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Definition Carl Jung's Theory of Dreams posits that dreams are a form of communication from the unconscious mind to the conscious self, often expressed through symbols and metaphors. According to Jung, these messages serve as guidance for personal growth, emot...

Definition Justification of Effort is a psychological phenomenon where individuals convince themselves that their efforts are worthwhile, often after investing significant time, money, or emotional energy into something, even if doubts arise about its value. T...

Definition The Just Noticeable Difference (JND) refers to the smallest change in the intensity of a stimulus that a person can detect, given repeated exposure to the same level of stimulus. It is closely related to Weber's Law, which states that the JND is pro...

Definition The Just World Hypothesis is a psychological concept that suggests people tend to believe that the world is fair and just, meaning that actions and behaviors are inherently deserving of their outcomes. This belief can influence how individuals perce...

Definition Kinesthesia, also known as proprioception, is the ability to sense the position, movement, and orientation of your body in space. It involves the detection of stimuli within the body, particularly in muscles, joints, and tendons, which provide infor...

Definition Labeling theory is a sociological perspective that examines how individuals or groups are categorized as "deviant" or "criminal" by society. According to this theory, people become deviant or criminal not because of their inherent actions but becaus...

Definition Language is a system of communication used by humans through the use of speech, writing, or gestures. It consists of words, sounds, signs, or symbols that are organized according to grammatical rules and conventions. Language allows people to expres...

Definition Latent learning refers to the process of acquiring knowledge or skills indirectly through experiences without conscious effort or intent. It occurs when information is absorbed over time through observation, interaction, or exposure rather than thro...

Definition Lateralization refers to how different tasks or functions are divided between the left and right sides of the brain. Each hemisphere specializes in certain activities, allowing us to perform complex actions more efficiently. For example, the left he...

Definition The Law of Effect, introduced by psychologist Edward Thorndike in the early 20th century, is a principle in psychology that states behaviors are shaped by their consequences. If a behavior results in a positive outcome (a reward), it is more likely ...

Definition Lazarus’ Cognitive-Mediational Theory of Emotion suggests that our emotions are not directly caused by external events or stimuli but rather by our internal cognitive processes—how we interpret and evaluate those events. According to this theory, em...

Definition Learned helplessness is a psychological concept describing a state where individuals feel powerless to change their circumstances after repeatedly experiencing failure or negative outcomes despite their efforts. It occurs when people associate their...

Definition Learning refers to the process by which individuals acquire new knowledge, skills, or behaviors through experience, study, or instruction. It involves changes in behavior, thought processes, or understanding that persist over time and are not due to...

Definition A summary of existing research related to a specific topic. Example A researcher wants to investigate the relationship between self-esteem and job satisfaction. In preparation, she conducts a thorough review of the research literature that has alr...

Definition The limbic system is a group of interconnected brain structures that play a crucial role in regulating emotions, memory, and behaviors related to survival, such as fear, aggression, and reward-seeking. It includes key regions like the amygdala (invo...

Definition Locus of Control refers to the extent to which individuals believe they have control over their own lives. It is a psychological concept that describes whether people see events in their lives as being caused by their own actions (internal locus) or...

Definition Cesare Lombroso, an Italian criminologist from the late 19th century, proposed a theory that linked criminal behavior to physical traits, viewing criminals as "atavistic" or throwbacks to earlier stages of human evolution. He believed individuals wi...

Definition Research that involves repeated observations of the same variables over time. Example A researcher initiates a study to examine the development of social skills among a group of children. The study begins with a group of 5-year-olds, and the resear...

Definition Long-term memory refers to the brain's ability to store information over extended periods of time, often years or even a lifetime. Unlike short-term memory, which holds small amounts of information temporarily (like a phone number you just heard), l...

Definition The "looking glass self" is a sociological concept introduced by Charles Horton Cooley, which suggests that individuals develop their self-image based on how they believe others perceive them. This means your sense of self is not just internal but a...