Social cognitive career theory (SCCT) is a relatively new theory that is aimed at explaining three interrelated aspects of career development: (1) how basic academic and career interests develop, (2) how educational and career choices are made, and (3) how academic and career success is obtained. The theory incorporates a variety of concepts (e.g., interests
The term “availability heuristic” refers to a judgmental rule of thumb for estimating frequencies and probabilities. It states that individuals determine frequencies and probabilities “by the ease with which relevant instances come to mind” (Tversky & Kahneman 1973, 207). The logic underlying the availability heuristic holds that frequent and probable events are well represented in
The assessment and investigation of vocational processes represents some of the most active and sustained contributions that have derived from George Kelly’s 1955 personal construct theory. Kelly’s theory is often interpreted as an early forerunner of contemporary cognitive theories, although his emphasis on personal agency, meaning, choice, and growth have variously aligned him with humanistic
There is an adage, “Give people a fish and they eat for a day, but teach them to fish and they eat for a lifetime.” This wise maxim succinctly captures the ultimate aim of the cognitive information processing (CIP) approach to career counseling—that is, enabling individuals to become skillful career problem solvers and decision makers.
Most Language and Social Interaction (LSI) researchers would agree that their findings about the social functionality of details of language use and social interaction have potential value for cognitive science. Schegloff (2006) cites evidence that people have cognitive capabilities for managing, detecting, and processing the socially consequential details of expressive acts whose complexity exceeds what
Visual perception is a seemingly effortless process for most people. However, it is not the case that the human brain receives information just as it exists in the environment. Vision is an active process, and while information from the outside world becomes transformed into information sent to the visual cortex, there are a number of
There is an old adage, “Give people a fish and they eat for a day, but teach them how to fish and they eat for a lifetime.” This wise maxim succinctly captures the ultimate aim in using the cognitive information processing (CIP) approach to career counseling: to enable individuals to become skillful career problem solvers
The term “goal” refers to a future state of affairs that a person wishes to attain or maintain. Goals prompt planning, which, in turn, serves as the basis for action. From these simple premises, it is apparent that the core function of goals is to regulate behavior and that communicative goals and plans fall under
The body of work on aging and information processing has consistently indicated that, generally, cognitive performance deteriorates with age (Park & Minear 2004). Measures of speed, reasoning, and working memory all indicate a negative trend for age. Although these findings may seem bleak, there are some domains that remain intact. For instance, knowledge seems to
Theories of human behavior differ in their conceptions of human nature and what they regard as the basic determinants and mechanisms governing self-development, adaptation, and change. Social cognitive theory is rooted in an agentic perspective. To be an agent is to influence one’s own functioning and events that affect one’s life. In this view people
Cognitive ethology is the study of higher mental functions in animals. Until about 1980, the possibility of cognitive powers in animals was largely denied. This aversion to thinking about the animal mind was rooted in the deeply embarrassing “Clever Hans” incident. In the early 1900s, a horse known as “Clever Hans” was apparently taught language
Cognitive dissonance is a theory developed in the late 1950s by US psychologist Leon Festinger, which claims that people tend to avoid information and situations that are likely to increase a dissonance with their existing cognitions, such as beliefs, attitudes, or other value judgments. The author proposed the following basic hypotheses: “(1) The existence of
Cognitive science is the study of mind, and is an interdisciplinary field that encompasses psychology, philosophy, computer science, education, neuroscience, anthropology, and linguistics. The intellectual origins of the field can be traced back to the 1950s, when researchers first began to use formal mathematical representations and computational structures to model theories of mind. Cognitive science
Lewis Terman (1917) was the first American psychologist to use “mental tests” as screening devices in the selection of law enforcement personnel. On October 31, 1916, at the request of the city manager of San Jose, California, he administered an abbreviated form of the Stanford-Binet to 30 police and fire department applicants. They ranged in
There is an adage, “Give people a fish and they eat for a day, but teach them to fish and they eat for a lifetime.” This wise maxim succinctly captures the ultimate aim of the cognitive information processing (CIP) approach to career counseling—that is, enabling individuals to become skillful career problem solvers and decision makers.
