Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Defining Psychology

Defining Psychology

Psychology is the scientific discipline dedicated to understanding both observable behavior and the internal mental processes underlying such behavior. It aims to comprehend human nature and apply this understanding to solve practical problems, enhance well-being, and improve societal outcomes. An example of psychology's application is the study of prosocial behavior, such as why and under what conditions individuals might help strangers in need. This process involves describing observed...

Contemporary Psychology

Contemporary Psychology

Psychology explores human behavior and mental processes through various lenses, each offering unique insights. This overview examines key subfields, including biopsychology, evolutionary, developmental, personality, and social psychology, highlighting their approaches and contributions to understanding complex human behaviors.
Biopsychology
Biopsychology, also known as biological psychology or behavioral neuroscience, focuses on the biological underpinnings of behavior and mental processes. It...

Evolutionary Psychology

Evolutionary Psychology

Evolutionary psychology explores the origins of human behavior and mental processes by framing them within the context of natural selection, a theory famously propounded by Charles Darwin. This field asserts that many behaviors common across human societies — ranging from instinctive fear reactions to complex social interactions — arose as evolutionary adaptations. These adaptations enhanced the survival and reproductive success of our ancestors, thereby becoming embedded in the...

Gestalt Psychology

Gestalt Psychology

Gestalt psychology, founded by Max Wertheimer, Kurt Koffka, and Wolfgang Kohler, emphasizes the importance of understanding perception as an organized whole. Developed as a counter to Wilhelm Wundt's structuralism, this approach posits that our perceptions are more than just the sum of sensory parts; they are comprehensive wholes where the relationships between parts define the perception. The principle "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts" encapsulates this view,...

Introduction to Biological Bases of Psychology

Introduction to Biological Bases of Psychology

Biopsychology serves as a vital bridge connecting the intricate domains of biology and psychology, shedding light on how biological systems influence psychological phenomena. This field scrutinizes the biological substrates of behavior and mental processes, emphasizing the nervous system along with the roles of neurotransmitters, hormones, and genetics. It also incorporates evolutionary perspectives to explain the adaptive nature of mental functions.
The nervous system, the cornerstone of...

Cognitivism

Cognitivism

Cognitive psychology emerged as a significant field in the mid-20th century. It focused on understanding humans' internal mental processes. This approach emphasizes how people perceive, remember, think, and solve problems—elements critical to human cognition.
Previously dominated by behaviorism, which prioritized observable behaviors and largely ignored mental processes, psychology transformed in the 1950s. Cognitive psychologists argue that understanding how we think and process...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Geographical psychology: Spatial variation in psychological phenomena and their consequences.

Trends in cognitive sciences·2026

Same author

Nature adds color to life: Less boredom in natural versus artificial environments.

Journal of experimental psychology. General·2025

Same author

On the Unequal Burden of Obesity: Obesity's Adverse Consequences Are Contingent on Regional Obesity Prevalence.

Psychological science·2024

Same author

Geographic Variation in Personality is Associated With Fertility Across the United States.

Personality science·2024

Same author

Effect sizes and what to make of them.

Nature human behaviour·2024

Same author

The lay of the land: Associations between environmental features and personality.

Journal of personality·2023

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 4, 2026

The Spatial Memory Game: Testing the Relationship Between Spatial Language, Object Knowledge, and Spatial Cognition

The Spatial Memory Game: Testing the Relationship Between Spatial Language, Object Knowledge, and Spatial Cognition

Published on: February 19, 2018

Geographical psychology.

Peter J Rentfrow¹

¹University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.

Current Opinion in Psychology

|November 2, 2019

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Geographical psychology explores how personality varies across regions, influenced by migration, social factors, and environment. These regional personality differences correlate with political, economic, and health indicators.

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Investigating the Effects of Mind-Body-Movement Practices on Brain Function

Author Spotlight: Investigating the Effects of Mind-Body-Movement Practices on Brain Function

Published on: January 26, 2024

Measuring Biophysical and Psychological Stress Levels Following Visitation to Three Locations with Differing Levels of Nature

Measuring Biophysical and Psychological Stress Levels Following Visitation to Three Locations with Differing Levels of Nature

Published on: June 19, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 4, 2026

The Spatial Memory Game: Testing the Relationship Between Spatial Language, Object Knowledge, and Spatial Cognition

The Spatial Memory Game: Testing the Relationship Between Spatial Language, Object Knowledge, and Spatial Cognition

Published on: February 19, 2018

Author Spotlight: Investigating the Effects of Mind-Body-Movement Practices on Brain Function

Author Spotlight: Investigating the Effects of Mind-Body-Movement Practices on Brain Function

Published on: January 26, 2024

Measuring Biophysical and Psychological Stress Levels Following Visitation to Three Locations with Differing Levels of Nature

Measuring Biophysical and Psychological Stress Levels Following Visitation to Three Locations with Differing Levels of Nature

Published on: June 19, 2019

Area of Science:

Geographical psychology investigates the spatial distribution of psychological phenomena.
Focuses on understanding the mechanisms behind psychological organization.
Examines the influence of individual, social, and environmental factors on psychological patterns.

Background:

Geographical variation in personality has been observed both within and between nations.
Previous research highlights geographical differences in personality traits.

Purpose of the Study:

To map the spatial organization of psychological phenomena.
To identify mechanisms driving psychological organization.
To understand the contribution of individual, social, and environmental factors.

Main Methods:

Investigating geographical variation in personality.
Analyzing personality differences between and within nations.
Examining selective migration, social influence, and ecological influence as mechanisms.

Main Results:

Regional personality differences are linked to political, economic, and health indicators in North America and Europe.
Studies reveal geographical differences in personality traits.

Conclusions:

Further research is needed to establish causality between personality and macro-level outcomes.
More investigation is required on the temporal scale and impact of person-environment associations.