Psychobabble is a series of short videos that explore terminology, concepts, history, and personalities in Psychology, Sociology, and related fields. These videos are free for use and can be embedded in any website. If you donwload the video and publish it please provide a reference to me and this website.
Visit Dr. K's Psychobabble YouTube Channel
Visit Dr. K’s Psychobabble Blog
A
This video goes over the theory of Adolescent Egocentrism put forth by David Elkind. Explorations of personal fable, invulnerability, and imaginary audience are explained.
This video explains the Opponent-Process Theory that proposes that we see afterimages because light sensitive neurons are antagonistic toward their opposite colors.
This video is about the diagnosis of Agoraphobia
In this video I respond to the comments of one of my viewers. I include some clarity on the concept of agoraphobia and introduce one of the most successful treatment modalities for anxiety.
(Altruism) Pass the Kindness - The Psychology of Altruism
This video briefly explores the socially adaptive and brain activation correlations with altruism.
Asch Effect - Classic Experiments in Psychology
This video explores the classic experiment on the influence of group perception on compliance.
Assimilation and Accommodation
This video explores the concepts of Assimilation and Accommodation as principle aspects of constructivist cognitive theory and the work of Jean Piaget.
Audition - Auditory Cortex and the Basila Membrane
This video explores the role of the auditory cortex in the brain and the basilar membrane in the cochlea in the process of hearing.
B
Behavior - ABC Contingency Theory
This video brings together the concepts of Antecedents, Behaviors, and Consequences to explain how we can define As and Cs to bring about changes in our Bs. The focus is on explaining the As and the conditions we would engage in behavior planning in the first place.
This video takes a deep dive into Antecedents in the ABC Contingency Theory. Starting with a review of antecedents in behavior plans, we explore the cultural, cognitive, and social factors that are ALSO antecedents of all behavior.
Behavior - Baselines and Documentation
Dr. K's Psychobabble - This video considers the importance of Baselines and Documentation in the implementation of behavior management plans. We really don't know if it works unless we have measured what was going on before.
In this video we look at the application of both Classical and Operant Conditioning methods to teach complex behaviors.
Behavior - Dead Man Test - Stranger Test
This video covers the use of two "tests" to determine if your behavior description is workable in behavior management. Descriptions need to be active and precise, these two tests help you determine if you have met that criteria.
Behavior - Negative Reinforcement
This video reviews the difference between positive and negative reinforcers. Both increase and maintain the behavior that precede them, but in different ways.
Behavior - Reinforcement and Punishment
This video discusses the application of the Law of Effect to identifying reinforcers and punishments for use in behavior management. Cultural aspects of the definitions are discussed.
In this video we examine the role of choice as it plays out in the ABC Contingency Theory. Choice of reinforcers, behaviors, and event antecedents, empowers the learner and increases engagement.
This vide examines the various binocular cues that allow us to see depth in a three dimensional world. There is further discussion on 3D images and movies.
This video introduces the field of Biopsychology
C
This video is about Crisis Fatigue, the experience of various emotions as a result of being overwhelmed with circumstances seemingly out of your control. Understanding it and utilizing tips to counter its effects goes a long way toward the prevention of depression, acting out, and self-harm.
D
This video reviews the Developmental Clocks including the Biological, Psychological, Social, and Historical Clocks that influence human development.
This video summarizes the discipline of viewing psychological questions from a developmental point of view. Understanding of how specific theories and models apply to us depends on how old we are.
Dreams and Their Interpretation
In this video I examine the history of dream interpretation, the contributions of Freud and Jung, and my own approach to using dreams and dream symbolism.
E
This video contrasts the concept of Emotional Intelligence with "regular" intelligence and reviews how Emotional Intelligence predicts success.
Emotional Intelligence - How to Increase Your EQ
Following up on my video regarding the definition and skills associated with Emotional Intelligence, this video explores some strategies to improve your EQ.
G
This video looks at the GINI Coefficient as a measure of inequality on a global basis.
This video explores the definition of groups and the application of group context and group dynamics to therapeutic processes. The history of these applications and the diversity of groups is also explored.
H
This video is about the history, importance, and applications of the Hawthorn Effect
This video explores one of the most famous theories in all of psychology, Maslow's Hiearchy of Needs.
I
This video is about James Marcia's theory of Identity Status.
Also known as Imposter Syndrome. This video explores the fairly common experience of imposterism or imposter syndrome. Strategies for dealing with this this experience in your own life are described.
This video is about Erikson Industry vs. Inferiority
In this video we look at the ancient perspectives on intelligence and make our way through Darwin's "Mental Powers" and finally into Pearson's concept of G (general intelligence). This will lead us to our next Intelligence video where we will explore individual differences and the concept of IQ.
In this video we explore the origins of "mental age" and IQ. Then we spend some time talking about the sad history of the application of IQ to label individuals with cognitive disabilities and the application of eugenic policies.
In this video we dive deeper into the concept of IQ. IQ is context and culture specific. It is STILL a good tool to predict how well people will do in SCHOOL, the original intent of Binet's work.
In this video we explore the controversy of the publication of the Bell Curve. This book examines the relationship between race/ethnicity and intelligence. Solutions for the appropriate use of IQ scores is discussed.
This video explores the field of Psychometrics. The definition of intelligence has largely depended on the ways in which we have constructed intelligence tests (and psychological measures in general). Some history on the measurement of intelligence is discussed.
In this video we explore the Triarchic Theory of intelligence put forth by Robert Sternberg. This theory focuses on analytical, creative, and practical applications of intelligence.
In this video we explore the work of Howard Gardner. Gardner is most famous for his theory of Multiple Intelligence made up of eight (or nine, depending on where you look) different types of intelligence expressions such as "interpersonal", "mathematical", "musical", and "kinesthetic".
M
This video covers a basic introduction to the memory process from the information processing perspective.
N
This video examines the innate ability for the brain to adapt to new knowledge and habits throughout the lifespan.
O
Online Dating - Pew Research Center Report
This video provides a very brief review of some of the major findings related to Online Dating from a study conducted by the Pew Research Center in 2019. Upward trends in the popularity of Online Dating apps and websites have probably continued through the COVID 19 Pandemic. The original report can be found here on the Pew Research Center website.
P
Personality - Five Factor Model
This video explores the most commonly discussed personality traits, often referred to as the "Big 5". Openness to experience, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism.
This video briefly explores the socially adaptive and brain activation correlations with altruism.
This video explores the psychological factors that make slot machines so compelling, addictive, and profitable! In addition, we look at the casino setting, colors, lighting, and sound...all specifically geared to ensure you keep putting tokens into the machine!
R
This is a video that provides basic descriptions of the research methods used in social sciences.
This video is about Surveys and the use of surveys in psychological research.
This video explores the concept of variables as they are considered in quantitative research.
S
This video explores the psychobiology of hunger and how it interacts with a traditional Thanksgiving meal. I also explore the value of the dessert and the notion as to why we get tired after the meal.
This video explores the Sociological topics of sex, gender, and sexuality.
This video explains Socialism from a Sociological/Economic perspective.
T
This video explores Sternberg's Triangular Theory of Love
Z
This video explores Lev Vygotsky's perspective on the social nature of learning. Specifically, his thoughts on the Zone of Proximal Development. The ZPD describes how leaning best occurs when it is not too easy and not too hard, but right in the are where it is challenging and success is possible with a minimal degree of help.https://youtu.be/FGw4TwA6Evg