Psychological theories are used for a number of purposes, but primarily they are used to make predictions about behavior. Another use of psychological theory would be to help in the analysis of behavior.
A theory is a belief or an idea which can be used to explain a certain phenomenon. A theory must be supported by reliable evidence in order for it to be accepted by a scientific community. Strictly speaking, a theory can never be "true" or "false", nor can a theory be "proven" right or wrong. Instead, evidence from an experiment or study is said to either support or disparage a theory.
In the study of psychology, theories can relate to almost any aspect of our psychological development. There are psychological theories about how our memories work, how and why we attach to our parents, why we do or do not conform to social norms, and everything in between. There are also lots of different theories which aim to explain psychological problems such as phobias, sleep problems, eating disorders, depression and schizophrenia.
There are a number of ways psychological theory can be used in practice. One way psychologists use psychological theory is in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders or abnormalities. For example, if you were to visit a psychologist to get treatment for your phobia of spiders, the psychologist may attempt to treat you using the principals outlined in a certain theory.
Another way in which psychological theory is used in practice is in experiments and studies. Psychologists may attempt an experiment or study in order to gain supporting (or disparaging) evidence for an existing psychological theory, or they may come up with their own theory and attempt to test it through an experiment or study.
- What is a theory?
A theory is a belief or an idea which can be used to explain a certain phenomenon. A theory must be supported by reliable evidence in order for it to be accepted by a scientific community. Strictly speaking, a theory can never be "true" or "false", nor can a theory be "proven" right or wrong. Instead, evidence from an experiment or study is said to either support or disparage a theory.
- What is a psychological theory?
In the study of psychology, theories can relate to almost any aspect of our psychological development. There are psychological theories about how our memories work, how and why we attach to our parents, why we do or do not conform to social norms, and everything in between. There are also lots of different theories which aim to explain psychological problems such as phobias, sleep problems, eating disorders, depression and schizophrenia.
- How is psychological theory used in practice?
There are a number of ways psychological theory can be used in practice. One way psychologists use psychological theory is in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders or abnormalities. For example, if you were to visit a psychologist to get treatment for your phobia of spiders, the psychologist may attempt to treat you using the principals outlined in a certain theory.
Another way in which psychological theory is used in practice is in experiments and studies. Psychologists may attempt an experiment or study in order to gain supporting (or disparaging) evidence for an existing psychological theory, or they may come up with their own theory and attempt to test it through an experiment or study.