About Psychology

Eight Major Theories of Leadership

2010-02-08T05:00:15Z

How do people become leaders? Leadership is a topic of interest in social psychology and there are a number of theories that attempt to explain different aspects of leadership. Do certain qualities make people great leaders, or do situational factors play a role? Are leaders born, or is leadership a skill that can be learned?

There are a number of different theories to explain how people become leaders.
Photo courtesy Sanja Gjenero

Early leadership theories focused on what qualities distinguished between leaders and followers, while subsequent theories looked at other variables such as situational factors and skill level. Despite the wide variety of leadership theories, most can be categorized under one of eight broad outlooks. Learn more about these major theories of leadership.

Eight Major Theories of Leadership originally appeared on About.com Psychology on Monday, February 8th, 2010 at 05:00:15.

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Sensorimotor Stage - Psychology Definition of the Week

2010-02-04T06:00:44Z

Definition: In Piaget's stages of cognitive development, a period between birth and age two during which an infant's knowledge of the world is limited to his or her sensory perceptions and motor activities. Behaviors are limited to simple motor responses caused by sensory stimuli. Read more...

Related Reading:

_{Image courtesy Piotr Bizior}

Sensorimotor Stage - Psychology Definition of the Week originally appeared on About.com Psychology on Thursday, February 4th, 2010 at 06:00:44.

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Courses You Should Take Before Applying to Graduate School

2010-02-03T06:00:05Z

If you are planning to apply to a psychology graduate program after earning your undergrad degree, now is the time to start preparing for the application process. In addition to basic steps such as taking the GRE and obtaining letters of recommendation, it is also important to select your undergraduate courses wisely. In order to be fully prepared for the rigors of the program you eventually choose, it's important to take courses that provide a strong background in key psychology topics.

How do you decide which courses to take? Start by considering your own interests and goals. Look for courses that match your research interests, or that relate to the specialty area you plan to pursue in the future.

In addition your own interests, it's also important to consider what graduate admissions committees will be looking for. Most psychology graduate programs have specific requirements that need to be filled in order to be admitted. While all graduate schools differ, a 1994 survey analyzed the course requirements of more than 2,000 graduate programs to find which courses were most often required for admission. Learn more in this article about the courses you should take before applying to graduate school.

Looking for more information about psychology education?

Courses You Should Take Before Applying to Graduate School originally appeared on About.com Psychology on Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010 at 06:00:05.

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How Long Does it Take to Get a Ph.D. in Psychology?

2010-02-02T06:00:08Z

A doctorate-level degree in psychology is required in order to work in a number of fields, including as a licensed clinical psychologist or counseling psychologist. A doctorate degree is also often required in fields such as school psychology or health psychology.

Just how long would it take you to earn your doctorate degree in psychology? The exact answer to that question depends on a number of different variables including your educational background and the specific graduate program you choose. Learn more: How Long Does it Take to Get a Ph.D. in Psychology?

_{Image courtesy Mary Gober}

How Long Does it Take to Get a Ph.D. in Psychology? originally appeared on About.com Psychology on Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010 at 06:00:08.

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Teens Are Not Getting Enough Sleep, New Survey Suggests

2010-02-01T14:33:06Z

We all know how important sleep is, so why is it that so many people don't get enough. The National Sleep Foundation reports than approximately 50 million American adults suffer from chronic sleep problems. while there are many great reasons to get a good night's sleep, many people simply don't place a high priority on sleep. The National Sleep Foundation report also found that nearly 63% of respondents simply accept sleep deprivation as a part of their life, while 32% turn to caffeinated drinks to combat daytime sleepiness.

New study finds that many teens are not getting enough sleep.Image courtesy Nur Cengiz

A new survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention asked more than 12,000 U.S. high school students how much sleep they were getting each night. Past research suggests that teenagers need to get at least nine hours of sleep each night. Of the 12,000 students surveyed, only 900 reported getting the recommended amount and another 2,8000 indicated that they got an average of eight hours of sleep each night.

The CDC suggests that sleeplessness can have a number of negative consequences on teen health and well-being, ranging from lowered judgment to decreased immunity.

According to the report:

Thirty percent of the students slept for approximately seven hours each night
Nearly twenty-three percent of students slept for six hours each night
Ten percent slept less than five hours
Almost six percent of students reported getting four or less hours of sleep each night.

So why do so many U.S. students not get the sleep they need? Unfortunately, the CDC study does not identify the underlying causes of this sleeplessness. Science News for Kids reports that some research suggests that computer screens might be linked with sleep problems. Researchers have found that the blue light emitted by computer screens can actually interfere with the body's natural cirdadian rhythms.

If you are struggling to get enough sleep, there are a number of different strategies you can use to help ensure a good night's rest. About.com's Guide to Sleep Disorders, Brandon Peters, offers several great tips such as going to bed at the same time every night and avoiding caffeine and alcohol at least four to six hours before you go to bed. Find more great ideas in his article on 10 ways to get a better night's sleep.

Read more: Sleep By the Numbers - Science News for Kids

Teens Are Not Getting Enough Sleep, New Survey Suggests originally appeared on About.com Psychology on Monday, February 1st, 2010 at 14:33:06.