During the years in which Munsterberg was proselytizing about psychology’s usefulness in the courtroom, particularly involving expert testimony, another American psychologist was more quietly making inroads into a different forensic area, one specifically related to juvenile courts. As we noted earlier, consultation with these courts was common, but it was chiefly in the area of
The core tenets of social cognitive theory (SCT) focus on the interrelationship among three sets of factors—namely personal, environmental, and behavioral. These factors are often described as being part of a reciprocal causal network whereby environmental, personal, and behavioral factors interact to determine a range of attitudinal and behavioral consequences. One of the key underpinning
This article delves into the intricate relationship between renal disease and cognitive impairment within the domain of health psychology, aiming to provide an understanding of the multifaceted factors contributing to cognitive decline in individuals with renal conditions. The exploration begins with an insightful overview of cognitive functioning affected by renal disease, focusing on memory, attention
In the domain of sport, the term cognitive capabilities refers to the athlete’s aptitude to process, evaluate, select, and compare information. Cognitive capabilities are encompassed in the cognitive system and serve as a linkage between the perceptual and motor systems. Thus, these assume the role of interpreters, translating environmental stimuli into meaningful patterns for further
Social cognitive theory explains human accomplishments and well-being in terms of the interplay between individuals’ attributes, their behavior, and the influences operating in their environment. According to this view, people are contributors to their life circumstances, not just the products of them. They are characterized by a number of basic capabilities. These include cognitive, vicarious
Cognitive function refers to the mental process of knowing or thinking. It involves all aspects of mental processes that enable individuals to perceive, recognize, process, and understand thoughts. Specifically, cognitive function involves processes such as action, attention, memory, learning, reasoning, planning, problem solving, decision making, and communication. These cognitive functions are not only important to
Cognitive restructuring is a technique that is commonly taught to athletes by sport psychologists in which self-defeating thoughts and negative self-statements are identified and substituted with positive, adaptive self-statements, and coping thoughts. Cognitive restructuring was originally developed in clinical settings and has since been used by practitioners in various contexts (including sport) to address a
Broadly defined, cognition refers to mental operations involving information processing and thus includes processes such as perception, problem solving, memory recall, and decision making. The term cognitive styles refers to the different approaches people characteristically use in undertaking cognitive tasks. Considered to be a personality trait and representing both nature and nurture effects, cognitive styles
Cognitive task analysis (CTA) refers to a suite of scientific methods designed to identify the cognitive skills, strategies, and knowledge required to perform tasks proficiently. The goal of CTA is to use this information to improve instruction, training, and technological design (e.g., decision aids) for the purposes of making work more efficient, productive, satisfying, and
This article explores the pivotal role of Cognitive Stimulation Therapies (CST) in the context of dementia care within the framework of health psychology. Beginning with an elucidation of the prevalence and significance of dementia, the introduction establishes the imperative for effective interventions, leading to an in-depth overview of CST. This section delves into the historical
This article explores the intricate landscape of cognitive patterns in depression within the realm of health psychology, emphasizing the significance of understanding these patterns for effective intervention. The introduction sets the stage by defining depression and highlighting the importance of investigating cognitive processes. The first body section delves into the role of Negative Automatic Thoughts
This article explores the pivotal role of cognitive restructuring in the treatment of depression within the framework of health psychology. The introduction delineates the concept of cognitive restructuring and underscores the intricate link between cognition and depression. Anchored in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and Beck’s Cognitive Model, the theoretical foundation section delves into the historical evolution
This article explores the pivotal role of cognitive strategies for pain management within the realm of health psychology. Pain, a complex and subjective experience, necessitates effective coping mechanisms for improved overall well-being. The introduction elucidates the significance of pain management and introduces the central theme of cognitive strategies. The first section delves into Cognitive Appraisal
This article explores the intricate relationship between cognitive representations and chronic pain within the framework of health psychology. Beginning with an introduction to the concept of chronic pain and its widespread implications, the thesis asserts the crucial role of understanding cognitive representations in effective pain management. The first section defines and establishes the theoretical framework
This article explores the crucial role of cognitive mapping in understanding and navigating the progression of diseases within the realm of health psychology. Beginning with an elucidation of cognitive processes involved in disease perception, the discussion delves into how individuals recognize symptoms and appraise the threat of illness, shedding light on the profound influence of
