Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
In psychology, principles refer to fundamental concepts or guidelines used to explain behavior or phenomena. They provide a framework for understanding human cognition, emotions, development, and more.
Related terms
Psychodynamic Principles: Principles based on Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theory that emphasize the role of unconscious processes and early childhood experiences in shaping behavior.
Learning Principles: Theories and principles that focus on how individuals acquire new behaviors through conditioning, reinforcement, or observation.
Developmental Principles: Principles that explore how individuals change physically, cognitively, emotionally, and socially over their lifespan.