this brief history of psychology.
The Perceptual Process
Learn more about perception and how we perceive objects in our environment through the perceptual process.
Asch Conformity Experiments
Researchers have long been interested in the degree to which people follow or rebel against social norms. During the 1950s, psychologist Solomon Asch conducted a series of experiments designed to demonstrate the powers of conformity in groups
Behavioral Psychology
Behavioral psychology is a major topic taught in introductory psychology courses, but many students struggle with this topic. Follow this 10-step guide to improve your understanding of behavioral psychology.
Citing Authors in APA Format
APA format requires specific citations for an author or authors. Learn how to cite an author in-text using proper APA format and style.
What is Development?
Before you begin your study of development, it is important to understand exactly what we mean when we say the word 'development.' What does development involve? What are the effects of development? Learn the answers to these questions and more.
The Simple Experiment
The simple experiment is one of the most basic methods of determining if there is a cause-and-effect relationship between two variables. Find more information on the parts of a simple experiment and how results are measured.
The Stanford Prison Experiment
The Stanford Prison Experiment is one of the most famous experiments in psychology's history. Learn more about the experiment and the results.
Personality Psychology
Personality psychology looks at the patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behavior that make a person unique. Learn more about theories and research in personality psychology.
Psychology Quotes
Read random quotes by a variety of psychologists.: anna freud biography sigmund freud biography ivan pavlov biography jean piaget biography erik erikson biography
Developmental Psychology Quiz
Put your knowledge of developmental psychology to the test in this quiz.
Bachelor's Psychology Careers
Have you ever wondered exactly what kind of job you can have with a bachelor's degree in psychology? Learn more about some of the different types of entry-level careers that are available to psychology majors.
Earnings for Psychologists
Yearly earnings and salaries for psychologists depending upon such factors as educational level and area of expertise. Learn more about earnings for psychologists based on data collected by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Subfields of Psychology
Find more information on the many subfields of psychology, including specialty areas such as biopsychology, developmental psychology, clinical psychology, forensic psychology, personality psychology, and more.
How to Become a Therapist
Have you ever dreamed of becoming a therapist? Learn more about the steps you should take in order to achieve your goal.
How To Write A Psych. Critique
Most psychology students will need to write a critique paper at some point. Learn more about the structure of a psychology critique paper.
Opponent-Process Theory
The opponent-process of color vision explains some aspects of color perception not covered by trichromatic theory. Learn more about the opponent-process and see examples of the theory at work.
Branches of Psychology
Psychology is a broad and diverse field and a number of different branches have emerged in the study of the brain, mind and behavior. Learn more about each of these branches of psychology and what researchers in each area study and explore.
Explanations for Forgetting
Why do we forget information we have learned in the past? There are four basic explanations for why forgetting occurs: retrieval failure, interference, failure to store and motivated forgetting. Learn more about these explanations for why we forget.
Color Psychology - Red
Color psychology is concerned with the effects of color on mood, emotion, and behavior. Find information on the color psychology of red.
Color Psychology - Orange
Color psychology is concerned with the effects of color on mood, emotion, and behavior. Find information on the color psychology of orange.
What Is a Variable?
A variable is something that can be changed, such as a characteristic or value. Variables are generally used in psychology experiments to determine if changes to one variable result in changes to another variable.
William James Biography
William James is often referred to as the father of American psychology. Learn more about his life, career, and influence on psychology in this William James biography.
Color Psychology - Yellow
Color psychology is concerned with the effects of color on mood, emotion, and behavior. Find information on the color psychology of yellow.
BA vs BS in Psychology
Reader Question: My University offers both a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Psychology. What is the difference between these two degrees? Is one degree better than the other?
Psychology Study Tips
Because psychology covers a broad range of topics, it is important to develop ways of effectively studying and mastering new theories and concepts. These psychology study tips will help ensure your success when studying psychology.
Explore Psychology
About.com Special Features

Tips that will help finance your education, excel in the classroom, and advance your career. More >

Being well prepared is the first step; here are more essential suggestions. More >

  1. Home
  2. Education
  3. Psychology

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.