Glossary / Lexicon

Model

Model may be defined as a person who serves as an example in observational learning. Model is also a framework put forward to provide an overall account of the phenomena of an area, example, Abnormal psychology. Model is also a set of related principles or hypotheses constructed to explain significant relationships among concepts or observations.

Description

A model in psychology refers to a simplified representation of a complex psychological process or phenomenon, created to better understand and predict human behavior. Models are used to demonstrate relationships between different variables and factors, allowing researchers and professionals to develop theoretical frameworks and test hypotheses. These models can be simple or complex, depending on the specific psychological concept being studied. They provide a structured way of organizing information and conceptualizing psychological theories.

Application Areas

  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Behavioral Psychology

Treatment and Risks

  • Models can be used to develop effective treatment interventions for psychological disorders.
  • However, there is a risk of oversimplifying complex psychological phenomena, leading to inaccurate conclusions and ineffective interventions.

Examples

  • The Information Processing Model
  • The Triangular Theory of Love
  • The Biopsychosocial Model

Similar Concepts and Synonyms

  • Framework
  • Theory
  • Conceptual Model
  • Paradigm

Weblinks

Articles with 'Model' in the title

  • A-B-C Model: A-B-C Model or theory of behavior of Albert Ellis asserts that self-defeating and maladaptive behaviors and emotions stem from irrational beliefs. The irrational ideas are distorted, highly idealized, and perfectionistic, and they stimulate . . .
  • Adaptive control of thought (ACT) model of memory: Adaptive control of thought (ACT ) model of memory : Adaptive control of thought (ACT) model of memory is a theory of memory developed by John Anderson that specifies a networked memory comprised of working memory, declarative memory, and . . .
  • Adaptive strategy choice model: Adaptive strategy choice model refers to Siegler's model to describe how strategies change over time- the view that multiple strategies exist within a child's cognitive repertoire at any one time, with these strategies competing with one an . . .
  • Administrative model: Administrative model refers to a theory in industrial and organizational psychology that clearly defines the riole of the management and good management practices according to Henri Fayol
  • Analog model: Analog model refers to the approach to research that employs subjects who are similar to clinical clients, allowing replication of a clinical problem under controlled conditions
  • Behavioral model: Behavioral model refers to the explanation of human behavior, including dysfunction, based on principles of learning and Adaptation derived from experimental psychology
  • Bent-twig model: Bent-twig model refers to the proposal that biological differences between males and females bias males to have different experiences than females and these differential experiences account for gender differences in spatial abilities
  • Biobehavioral information processing model: Biobehavioral information processing model : Biobehavioral information processing model refers to a psychological theoretical model that attributes all human thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to natural biological causes, and features a n . . .
  • Biomedical model: Biomedical model refers to a perspective which considers that a disease is a result of exposure to a specific a disease-causing organism. Moreover, Biomedical model is the viewpoint that illness can be explained on the basis of aberrant som . . .
  • Biomedical Model: Biomedical Model refers to a conceptual model of illness that excludes psychological and social factors and includes only biological factors in an attempt to understand a person's medical illness or disorder
  • Biophysical model: Biophysical model refers to the theory that neurological, biochemical, physical defects or malfunctions, and illness are responsible for individuals engaging in inappropriate behavior
  • Biopsychosocial Model: The Biopsychosocial Model refers to the concept of treating not just the body, but the whole person in his or her social context. A synthesis of biomedical and psychoanalytical approaches to treatment- also called the holistic approach
  • Child effects model: Child effects model refers to a model of family influence in which children are believed to influence their parents rather than vice versa
  • Circumplex model of group tasks: Circumplex model of group tasks : Circumplex model of group tasks refers to a conceptual taxonomy developed by Joseph McGrath that orders group tasks in a circular pattern based on two (2) continua: cooperative-competitive and conceptual- . . .
  • Clinical science model: Clinical science model refers to a clinical psychology training model that emphasizes empirically supported approaches to assessment, prevention, and clinical intervention
  • Clinical scientist model: Clinical scientist model refers to a training model that encourages rigorous training in empirical research methods and the integration of scientific principles into clinical practice
