The Mere Exposure Effect is the ability for one to acquire a positive perception of a person, object, or stimulus by virtue of increasing familiarity, hence repeated exposures to the person, object, or stimulus. Proposed by Robert Zajonc, the effect suggests that familiarity, even under conditions of absence of awareness, results in positive affection. The […]
A modal action pattern, formerly known as a fixed action pattern, is an innate, stereotyped sequence of behaviors that is triggered by a specific stimulus known as a sign stimulus or releaser, and once initiated, typically runs to completion regardless of environmental feedback. Originally described by ethologists Konrad Lorenz and Nikolaas Tinbergen, modal action patterns […]
Multidimensionality in psychology refers to the recognition that psychological constructs, human development, and behavior are complex and cannot be adequately understood through a single dimension or variable. Most psychological phenomena — such as intelligence, personality, well-being, and mental health — are multidimensional, meaning they are composed of several distinct but interrelated components. Adopting a multidimensional […]
Mood-congruent memory is the tendency to recall information more easily when the emotional tone of the memory matches one’s current mood state. This phenomenon reflects the influence of emotion on cognitive processes, particularly memory encoding and retrieval. When a person is sad, for instance, they are more likely to recall past sad events, while a […]
Microaggressions are subtle, often unintentional, verbal or behavioral slights that communicate derogatory or negative messages to individuals from marginalized groups. Coined by psychiatrist Chester Pierce and later expanded by Derald Wing Sue, the concept identifies everyday exchanges that, while seemingly minor, cumulatively cause significant psychological harm. Microaggressions can be environmental, verbal, or nonverbal and often […]
Meta-analysis integrates findings from several studies to determine overarching patterns and conclusions. In the field of psychology, it ascertains the strength and consistency of findings across various studies pertaining to a singular topic. By consolidating information, meta-analyses enhance precision, mitigate the influence of biases, and uncover trends obscured by single studies. This approach is vital […]
In psychology, a moratorium refers to a period of active exploration without long-term commitments, especially during identity development. James Marcia, a psychologist, considers it one of four identity statuses in adolescence, during which an individual queries their values, beliefs, and direction in life prior to committing to an identity. This phase is crucial for personal […]
In psychology, “moral” pertains to the underlying principles that dictate certain forms of behavior and the corresponding actions which are considered right and wrong. Moral development encompasses mastery of ethical reasoning, empathy, and social responsibility. The works of Jean Piaget and Lawrence Kohlberg have posited the transformation of morality from sheer compliance to sophisticated moral […]
A minority group pertains to a social unit which has less power, representation, or social influence relative to the rest of the society and suffers some form of unequal treatment, discrimination, or neglect. This definition is not purely mathematical. It is social, political and cultural standing and not headcount. For instance, in some cultures, women […]
Moods are prolonged emotional conditions that contribute to emotional states. Particularly, for a given period, a person can have a determinate condition that alters a person’s reactions to stimuli around the individual. Furthermore, unlike joy and anger, moods are sentiments that are detached from a particular event. A person can be pleasantly cheerful during the […]