Glossary / Lexicon

Deutsch: Kontext / Español: Contexto / Português: Contexto / Français: Contexte / Italiano: Contesto /

Context refers to the environment and circumstances in which a behavior occurs; information surrounding a stimulus; the environment in which people are and in which communication takes place. Moreover, Context refers to the situation or circumstances surrounding a behavior. Context is what gives behavior its meaning and is the determinant as to whether behavior is viewed as appropriate or inappropriate.

Description

In psychology, "context" refers to the circumstances or conditions that surround a particular event, situation, or behavior. It encompasses various factors such as physical environment, social setting, cultural norms, personal history, and temporal elements. Context provides the framework through which individuals interpret and understand their experiences, influencing their thoughts, emotions, and actions. Understanding the context is crucial for comprehending human behavior as it sheds light on the underlying influences and motivations shaping individuals' responses to stimuli. Psychologists often emphasize the importance of considering context to gain a holistic understanding of psychological phenomena and to develop effective interventions.

Application Areas

• Clinical psychology
• Social psychology
• Developmental psychology
• Cognitive psychology
• Forensic psychology

Treatment and Risks

• Therapy sessions aimed at exploring and understanding the contextual factors contributing to psychological issues
• Risks include overlooking individual differences within a particular context, leading to generalizations or misinterpretations

Examples

• Studying how social context influences decision-making in group settings
• Analyzing the impact of family dynamics on children's behavioral development
• Investigating how cultural context shapes perceptions of mental health and treatment-seeking behaviors

Similar Concepts and Synonyms

• Environmental factors
• Situational influences
• Background conditions
• Surrounding circumstances
• External variables

Weblinks

• umweltdatenbank.de: 'Kontext' im Lexikon der umweltdatenbank.de (German)
• wikipedia.org: 'Kontext' in the wikipedia.org (German)
• wikipedia.org: 'Context' in the wikipedia.org

Articles with 'Context' in the title

• Context effect: Context effect refers to the effect on a cognitive process (for example "perception) of the information surrounding the target object or event. Context effect is also sometimes called "Expectation effect" because the Context is thought to s . . .
• Context-bound word use: Context-bound word use refers to word use that is tied to particular contexts. In psychology, "context-bound word use" refers to the idea that the meaning of a word or phrase can vary depending on the context in which it is used
• Context-conditioned variation: Context-conditioned variation refers to the fact that the acoustic parameters associated with a given speech sound vary with its phonetic context. In psychology, "context-conditioned variation" refers to the idea that an individual's though . . .
• Context-independent learning: Context-independent learning is defined as learning of a skill or strategy independent of a specific situation in which the skill will be applied- acquiring knowledge for knowledge’s sake
• Social context: Social context: In psychology, social context refers to the immediate physical and social setting in which people live or in which something happens or develops
• Universal versus Context-specific development controversy: Universal versus Context-specific development controversy refers to a debate over whether there is a single pathway of development, or several paths
• Awareness contexts: Awareness contexts: Awareness contexts refer to social interactions among those who are coping with dying arising from the types of communication about the facts of the situation- Glaser and Strauss described closed, suspected, and open awa . . .
• Contexts of development: Contexts of development refers to the interrelated conditions in which development occurs. Culture, family, and ethnic group are three (3) of the major contexts that have an effect on development
• Contextual model: Contextual model refers to a view of children as active entities whose developmental paths represent a continuous, dynamic interplay between internal forces (nature-environment) and external influences (nurture)
• Contextual modulation: Contextual modulation is a term used when the neural response to a stimulus is influenced by the context within which the stimulus occurs. Contextual modulation has been used to refer to the situation in which a neuron’s response is . . .
• Contextualization: In psychology, contextualization refers to the process of understanding behavior by considering the broader context in which it occurs. It emphasizes the importance of looking beyond the individual's actions to grasp the environmental, . . .
• Developmental systems approach (Developmental contextual model): Developmental systems approach (Developmental contextual model) : Developmental systems approach (Developmental contextual model ) refers to perspective that views development as the result of bi-directional interaction between all . . .
• Universal versus Context-specific development issue: Universal versus Context-specific development issue refers to an issue whether there is just one path or several paths of development. Universal versus Context-specific development issue is also called Universal versus Context-specific . . .
• Context theory of meaning: Context theory of meaning: Context theory of meaning is a term used in Titchener's contention that a sensation is given meaning by the images it elicits
• Contextual dissonance: Contextual dissonance is defined as the difference between the characteristics of the primary child-rearing and home environment and other environments in which the child participates
• Contextual subtheory: Contextual subtheory is a term used in Sternberg's Triarchic theory that refers to the idea that intelligence must be viewed in terms of the context in which it occurs
• Contextualism: Contextualism is defined as the belief that intelligence must be understood in its real-world context
• Contextualization of learning: Contextualization of learning means offering instruction in ways that first draw on a child's existing experiences, knowledge, and concepts and then expand them in new directions
• Developmental contextual model: Developmental contextual model . Pease see Developmental systems approach.
• High-context macrosystem: High-context Macrosystem refers to culture generally characterized by intuitiveness, emotionality, cooperation, group identity, and tradition

Summary

In psychology, "context" refers to the surrounding circumstances and conditions that influence individuals' thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It encompasses a wide range of factors, including physical environment, social setting, cultural norms, and personal history. Understanding context is essential for gaining insights into human behavior and developing effective interventions in various areas of psychology such as clinical, social, developmental, cognitive, and forensic psychology. Consideration of context helps psychologists interpret psychological phenomena accurately and tailor interventions to individual needs.

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