  • Cognitive appraisal model: Cognitive appraisal model refers to Lazarus’ theory of how thinking plays a strong role in stress. It was Richard Lazarus ’ theory of why people get stressed and defined as the imbalance between the demands placed on the individual and . . .
  • Cognitive miser model: Cognitive miser model: Cognitive miser model refers to a view of information processing that assumes people usually rely on heuristics to make judgments and will only engage in careful, thoughtful processing when necessary
  • Cognitive neoassociation model of aggression: Cognitive neoassociation model of aggression refers to a theory of harm-doing proposing that aversive events activate the schemas for fight and flight, which elicit the emotions of anger and fear - whether people respond with aggression or . . .
  • Cohort model: Cohort model : Cohort model is a model of auditory Word recognition in which listeners are assumed to develop a Group of candidates, a word initial cohort, and then determine which member of that c ohort corresponds to the presented word
  • Collective effort model (CEM): Collective effort model (CEM) : Collective effort model (CEM) refers to a theoretical explanation of group productivity developed by Steven Karau and Kipling Williams that traces losses of productivity in groups to diminished expectations . . .
  • Collective information processing model: Collective information processing model refers to a general theoretical explanation of group decision making assuming that groups use communication and discussion among members to gather and process the information needed to formulate decis . . .
  • Common in-group identity model: Common in-group identity model refers to an analysis of recategorization processes and conflict, developed by Samuel Gaertner, John Dovidio, and their colleagues
  • Compensatory-response model: Compensatory-response model : Compensatory-response model refers to a model of conditioning in which a conditioned stimulus (CS) that has been repeatedly associated with the primary response (a-process) to an unconditoned stimulus (US) wi . . .
  • Competency-based assessment model: Competency-based assessment model : Competency-based assessment model refers to a framework for understanding human behavior that includes not only intrapersonal factors but also social, cultural, and environmental influences on the indiv . . .
  • Consensus model: Consensus model refers to a model of criminal lawmaking that assumes that members of society agree on what is right and wrong and that law is the codification of agreed-upon social values
  • Constraint-based model: Constraint-based model refers to a model of sentence comprehension in which people simultaneously use all available information, semantic, syntactic, contextual, and so on, in their initial parsing of a sentence
  • 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)
  • Coping model: Coping model: Coping model refers to an individual who demonstrates effective coping in a stressful situation, for example, preparing for a medical procedure or surgery
  • Corey’s model of ethical decision-making: Corey’s model of ethical decision-making refers to a seven (7) step ethical decision-making model which include: 1. identifying the problem-. 2. identifying the potential issues involved
  • Covariation model: Covariation model : Covariation model refers to a theory which states that in order to form an attribution about what caused a person's behavior, we systematically note the pattern between the presence (or absence) of possible causal fact . . .
  • Covariation model of attribution: Covariation model of attribution : Covariation model of attribution refers to an Attribution Theory proposing that we make causal judgments by determining whether a particular Behavior correlated with a person, a situa tion, or some combi . . .
  • 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 levels . . .
  • Diathesis-stress model: Diathesis-stress model refers to a theory of stress that suggests that some individuals are vulnerable to stress-related illnesses because they are genetically predisposed to those illnesses
  • Diathesis-stress model of depression: Diathesis-stress model of depression refers to a Theory of Depression proposing that the impact of Stress is moderated by individual risk factors and that the occurrence of depressi on depends on the interaction between the subject"s person . . .
  • Diathesis–stress model of depression: Diathesis–stress model of depression: diathesis –stress model of depression refers to a theory of depression proposing that the impact of stress is moderated by individual risk factors and that the occurrence of depression depends on th . . .
  • Direct pathway model of pain: Direct pathway model of pain is the idea that pain occurs when nociceptor receptors in the skin are stimulated and send their signals to the brain. This model does not account for the fact that pain can be affected by factors in addition to . . .
  • Disease model: Disease model refers to the view that alcoholism or another drug addiction is an incurable physical disease, like epilepsy or diabetes, and that only total abstinence can control it
  • Dual-stream model of speech perception: Dual-stream model of speech perception refers to a model that proposes a ventral stream starting in the temporal lobe that is responsible for recognizing speech, and a dorsal stream starting in the parietal lobe that is responsible for link . . .
