What is a Theory in Psychology?

A psychological theory is an evidence-based idea that explains human thoughts, emotions, and
behaviors. There are two important components of any theory. It not only describes the behavior but
also predicts future behavior. There are five major perspectives in psychology. These are behavioral,
psychodynamic, humanistic, cognitive, and biological. These are also called the "grand theories" because
they address a very broad scope and attempt to understand human behavior as a whole, as opposed to
focusing on a narrow part or function of it.

Major Psychological Theories

There are five major perspectives, or grand theories, in psychology: behavioral, psychodynamic,
humanistic, cognitive, and biological. Many other theories or branches of psychology can trace their
roots back to one of these five major theories.

Behavioral Theories

Behavior theory was the dominant theory in the United States during the 1920s and 30s. It asserts that
individuals learn behavior through interactions with their environment. John B. Watson was the first to
publicize it. Ivan Pavlov discovered the connection between environmental stimuli and responses. He is
most famous for his experiments with dogs in which he demonstrated that through classical
conditioning, the dogs could be "conditioned" to salivate at the sound of a bell if the bell was rung every
time they were fed.

Operant conditioning was developed by B.F. Skinner, an American psychologist. The key idea in operant
conditioning is that behaviors are learned through a series of rewards and punishments. This theory
asserts that people will stop engaging in behaviors that are punished, and will keep doing things that are
rewarded. Skinner rejected the idea of free will. Skinner and his followers excluded thoughts and mental
life, focusing instead on reinforcement.

Cognitive Theories

Cognitive theories contend that human behaviors begin with a person's thoughts. They study the areas
of perception, memory, categorization, knowledge representation, numerical cognition, language, and
thinking. Cognitive theorists like Jean Piaget focused on attention, memory, and perception. They
proposed that understanding the way people remember and process information will be the key to
understanding and predicting their behavior.
Humanistic Theories

Humanistic theories propose that people are innately good and just need the motivation to reach their
full potential. They believe all choices, bad and good, are a result of a person's attempt to improve their
life. Notable psychologist Carl Rogers developed person-centered therapy. This therapy offered a
supportive environment and encouraged the client to take responsibility for their own emotions and
behaviors. Abraham Maslow, most famous for his concept of a hierarchy of needs, was another
humanist theorist.

Biological Theories

Biological theories can be traced back to scientist Charles Darwin. They are rooted in the idea that
humans gradually adjust or adapt to their environment, so there is a heavy emphasis on genetics.
Biological psychologists explore the connection between behavior and the physical body. This includes
looking at the brain, nerves, and hormones. There is a large emphasis on heredity. Choices and
behaviors are a result of what the physical body needs or of genetics.

Psychodynamic Theories

The psychodynamic theories of psychology major on the subconscious mind. Psychoanalyst Sigmund
Freud first proposed the theory that the subconscious contains an ID, ego, and superego. The ID is the
part of people that wants the most basic needs, such as hunger, met immediately. The ego involves a
person's concept of self. Freud proposed how a person perceives themselves will affect behavior. The
superego deals with the moral standards that govern the ID and Ego. Freud believed that the
unconscious and its socially unacceptable desires, especially sexual, were a driving force for a great deal
of behavior. The goal of psychodynamic theory was to bring the subconscious to the surface so it could
be understood and dealt with in a therapeutic way.

Other prominent psychodynamic theorists included Anna Freud and Alfred Adler. He emphasized each
person's need for belonging, proposing that everyone is born with a sense of inferiority and children
begin in childhood to overcome it. He suggested some do this by contributing to society and trying to
achieve good, while others attempt to achieve it by finding ways to exert power over others. He founded
the Society of Individual Psychology.