5 Psychological Theories You Should Know

Table of ContentsView AllTable of Contents5 Major Psychological TheoriesTypes of TheoriesPurposeExamples

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

5 Major Psychological Theories

Types of Theories

Purpose

Examples

Close

The term “theory” is used with surprising frequency in everyday language. It is often used to mean a guess, hunch, or supposition. You may even hear people dismiss certain information because it is “only a theory.”

In science, however, a theory is much more than just a guess. A theory presents a concept or idea that is testable. Scientists can test a theory through empirical research and gather evidence that supports or refutes it.

As new evidence surfaces and more research is done, a theory may be refined, modified, or even rejected if it does not fit with the latest scientific findings. The overall strength of a scientific theory hinges on its ability to explain diverse phenomena.

Some of the best-known psychological theories stem from the perspectives of variousbranches within psychology. Each represents a different way of thinking about the human mind and behavior. This doesn’t mean that any particular theory is “right” or better than the others. It just means that various approaches exist to understanding, explaining, and predicting how people think and act.

There are five major types of psychological theories: behavioral, cognitive, humanistic, psychodynamic, and biological. Let’s take a closer look at each of these psychological theories and how they work.

Behavioral Theories

Behavioral psychology, also known asbehaviorism, is a theory of learning based on the idea that all behaviors are acquired through conditioning. This approach doesn’t consider internal mental processes at all. Instead, it focuses on how interactions with the environment, including associations, rewards, and punishments, can be used to teach and shape behavior.

Cognitive Theories

Cognitive theories of psychology are focused on internal states, such as motivation, problem-solving,decision-making, thinking, and attention. Such theories strive to explain different mental processes, including how the mind processes information and how our thoughts lead to certain emotions and behaviors.

According tocognitive psychological theories, our thoughts are important in perceiving and responding to the world around us. Some theories take an information processing approach, suggesting that the human mind works like a computer in terms of how information is processed, stored, retrieved, and used.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)is an important type of therapy that is rooted in these cognitive psychological theories. CBT focuses on helping people change their thoughts, which can help alleviate behavioral and emotional problems.

Humanistic Theories

Humanistic psychology theories began to grow in popularity during the 1950s.Some of the major humanist theorists includedCarl RogersandAbraham Maslow.

While earlier theories often focused on abnormal behavior and psychological problems, humanist theories about behavior instead emphasized the basic goodness of human beings. These theories emphasize free will and the inherent drive that all people have to grow and reach their full potential.

These psychological theories tend to take a moreholistic approach, seeing individuals as more than the sum of their parts.

Key humanistic theories include Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, Roger’s concept ofunconditional positive regard, and the importance ofself-actualization.

Psychodynamic Theories

Psychodynamic theories examine the unconscious concepts that shape our emotions, attitudes, and personalities. Psychodynamic approaches seek to understand the root causes of unconscious behavior.

The unconscious represents all of the thoughts, urgest, emotions, and memories that lie outside of our conscious awareness. According to psychodynamic theorists, the unconscious continues to affect behavior even though we are unaware of it.

These theories are strongly linked withSigmund Freudand his followers. The psychodynamic approach is seen in many Freudian concepts—for instance, that our adult behaviors have their roots in our childhood experiences and that the personality is made up of three parts:the id, the ego, and the superego.

Biological Theories

Biological theories in psychologyattribute human emotion and behavior to biological causes. For instance, in thenature versus nurture debateon human behavior, the biological perspective would side with nature.

Biological theories are rooted in the ideas ofCharles Darwin, who is famous for theorizing about the roles that evolution and genetics play in psychology.

Someone examining a psychological issue from a biological lens might investigate whether there are bodily injuries causing a specific type of behavior or whether the behavior was inherited.

Different Types of Psychological Theories

There are many psychology theories, but most can be categorized as one of four key types.

Developmental Theories

Theories of development provide a framework for thinking about human growth, development, and learning. If you have ever wondered about what motivates human thought and behavior, understanding these theories can provide useful insight into individuals and society.