  • Ecological/Sociological model: Ecological/Sociological model refers to the Theory that children's behaviors are not inherently inappropriate but only acquire meaning when examined in relation to the social and cultural context or situation in which they occur
  • Elaboration likelihood model: Elaboration likelihood model: elaboration likelihood model - the Theory that there are two ways in which persuasive communications can cause Attitude change- the central route occurs when people are motivated and have the- ability to pay at . . .
  • ELM (Elaboration Likelihood Model): ELM (Elaboration Likelihood Model) : ELM is the acronym of Elaboration Likelihood Model which is a theory that posits two (2) routes to persuasion, via either conscious or automatic processing
  • Equilibrium Model: Equilibrium Model : Equilibrium Model refers to a conceptual analysis of Group development, proposed by Robert Bales, that assumes the focus of a Group shifts back and forth between the group"s tasks and the in terpersonal relationships a . . .
  • Equilibrium Model of Communication: Equilibrium Model of Communication: Equilibrium Model of Communication : Equilibrium Model of Communication is an explanation of distancing Behavior in interpersonal settings arguing that the amount of eye contact, the Intimacy of the topic . . .
  • Exemplar model: Exemplar model refers to a concept learning model that assumes that people learn and remember the best examples of a concept, then compare new instances with these examples
  • Existential model of cross-cultural counseling: Existential model of cross-cultural counseling is a term which was suggested by Speight, Myers, Cox, and Highlen (1991) that in trying to understand clients, clinicians should be aware of their uniqueness (Eigenwelt ), their common experien . . .
  • Expectancy model: Expectancy model refers to an approach to alcohol dependence that focuses on cognitive-behavioral and social learning perspectives. According to this view, people acquire the belief that alcohol will reduce stress - will make them feel more . . .
  • Feature comparison model of semantic memory: Feature comparison model of semantic memory : Feature comparison model of semantic memory refers to a model of Semantic memory which posits that words or concepts are mentally represented in terms of a set of elements called features
  • Five-Factor Model: Five-Factor Model or FFM proposes that there are five (5) universal dimensions of personality. Moreover, Five-Factor Model refers to a personality theory that posits that any individual's personality is organized along five (5) broad dimens . . .
  • Functional model: Functional model refers to a theory that integrates the localization-of-function and equipotentiality perspectives. This theory holds that any behavior is due to the interaction of several brain systems and that the nature of a behavioral d . . .
  • Gate-control model: Gate-control model refers to Melzack and Wall’s idea that our perception of pain is controlled by a neural circuit that takes into account the relative amount of activity in large (L) fibers and small (S) fibers
  • General aggression model (GAM): General aggression model (GAM) : General aggression model (GAM) refers to a broad theory that conceptualizes aggression as the result of a chain of psychological processes, which include situational events, aggressive thoughts and feeling . . .
  • Goodness of fit model: Goodness of fit model : Goodness of fit model refers to a model proposing that a child performs best when the demands of the environment match with his or her temperament
  • Growth model: Growth model refer to theories based on assumptions that human beings develop over time, and that individuals can direct the change in their own lives
  • Hardy personality model: Hardy personality model refers to the theory that suggests some people are buffered against the potentially harmful effects of stress by their "hardy personality"
  • Harm-reduction model: Harm-reduction model refers to an approach to treating substance use disorders that views alcohol use as normative behavior and focuses education on the immediate risks of the excessive use of alcohol, likealcohol-related accidents and on t . . .
  • HBM (Health Belief Model): HBM (Health Belief Model) which is the acronym of Health Belief Model which is a major theory of health behavior that suggests that our beliefs relating to the effectiveness, ease, and consequences of doing (or not doing) a certain behavior . . .
  • Health behavior model: Health behavior model refers to a theoretical model that proposes that the relationship between a hostile predisposition and health is mediated by the performance (or lack of performance) of health behaviors rather than by the physiological . . .
  • Heuristic-systematic model of persuasion: Heuristic-systematic model of persuasion refers to the theory that there are two (2) ways in which persuasive communications can cause attitude change- people either systematically process the merits of the arguments or use mental shortcuts . . .
  • Hierarchical model of cognitive abilities: Hierarchical model of cognitive abilities : Hierarchical model of cognitive abilities refers to the model that proposes that intelligence is composed of specific cognitive abilities (for example, verbal, spatial, speed of processing, memo . . .