Social Cognitive Neuroscience Definition Social cognitive neuroscience is the study of the processes in the human brain that allow people to understand others, understand themselves, and navigate the social world effectively. Social cognitive neuroscience draws on theories and psychological phenomena from across the social sciences, including social cognition, political cognition, behavioral economics, and anthropology. The
The term cognitive ability generally refers to the capacity to mentally process, comprehend, and manipulate information—in short, the ability to learn. For example, reasoning deductively or inductively, grasping general principles from observing the behavior of objects, mentally rotating objects in one’s mind, quickly and accurately comprehending what one is reading, and dealing effectively with mathematical
Although there are many definitions of cognitive ability, most focus on the notion that cognitive ability is both a determinant and a product of human learning. A common definition of cognitive ability describes it as a general mental capability that involves, among other things, the ability to reason, plan, solve problems, think abstractly, comprehend complex
This article explores the intricate relationship between Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and cognitive dysfunction within the domain of health psychology. Beginning with an overview of CFS, including its definition, diagnostic criteria, prevalence, and impact on daily functioning, the narrative delves into the nuanced nature of cognitive dysfunction experienced by individuals with CFS. Memory impairment, attention
This article provides a comprehensive exploration of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as a pivotal intervention in health psychology for pain control. The introduction underscores the paramount importance of addressing pain within the health psychology framework and introduces CBT as a potent approach. The first section delves into the multifaceted nature of pain, adopting the biopsychosocial
This article on cognitive decline in aging delves into the multifaceted aspects of this prevalent health concern within the purview of health psychology. The introduction outlines the significance of cognitive decline in the aging population and provides a succinct overview of the aging process and its impact on cognitive function. The three body sections explore
This article explores the cognitive effects of chronic alcoholism, a severe and persistent manifestation of alcohol use disorder with global implications. The introduction outlines the prevalence and significance of chronic alcoholism while emphasizing the importance of studying cognitive impairments in this context. The subsequent sections delve into specific cognitive domains affected, including memory deficits, executive
This article on cognitive dissonance delves into the foundational principles, behavioral implications, and applications of this pivotal concept in the field of psychology. It begins by explicating Leon Festinger’s theory of cognitive dissonance, elucidating the discomfort arising from cognitive inconsistencies and the process of tension reduction. Subsequently, the article elucidates the profound influence of cognitive
Eyewitness information is the key element in solving many crimes, yet the police are often poorly trained in conducting information-gathering interviews, and they make avoidable mistakes. To rectify this situation, Ronald Fisher and Edward Geiselman developed the Cognitive Interview (CI) procedure to collect information from cooperative witnesses. The CI techniques are based on scientific principles
Cognitive Consistency Definition You have a friend named Jeff who likes to smoke cigarettes regularly. After attending a lecture on the grave cause-effect relationship between smoking and cancer, he quits. Why? This evening, you will be meeting with two people, Chris and Jean. You really like Chris, but you don’t like Jean. However, Chris really
Cognitive dissonance refers to the psychological discomfort that people experience when there is inconsistency between their knowledge or beliefs and their behavior. Dissonance is distressing because humans strive to be consistent within themselves. A major category of cognitive dissonance is known as postdecision dissonance. This refers to the distress that occurs after one makes a
Cognitive equilibrium refers to a state of balance between an individual’s mental schemata, or frameworks, and his or her environment. Such balance occurs when our expectations, based on prior knowledge, fit with new knowledge. Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget (1896–1980) developed the concept of equilibrium to describe one of four critical factors in cognitive development, along
Predicting school achievement as well as traditional psychometric measurements of intellectual abilities, cognitive styles are not abilities themselves but rather preferred ways of applying the abilities one has. Typically, cognitive styles refers to the manner in which individuals receive, process, and apply information. Unlike individual differences in abilities that often are arranged by descriptions of
Cognitive theories of personality focus on the processes of information encoding and retrieval, and the role of expectations, motives, goals, and beliefs in the development of stable personality characteristics. This approach differs from personality theories that emphasize either the conditions within which personality develops (e.g., behavioral theories) or the trait structures that are revealed in
Developed over nearly five decades by Albert Bandura, social cognitive theory—which emphasizes the reciprocal interaction of behavior, cognitive, and other personal factors, and environmental influences on human functioning—has been carefully derived from empirical findings and subjected to repeated tests within many areas of human functioning. This reciprocal process of theory development and testing has, over
In Piaget’s theory of cognitive development, the purpose of children’s thinking is to help them adapt to the environment in increasingly efficient ways. The techniques children use to adapt to the environment are called schemes. Schemes are action patterns that children transfer or generalize by repeating them in similar circumstances or in meeting recurring needs.
