Sources
An explanation should be traceable. Profiles identify what was inspected, which claim a document supports and where its coverage stops.
Textbook and supplementary evidence
OpenStax Psychology 2e supplies the introductory reading map. Selected primary theoretical articles and an original experiment supplement accounts that need a narrower source. Contextual textbook links are labeled rather than presented as direct explanations.
Sources were checked October 21, 2026. An access date is not a publication date. Original teaching scenarios illustrate a theory and do not report empirical outcomes. Read each profile’s local notes when one document serves several theories.
Source catalogue
25 distinct URLs across 28 profiles.
- Baddeley, A. (2000). The episodic buffer: A new component of working memory? Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 4(11), 417–423. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1364-6613(00)01538-2Consulted sourcePrimary article metadata and abstract excerpt retrieved through the indexed PubMed record
Supports the later addition of the episodic buffer. Direct PubMed rendering returned a restricted page and the university PDF failed; full paper was not inspected.
Used in: Working memory model
- Craik, F. I. M., & Lockhart, R. S. (1972). Levels of processing: A framework for memory research. Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior, 11(6), 671–684. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0022-5371(72)80001-xConsulted sourcePrimary theoretical article record and abstract inspected, October 21, 2026
Proposes the original levels-of-processing framework contrasting shallow perceptual analysis with deeper semantic processing and distinguishing maintenance from elaborative rehearsal.
Used in: Levels of processing
- Diener and lucas, Noba: Personality traits. (n.d.). https://nobaproject.com/modules/personality-traitsAcademic teaching module inspected, October 21, 2026
Supports the lexical hypothesis, continuous trait dimensions versus discrete types, major five-factor facets, and the six-factor HEXACO comparison alongside the textbook overview.
Used in: Big Five personality model
- Festinger, L., & Carlsmith, J. M. (1959). Cognitive consequences of forced compliance. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 58(2), 203–210. https://psychclassics.yorku.ca/Festinger/Primary article, university-hosted full text inspected
Supports the original payment manipulation and its insufficient-justification prediction. The restricted sample and laboratory design limit generalization.
Used in: Cognitive dissonance theory
- Kelley, H. H. (1973). The processes of causal attribution. American Psychologist, 28(2), 107–128. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0034225Primary theoretical article record and abstract inspected, October 21, 2026
Establishes Kelley's covariation model (consistency, distinctiveness, and consensus) and causal schemas in attribution theory alongside the textbook overview.
Used in: Attribution approaches
- Noba: Sensation and perception. (n.d.). https://nobaproject.com/modules/sensation-and-perceptionAcademic teaching module inspected, October 21, 2026
Covers absolute and difference thresholds, signal detection concepts in psychophysics, and the interaction of bottom-up and top-down processing.
Used in: Signal detection theory
- Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist, 55(1), 68–78. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066x.55.1.68Consulted sourceAuthor-hosted primary theoretical review: opening theory passages inspected; selected passages pp. 73–74 inspected in independent source review
Supports the three proposed needs, self-endorsed motivation and internalization. The empirical studies summarized in the review were not individually audited.
Used in: Self-determination theory
- Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020). Psychology 2e. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/10-1-motivationTextbook section inspected, October 21, 2026
Supports the introductory account and historical framing. Does not independently verify every original experiment cited by the textbook.
Used in: Arousal approaches to motivation, Drive-reduction theory, Hierarchy of needs, Self-determination theory
- Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020). Psychology 2e. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/10-4-emotionTextbook section inspected, October 21, 2026
Supports the introductory account and historical framing. Does not independently verify every original experiment cited by the textbook.
Used in: Cannon-Bard theory of emotion, Cognitive appraisal theories, James-Lange theory of emotion, Two-factor theory of emotion
- Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020). Psychology 2e. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/11-2-freud-and-the-psychodynamic-perspectiveTextbook section inspected, October 21, 2026
Supports the introductory account and historical framing. Does not independently verify every original experiment cited by the textbook.