  • Hierarchical model of intelligence: Hierarchical model of intelligence refers to model of the structure of intelligence in which a broad, general ability factor is at the top of the hierarchy, with a number of specialized ability factors nested underneath
  • Hierarchical semantic network model of semantic memory: Hierarchical semantic network model of semantic memory : Hierarchical semantic network model of semantic memory refers to a model of semantic memory organized in terms of nodes and links, which stores properties at the highest relevant no . . .
  • Humanistic Model: Humanistic Model : The Humanistic Model states that our problems originate when we are prevented from being our complete selves. It accepts that all people want to achieve self-actualization, and problems ar- ise when obstacles hinder tha . . .
  • IMB model of AIDS-preventive behavior: IMB model of AIDS-preventive behavior refers to a theory postulating that information, motivation, and behavioral skills guide individuals’ protective actions in the sexual domain
  • Input-process-output (I-O-P) model: Input-process-output (I-O-P) model : Input-process-output (I-O-P) model refers to any one of a number of general conceptual analyses of groups that assumes group processes mediate the relationship between individual, group, and situationa . . .
  • Interaction model of anxiety: The Interaction model of anxiety is based on a distinction between state anxiety (A- State) and trait anxiety (A- Trait). A- State is a transitory condition characterized by a response of tension and apprehension
  • Internal working model: Internal working model refers to infant’s understanding of how responsive and dependable the mother is- thought to influence close relationships throughout the child’s life
  • Investment model: Investment model refers to the theory holding that people's commitment to a relationship depends on their satisfaction with the relationship in terms of rewards, costs, and comparison level- their comparison level for alternatives- and how . . .
  • Investment model of close relationships: Investment model of close relationships according to this model, satisfaction and stability in a relationship depend on the degree to which its partners feel committed to the relationship
  • Kitchener’s moral model: Kitchener’s moral model a model that describes the role of five (5) moral principles in the making of ethical decisions which include autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, and fidelity
  • Learning model of addiction: Learning model of addiction refers to the model of addiction which examines the role of the environment, learning, and culture in encouraging or discouraging drug abuse and addiction
  • Medical model: Medical model refers to the view that abnormal behaviors result from physical problems and should be treated medically- a conceptual framework that views an individual’s problems as being "inside” of the person and resulting from a vari . . .
  • Medical model of mental illness: Medical model of mental illness : Medical model of mental illness refers to the assumption that mental illness results from such biological causes as brain damage, impaired neural transmissions, or biochemical abnormalities
  • Modal model of memory: Modal model of memory: Modal model of memory refers to a theoretical approach to the study of memory that emphasizes the existence of different memory stores, for example, sensory memory, short-term memory, long-term memory
  • Neurodevelopmental model of Schizophrenia: Neurodevelopmental model of Schizophrenia : Neurodevelopmental model of Schizophrenia refers to a model proposes that genetic vulnerability and early neurodevelopmental insults result in impaired connections among many brain regions
  • Neurodevelopmental model of schizophrenia: Neurodevelopmental model of schizophrenia: Neurodevelopmental model of schizophrenia refers to a model which proposes that genetic vulnerability and early neurodevelopmental insults result in impaired connections among many brain regions
  • Normative model of decision making: Normative model of decision making refers to a theory of decision making and leadership developed by Victor Vroom that predicts the effectiveness of group-centered, consultative, and autocratic decisional procedures across a number of group . . .
  • Organismic model: Organismic model the view of children as active entities whose developmental paths are primarily determined by forces from within themselves. The organismic model is a perspective within psychology that emphasizes the holistic nature of i . . .
  • Parent effects model: Parent effects model refers to model of family influence in which parents, particularly mothers are believed to influence their children rather than vice versa
  • Peace model: Peace model refers to an approach to Crime Control which focuses on effective ways for developing a shared Consensus on critical issues which have the potential to seriously Affect the quali ty of life
  • Psychoanalytic model: Psychoanalytic model: psychoanalytic model refers to complex and comprehensive theory originally advanced by Sigmund Freud that seeks to account for the development and structure of personality, as well as the origin of abnormal behavior, b . . .