Developmental theoriesprovide a set of guiding principles and concepts that describe and explain human development. Some developmental theories focus on the formation of a particular quality, such as Kohlberg’s theory of moral development.Other developmental theories focus on growth that happens throughout the lifespan, such asErikson’s theory of psychosocial development.

Grand Theories

These theories seek to explain much of human behavior, but are often considered outdated and incomplete in the face of modern research. Psychologists and researchers often use grand theories as a basis for exploration, but consider smaller theories and recent research as well.

Mini-Theories

Emergent Theories

The Purpose of Psychological Theories

You may find yourself questioning how necessary it is to learn about different psychology theories, especially those that are considered inaccurate or outdated.

However, theories provide valuable information about the history of psychology and the progression of thought on a particular topic. They also allow a deeper understanding of current theories. Each one helps contribute to our knowledge of the human mind and behavior.

By understanding how thinking has progressed, you can get a better idea not only of where psychology has been, but where it might be going in the future.

While debates continues to rage over hot topics, it is worthwhile to study science and the psychological theories that have emerged from such research, even when what is often revealed might come as a harsh or inconvenient truth.

As Carl Sagan once wrote, “It is far better to grasp the universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring.”

3 Examples of Psychological Theories

These are a few examples of psychological theories that have maintained relevance, even today.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

According to Maslow, these needs represent what humans require to feel fulfilled and lead productive lives. However, one must satisfy these needs from the bottom up, according to Maslow.

For instance, the most basic and most immediate needs are physiological. Once those are met, you can focus on subsequent needs like relationships and self-esteem.

Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development

Piaget’s theory of cognitive developmentfocuses on how children learn and evolve in their understanding of the world around them. According to his theory, there are four stages children go through during cognitive development:

Freud’s Psychoanalytic Theory

Still widely discussed today isFreud’s famous psychoanalytic theory. In his theory, Freud proposed that a human personality is made up of the id, the ego, and the superego.

The egois responsible for managing the impulses ofthe id, so they conform to the norms of the outside world. As you age, your ego develops.

For instance, as an adult, you know that crying doesn’t get you the same type of attention and care that it did as an infant. So the ego manages the id’s primal impulses while making sure your responses are appropriate for the time and place.

The superegois made up of what we internalize to be right and wrong based on what we’ve been taught (our conscience is part of the superego). The superego works to make our behavior acceptable and it urges the ego to make decisions based on what’s idealistic (not realistic).

Takeaways

Much of what we know about human thought and behavior has emerged thanks to various psychology theories. For example, behavioral theories demonstrated how conditioning can be used to promote learning. By learning more about these theories, you can gain a deeper and richer understanding of psychology’s past, present, and future.

Why Do We Need Psychology Theories?

15 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Borghi AM, Fini C.Theories and explanations in psychology.Front Psychol.2019;10:958. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00958Schwarzer R, Frensch P, eds.Personality, Human Development, and Culture: International Perspectives on Psychological Science, vol. 2. Psychology Press.American Psychological Association.Cognitive theories.Brady-Amoon P, Keefe-Cooperman K.Psychology, counseling psychology, and professional counseling: Shared roots, challenges, and opportunities.Eur J Couns Psychol.2017;6(1). doi:10.5964/ejcop.v6i1.105American Psychological Association.Psychodynamic approach.Giacolini T, Sabatello U.Psychoanalysis and affective neuroscience. The motivational/emotional system of aggression in human relations.Front Psychol. 2019;9. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02475D’Hooge R, Balschun D.Biological psychology. In: Runehov ALC, Oviedo L, eds.Encyclopedia of Sciences and Religions. 2013:231-239. doi:10.1007/978-1-4020-8265-8_240Walrath R.Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral DevelopmentIn: Goldstein S, Naglieri JA, eds.Encyclopedia of Child Behavior and Development. Springer.Gilleard C, Higgs P.Connecting life span development with the sociology of the life course: A new direction.Sociology. 2016;50(2):301-315. doi:10.1177/0038038515577906Cvencek D, Greenwald A, Meltzoff A.Implicit measures for preschool children confirm self-esteem’s role in maintaining a balanced identity.J Exp Psychol. 2016(62):50-57. doi:10.1016/j.jesp.2015.09.015Benson J, Haith M, eds.Social and Emotional Development in Infancy and Early Childhood. Elsevier.Sagan C.The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark. Random House.Taormina RJ, Gao JH.Maslow and the motivation hierarchy: Measuring satisfaction of the needs.American J Psychol.2013;126(2):155-177. doi:10.5406/amerjpsyc.126.2.0155Rabindran, Madanagopal D.Piaget’s theory and stages of cognitive development- An overview.SJAMS.2020;8(9):2152-2157. doi:10.36347/sjams.2020.v08i09.034Boag S.Ego, drives, and the dynamics of internal objects.Front Psychol.2014;5:666. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00666Additional ReadingMcComas WF.The Language of Science Education. Springer Science & Business Media. doi:10.1007/978-94-6209-497-0