Used in: Psychodynamic perspective
- Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020). Psychology 2e. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/11-4-learning-approachesTextbook section inspected, October 21, 2026
Supports the introductory account and historical framing. Does not independently verify every original experiment cited by the textbook.
Used in: Social cognitive theory
- Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020). Psychology 2e. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/11-5-humanistic-approachesTextbook section inspected, October 21, 2026
Supports the introductory account and historical framing. Does not independently verify every original experiment cited by the textbook.
Used in: Person-centered humanistic approach
- Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020). Psychology 2e. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/11-7-trait-theoristsTextbook section inspected, October 21, 2026
Supports the introductory account of trait theories (Allport and Odbert, 1936; Cattell, 1946, 1957; Eysenck, 1947; the Five Factor Model of McCrae and Costa, 1997; and HEXACO).
Used in: Big Five personality model
- Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020). Psychology 2e. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/12-1-what-is-social-psychologyTextbook section inspected, October 21, 2026
Covers dispositional versus situational explanations, the fundamental attribution error (Ross, 1977), actor-observer and self-serving biases, cultural variation, and Weiner's attribution dimensions (locus, stability, and controllability).
Used in: Attribution approaches
- Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020). Psychology 2e. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/12-3-attitudes-and-persuasionTextbook section inspected, October 21, 2026
Supports the introductory account and historical framing. Does not independently verify every original experiment cited by the textbook.
Used in: Cognitive dissonance theory, Elaboration likelihood model
- Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020). Psychology 2e. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/3-1-human-geneticsTextbook section inspected, October 21, 2026
Provides surrounding introductory concepts; the specific theory requires supplementary evidence.
- Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020). Psychology 2e. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/5-1-sensation-versus-perceptionTextbook section inspected, October 21, 2026
Introduces signal detection theory (citing Swets, 1964) and illustrates how motivation and expectations affect detection of faint stimuli alongside sensory thresholds.
Used in: Signal detection theory
- Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020). Psychology 2e. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/5-6-gestalt-principles-of-perceptionTextbook section inspected, October 21, 2026
Supports the introductory account and historical framing. Does not independently verify every original experiment cited by the textbook.
Used in: Gestalt approach to perception
- Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020). Psychology 2e. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/6-2-classical-conditioningTextbook section inspected, October 21, 2026
Supports the introductory account and historical framing. Does not independently verify every original experiment cited by the textbook.
Used in: Classical conditioning
- Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020). Psychology 2e. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/6-3-operant-conditioningTextbook section inspected, October 21, 2026
Supports the introductory account and historical framing. Does not independently verify every original experiment cited by the textbook.
Used in: Operant conditioning
- Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020). Psychology 2e. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/6-4-observational-learning-modelingTextbook section inspected, October 21, 2026
Supports the introductory account and historical framing. Does not independently verify every original experiment cited by the textbook.
Used in: Social learning theory
- Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020). Psychology 2e. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/8-1-how-memory-functionsTextbook section inspected, October 21, 2026
Supports the introductory account and historical framing. Does not independently verify every original experiment cited by the textbook.
Used in: Levels of processing, Multi-store memory model, Working memory model
- Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020). Psychology 2e. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/9-2-lifespan-theoriesTextbook section inspected, October 21, 2026
Supports the introductory account and historical framing. Does not independently verify every original experiment cited by the textbook.
Used in: Moral development theory, Piaget's cognitive development theory, Psychosocial development theory
- Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020). Psychology 2e. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/9-3-stages-of-developmentTextbook section inspected, October 21, 2026
Supports the introductory account and historical framing. Does not independently verify every original experiment cited by the textbook.
Used in: Attachment theory
- Topple, A., Smith, G., Fifkova, E., & Cullen-Dockstader, K. (1990). Nuclear pore complex frequency in CA1 pyramidal cells of the aging rat. Mechanisms of Ageing and Development, 51(1), 33–39. https://doi.org/10.1016/0047-6374(90)90159-dConsulted sourcePrimary article bibliographic record and abstract inspected on PubMed, October 21, 2026
Supports the lexical Big-Five factor structure and its historical development from factor analyses of trait adjectives (including Tupes and Christal, 1961).
Used in: Big Five personality model