Theory refers to an organized set of concepts that explains a phenomenon or set of phenomena.


Other /More definition:

Theory is a term in Human development that refers to an organized set of ideas that is designed to explain (human) development.

There are five (5) general perpectives that influence current research, although in truth there are comprehensive theories of human development to guide research:

  1. Psychodynamic theory
  2. Learning theory
  3. Cognitive theory
  4. Ecological and systems theory
  5. Theories involving the life-span perspective, selective optimization with compensation, and the life-course perspective.

A theory in the context of psychology is a set of concepts and principles that are used to explain and predict behavior and mental processes. Theories provide a framework for understanding and interpreting observed phenomena, and they guide research by suggesting hypotheses to be tested.

Examples of theories in psychology include:

 

 

Related Articles

Models at psychology-glossary.com■■■■■■■
Models is a term in Learning theory that refer to those whose behaviors are imitated by others; - - . . . Read More
Definition at psychology-glossary.com■■■■■■
- Definition means all the details about an event. In psychology, a definition is a statement that explains . . . Read More
Formal operations at psychology-glossary.com■■■■■■
Formal operations refers to the fourth stage in Piaget's Cognitive-developmental theory that is characterized . . . Read More
Social learning theory at psychology-glossary.com■■■■■■
Social learning theory refers to the theory that we learn social behavior (eg., aggression) by observing . . . Read More
Learning theory at psychology-glossary.com■■■■■■
Learning theory refers one of the general perspectives and comprehensive theories in human developement. . . . Read More
Attachment theory at psychology-glossary.com■■■■■
Attachment theory refers to a view that the ability and need to form an attachment relationship early . . . Read More
Personality theory at psychology-glossary.com■■■■■
Personality theory is defined as a system of concepts, assumptions, ideas, and principles used to understand . . . Read More
Neonativism at psychology-glossary.com■■■■■
Neonativism is a theory in psychology that suggests that humans are born with innate knowledge, rather . . . Read More
Equilibration at psychology-glossary.com■■■■■
Equilibration is a term in Piaget's Theory referring to the process by which Balance is restored to the . . . Read More
Neo-nativism at psychology-glossary.com■■■■■
Neo-nativism refers to the idea that much cognitive knowledge, such as object concept, is innate, requiring . . . Read More