Cognitive therapy is based on the idea that beliefs determine feelings and behavior. Albert Ellis, who along with Aaron Beck pioneered the cognitive approach to therapy, favored this quote by the Stoic philosopher Epictetus (first century A.D.): “What disturbs people’s minds is not events but their judgments on events.” Cognitive therapists use a variety of
Attention is what helps us to maintain perception, thought, and behavior despite distraction. There are many varieties of attention, each with a different purpose and dependent on different brain mechanisms in order to function. Attention can be separated into three main categories: selection, vigilance, and control. There are many theories regarding the mechanisms of different
The theory of cognitive dissonance, invented by Leon Festinger in 1957, is generally considered to be social psychology’s most important and most provocative theory. Simply stated, cognitive dissonance is a state of tension that occurs whenever an individual simultaneously holds two cognitions (ideas, attitudes, beliefs, opinions) that are psychologically inconsistent with each other. Two cognitions
Cognitive Dissonance Theory Definition Introduced by Leon Festinger in 1957—and since that time debated, refined, and debated again by psychologists—cognitive dissonance is defined as the aversive state of arousal that occurs when a person holds two or more cognitions that are inconsistent with each other. The concept of dissonance was once enormously controversial, but its
Adaptation takes place simultaneously, and in many ways, it is a complementary process to organization. Like organization, adaptation is a process that has its theoretical roots in biology, which also reflects Piaget’s early training as a biologist. Adaptation is the individual’s adjustment to the environment. The plant and animal kingdom abound with examples of adaptation
Social cognitive career theory (SCCT) seeks to explain three interrelated aspects of career development: (1) how basic academic and career interests develop, (2) how educational and career choices are made, and (3) how academic and career success is obtained. Developed by Robert W. Lent, Steven D. Brown, and Gail Hackett in 1994, SCCT incorporates a
Medieval ideas about cognitive psychology derive from two major sources, the writings of Aristotle and especially his work on the soul, the De Anima, and the theory of the inner senses, which was laid down in late antiquity. Aristotle’s De Anima may be the most popular psychological text of all time: It was prescribed reading
Social cognitive theory (SCT), promulgated by psychologist Albert Bandura, has been used widely to explain health behaviors across different populations. Lifestyle physical activity (PA), resistance training (RT), and sport performance are examples of these types of behavior. Interventions to improve sport performance or increase PA participation have been developed using the SCT framework and shown
Beginning in roughly 1960 the term cognitive changed from a Kantian (continental) to a Lockean (British) interpretation. This was to have an influence on the development of behaviorism, as reflected in the theorizing of Albert Bandura (1986). Trained in the Hullian tradition, Bandura added significantly to this style of S-R explanation by postulating a triadic
This article delves into the intricate relationship between meditation and cognitive functioning within the domain of health psychology. The introduction provides a foundational understanding of meditation, exploring its historical roots and emphasizing the critical role of cognitive functioning in overall health. The body of the article is structured into three main sections, each focusing on
This article delves into the intricate relationship between diet and cognitive function, offering an exploration of key aspects within the realm of health psychology. The introduction provides a context for understanding the significance of this relationship and articulates the central thesis guiding the subsequent discussion. The first section elucidates the role of essential nutrients, such
This article explores cognitive approaches within health psychology for the purpose of mitigating feelings of helplessness. The introduction delineates the concept of helplessness, its significance in health psychology, and outlines the cognitive approaches under examination. The first section delves into the role of cognitive appraisal in emotional responses, elucidating the connection between cognitive appraisal and
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) stands at the forefront of psychological interventions, uniquely blending principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with specialized techniques tailored to address the complex aftermath of traumatic experiences. This article presents an exploration of TF-CBT, delving into its historical development, theoretical foundations rooted in CBT principles, and the integration of trauma-focused
This article explores the multifaceted realm of Cognitive Rehabilitation Techniques within the domain of health psychology. The introduction delves into the definition, historical context, and overarching importance of cognitive rehabilitation. The subsequent section provides a detailed overview, encompassing neuropsychological assessment, cognitive training, and memory rehabilitation. The article then delves into the application of these techniques
This article explores the significance of cognitive rehabilitation strategies in the domain of health psychology. The introduction delineates the concept of cognitive rehabilitation and emphasizes its pivotal role in addressing cognitive impairments that impact daily functioning. The body of the article is organized into three main sections. Firstly, it delves into specific cognitive rehabilitation techniques