15 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Borghi AM, Fini C.Theories and explanations in psychology.Front Psychol.2019;10:958. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00958Schwarzer R, Frensch P, eds.Personality, Human Development, and Culture: International Perspectives on Psychological Science, vol. 2. Psychology Press.American Psychological Association.Cognitive theories.Brady-Amoon P, Keefe-Cooperman K.Psychology, counseling psychology, and professional counseling: Shared roots, challenges, and opportunities.Eur J Couns Psychol.2017;6(1). doi:10.5964/ejcop.v6i1.105American Psychological Association.Psychodynamic approach.Giacolini T, Sabatello U.Psychoanalysis and affective neuroscience. The motivational/emotional system of aggression in human relations.Front Psychol. 2019;9. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02475D’Hooge R, Balschun D.Biological psychology. In: Runehov ALC, Oviedo L, eds.Encyclopedia of Sciences and Religions. 2013:231-239. doi:10.1007/978-1-4020-8265-8_240Walrath R.Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral DevelopmentIn: Goldstein S, Naglieri JA, eds.Encyclopedia of Child Behavior and Development. Springer.Gilleard C, Higgs P.Connecting life span development with the sociology of the life course: A new direction.Sociology. 2016;50(2):301-315. doi:10.1177/0038038515577906Cvencek D, Greenwald A, Meltzoff A.Implicit measures for preschool children confirm self-esteem’s role in maintaining a balanced identity.J Exp Psychol. 2016(62):50-57. doi:10.1016/j.jesp.2015.09.015Benson J, Haith M, eds.Social and Emotional Development in Infancy and Early Childhood. Elsevier.Sagan C.The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark. Random House.Taormina RJ, Gao JH.Maslow and the motivation hierarchy: Measuring satisfaction of the needs.American J Psychol.2013;126(2):155-177. doi:10.5406/amerjpsyc.126.2.0155Rabindran, Madanagopal D.Piaget’s theory and stages of cognitive development- An overview.SJAMS.2020;8(9):2152-2157. doi:10.36347/sjams.2020.v08i09.034Boag S.Ego, drives, and the dynamics of internal objects.Front Psychol.2014;5:666. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00666Additional ReadingMcComas WF.The Language of Science Education. Springer Science & Business Media. doi:10.1007/978-94-6209-497-0