  • Psychobiosocial model: Psychobiosocial model is the perspective on nature/nurture interactions specifying that specific early experiences affect the organization of the brain, which in turn influences one’s responsiveness to similar experiences in the future
  • Psychodynamic model: A Psychodynamic model refers to a framework for explaining human behavior that focuses on symptoms, behaviors, and underlying processes insight into the motives for our behaviors
  • Psychological model of mental illness: Psychological model of mental illness is the assumption that mental illness results from such psychological causes as conflict, anxiety, faulty beliefs, frustration, or traumatic experience
  • Punctuated equilibrium model: Punctuated equilibrium model refers to a group development theory that assumes groups change gradually over time but that the periods of slow growth are punctuated by brief periods of relatively rapid change
  • Reciprocal gene–environment model: Reciprocal gene–environment model refers to the Hypothesis that people with a genetic predisposition for a disorder may also have a genetic tendency to create environmental risk factors that promote the disorder
  • Sliding filament model: The Sliding filament model is a theory of muscle contraction describing the sliding of the thin filaments (actin) past the thick filaments (myosin).
  • Subtyping model: Subtyping model refers to the information inconsistent with a stereotype that leads to the creation of a new substereotype to accommodate the information without changing the initial stereotype
  • The Cognitive Model: The Cognitive Model: The Cognitive Model states that our problems can be traced to our thinking processes. If we are what we think we are, then all problems are a result of faulty thinking processes
  • Transactional model of stress: Transactional model of stress: Transactional model of stress refers a model that views Stress as a process that involves an environmental event, its Appraisal as threatening or benign by the individual, the indivi- dual's physiological, emo . . .
  • Transtheoretical Model: Transtheoretical Model refers to the major theory of health behavior change that identifies common themes across different intervention theories and notes that we process through different stages as we think about, attempt to, and finally c . . .
  • Triarchic Model of Human Intelligence: Triarchic Model of Human Intelligence refers to a belief that intelligence comprises three (3) aspects, dealing with the relation of intelligence (1) to the internal world of the person, (2) to experience, and (3) to the external world- Tri . . .
  • Triarchic Model of Intelligence: Triarchic Model of Intelligence refers to Sternberg's concept that intelligence is divided into contextual, experiential, and componential subcomponents (See Componential intelligence, Contextual intelligence, Experiential intelligence- and . . .
  • Working model of a close relationship: Working model of a close relationship refers to a infant's working model from his or her early attachments when the he or she develops a mental representation, schema, or working model of what a close relationship is all about which are the . . .
  • Connectionist models: Connectionist models refer to computer models that simulate aspects of development through repeated activation of associated nodes. According to connectionist models, humans handle very large numbers of cognitive operations at once through . . .
  • Developmental models: Developmental models refer to models that address ethical dilemmas and suggest that clinicians at lower developmental levels are dualistic and likely to adhere rigidly to ethical code while clinicians at higher levels are apt to use such co . . .
  • Etiological models of Psychopathology: Etiological models of Psychopathology refers to causal models of abnormal behavior and mental illness that also have implications for assessment and treatment
  • Feature-list models (of semantic memory): Feature-list models (of semantic memory) : Feature-list models (of semantic memory ) refer to Models of semantic memory that hold that language concepts or words can be defined in terms of lists of the characteristics or features they pos . . .
  • Mental models: Mental models is defined as the knowledge structures that individuals construct to understand and explain their experiences- an internal representation of information that corresponds analogously with whatever is being represented- a mental . . .
  • Models: Models is a term in Learning theory that refer to those whose behaviors are imitated by others. In psychology, a model is a simplified representation of a complex concept or phenomenon that is used to aid understanding and make predictions . . .
  • Moral models: Moral models refer to ethical decision-making models that stress the role of moral principles when faced with difficult ethical dilemmas. Please see Kitchener’s Moral model and Rest’s Moral model

Summary

A model in psychology is a simplified representation of a psychological process or phenomenon, used to study and understand human behavior. It helps researchers and professionals organize information, develop theories, and test hypotheses. However, there is a risk of oversimplification and inaccuracies when using models in psychology.

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