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Visual Cliff - Psychology Definition of the Week

2010-01-29T07:00:17Z

Definition: A visual cliff involves an apparent, but not actual drop from one surface to another. This tool was originally developed to determine if infants had developed depth perception. A visual cliff is created by connecting a transparent glass surface to an opaque patterned surface. The floor below has the same pattern as the opaque surface. This apparatus creates the visual illusion of a cliff, while protecting the subject from injury. Read more...

More About Perception

_{Image courtesy Piotr Bizior}

Visual Cliff - Psychology Definition of the Week originally appeared on About.com Psychology on Friday, January 29th, 2010 at 07:00:17.

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Ten Facts About Freud

2010-01-27T12:53:09Z

Psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud is one of the most famous figures in the history of psychology, but many students know little about his life beyond the fact that he was the founder of psychoanalysis. Despite the fact that his theories are often maligned by contemporary psychologists, he remains one of history's most fascinating characters.

Learn more about psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud.Public Domain Image

Did you know that Sigmund Freud gave up his job in a science lab and became a doctor in order to marry the woman he loved? Or that he probably never actually said the famous phrase "Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar"? Learn more about some of the interesting aspects of his life and career in these ten facts about Freud.

Learn More About Freud

Ten Facts About Freud originally appeared on About.com Psychology on Wednesday, January 27th, 2010 at 12:53:09.

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Understanding the Psychology Research Process

2010-01-25T00:01:12Z

One of the most frequent requests I receive is for help planning, designing or researching a psychology study or experiment. Choosing a topic, selecting research methods and figuring out how to analyze the data you collect can be intimidating, especially if you have little or no background in experimental methods.

The results of psychology experiments are printed and broadcast everyday in newspapers, magazines, television programs and blogs. On a more informal level, we often make judgments about the intentions, motivations and actions of others on a daily basis. While the everyday judgments we make about human behavior are subjective and anecdotal, researchers use the scientific method to study psychology in an objective and systematic way. A large part of being an informed psychology consumer is to understand exactly how the research process works.

If you need help preparing for a research project, study or experiment, start by reading this article outlining the basic steps in psychology research.

Want to learn more about psychology research methods?

Understanding the Psychology Research Process originally appeared on About.com Psychology on Monday, January 25th, 2010 at 00:01:12.

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Improving Your Psychology Study Skills

2010-01-22T08:02:10Z

As you begin any new course, it is a good idea to sit down and evaluate your homework habits and study skills. At the beginning of the semester, the sheer amount of information heaped upon you can seem overwhelming. The key is to develop a focused study strategy that will help you memorize and retain information from class readings, lectures, discussions and notes.

Learn how to improve your psychology study skills.Image courtesy digitalskillet/iStockPhoto

There are a number of effective methods for improving memory, which can make your study sessions much more useful. Basic tips such as improving focus, avoiding cram sessions and structuring your study time are a good place to start, but there are even more lessons from psychology that can dramatically improve your learning efficiency. You can learn more about some of these techniques in this article on how you can become a more effective learner.

While you probably know that cramming is one of the worst ways to study for an exam, the fact is that virtually everyone finds themselves in this situation once in a while. Try to avoid this by learning great study habits, but also look for ways to make the most out of your last-minute study sessions. About.com's Guide to Homework Tips, Grace Fleming, has some great advice on how to utilize chunking to improve your learning and retention: Chunking to Remember.

The study techniques that you use can also vary from one class to another. For example, a statistics class may require more intensive rehearsal and memorization of problems and formulas, while a social psychology course might require more reading and group discussion.

Another important part of analyzing your study habits includes learning more about your unique learning style, which can provide useful information about which study strategies might be the most effective for you. For example, if you are a strong auditory learner, consider downloading and listening to psychology podcasts. If you tend to be a visual learner, review your course readings, notes and psychology study guides.

Links to Explore:

Part 5 of the "Back-to-School Tips for Psychology Students" series: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

Improving Your Psychology Study Skills originally appeared on About.com Psychology on Friday, January 22nd, 2010 at 08:02:10.

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Free Online Psychology Courses

2010-01-20T12:35:32Z

If you are interested in learning more about psychology but are unable to enroll at a college or university, there are still plenty of great ways to expand your knowledge. In addition to self-study using textbooks and Internet resources, you can also explore free online psychology courses that cover numerous subjects within psychology.

One option is to enroll in our free 9-week Psychology 101 e-course. All lesson materials arrive via e-mail each week, allowing you to explore the resources whenever you choose. The course serves as a great introduction to the basics of psychology and covers a range of topics, including history, memory, intelligence, development and personality.

MIT OpenCourseware offers a wide selection of courses in the brain and cognitive sciences, all of which can be completed online via self-study and do not require registration. If you enjoy learning at your own pace, then don't miss out on this excellent opportunity.

Some courses you might be interested in include:

Free Online Psychology Courses originally appeared on About.com Psychology on Wednesday, January 20th, 2010 at 12:35:32.

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