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Borghi AM, Fini C.Theories and explanations in psychology.Front Psychol.2019;10:958. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00958Schwarzer R, Frensch P, eds.Personality, Human Development, and Culture: International Perspectives on Psychological Science, vol. 2. Psychology Press.American Psychological Association.Cognitive theories.Brady-Amoon P, Keefe-Cooperman K.Psychology, counseling psychology, and professional counseling: Shared roots, challenges, and opportunities.Eur J Couns Psychol.2017;6(1). doi:10.5964/ejcop.v6i1.105American Psychological Association.Psychodynamic approach.Giacolini T, Sabatello U.Psychoanalysis and affective neuroscience. The motivational/emotional system of aggression in human relations.Front Psychol. 2019;9. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02475D’Hooge R, Balschun D.Biological psychology. In: Runehov ALC, Oviedo L, eds.Encyclopedia of Sciences and Religions. 2013:231-239. doi:10.1007/978-1-4020-8265-8_240Walrath R.Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral DevelopmentIn: Goldstein S, Naglieri JA, eds.Encyclopedia of Child Behavior and Development. Springer.Gilleard C, Higgs P.Connecting life span development with the sociology of the life course: A new direction.Sociology. 2016;50(2):301-315. doi:10.1177/0038038515577906Cvencek D, Greenwald A, Meltzoff A.Implicit measures for preschool children confirm self-esteem’s role in maintaining a balanced identity.J Exp Psychol. 2016(62):50-57. doi:10.1016/j.jesp.2015.09.015Benson J, Haith M, eds.Social and Emotional Development in Infancy and Early Childhood. Elsevier.Sagan C.The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark. Random House.Taormina RJ, Gao JH.Maslow and the motivation hierarchy: Measuring satisfaction of the needs.American J Psychol.2013;126(2):155-177. doi:10.5406/amerjpsyc.126.2.0155Rabindran, Madanagopal D.Piaget’s theory and stages of cognitive development- An overview.SJAMS.2020;8(9):2152-2157. doi:10.36347/sjams.2020.v08i09.034Boag S.Ego, drives, and the dynamics of internal objects.Front Psychol.2014;5:666. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00666

Borghi AM, Fini C.Theories and explanations in psychology.Front Psychol.2019;10:958. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00958

Schwarzer R, Frensch P, eds.Personality, Human Development, and Culture: International Perspectives on Psychological Science, vol. 2. Psychology Press.

American Psychological Association.Cognitive theories.

Brady-Amoon P, Keefe-Cooperman K.Psychology, counseling psychology, and professional counseling: Shared roots, challenges, and opportunities.Eur J Couns Psychol.2017;6(1). doi:10.5964/ejcop.v6i1.105

American Psychological Association.Psychodynamic approach.

Giacolini T, Sabatello U.Psychoanalysis and affective neuroscience. The motivational/emotional system of aggression in human relations.Front Psychol. 2019;9. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02475

D’Hooge R, Balschun D.Biological psychology. In: Runehov ALC, Oviedo L, eds.Encyclopedia of Sciences and Religions. 2013:231-239. doi:10.1007/978-1-4020-8265-8_240

Walrath R.Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral DevelopmentIn: Goldstein S, Naglieri JA, eds.Encyclopedia of Child Behavior and Development. Springer.

Gilleard C, Higgs P.Connecting life span development with the sociology of the life course: A new direction.Sociology. 2016;50(2):301-315. doi:10.1177/0038038515577906

Cvencek D, Greenwald A, Meltzoff A.Implicit measures for preschool children confirm self-esteem’s role in maintaining a balanced identity.J Exp Psychol. 2016(62):50-57. doi:10.1016/j.jesp.2015.09.015

Benson J, Haith M, eds.Social and Emotional Development in Infancy and Early Childhood. Elsevier.

Sagan C.The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark. Random House.

Taormina RJ, Gao JH.Maslow and the motivation hierarchy: Measuring satisfaction of the needs.American J Psychol.2013;126(2):155-177. doi:10.5406/amerjpsyc.126.2.0155

Rabindran, Madanagopal D.Piaget’s theory and stages of cognitive development- An overview.SJAMS.2020;8(9):2152-2157. doi:10.36347/sjams.2020.v08i09.034

Boag S.Ego, drives, and the dynamics of internal objects.Front Psychol.2014;5:666. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00666

McComas WF.The Language of Science Education. Springer Science & Business Media. doi:10.1007/978-94-6209-497-0

Meet Our Review Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

What is your feedback?