The Psychology of Entrepreneurship: Origin, Approaches, and Applications

Jacinto Jardim (), Sara Monteiro () and Anabela Pereira ()
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Jacinto Jardim: Open University, Department of Social Sciences and Management
Sara Monteiro: Open University, Department of Social Sciences and Management
Anabela Pereira: University of Évora, Department of Psychology

A chapter in Entrepreneurial Education in a Global and Digital World, 2026, pp 43-66 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract The psychology of entrepreneurship has evolved into an applied discipline, with a specific focus on examining the psychological factors that influence entrepreneurial behaviour. This chapter examines the formation and development of this discipline, discussing the theories, contributions, epistemology, and controversies that have shaped the field of study. An integrated analysis of the main applications was conducted, with a focus on entrepreneurial education. A theoretical-reflective approach was followed, using thematic analysis to explore and synthesise the most relevant studies. The literature review allowed us to identify the predominant theories and epistemological debates. The analysis revealed a wide range of themes, including the entrepreneurial profile, trait theory, planned behaviour theory, self-efficacy, cognitions, and skills. There are also controversies regarding the multidisciplinary nature, cultural contextualisation, and methodologies of studying the entrepreneurial phenomenon. The contributions of some theorists, such as David McClelland (1917–1998), Albert Bandura (1925–2021) and Icek Ajzen (1942–), whose ideas have shaped the current understanding of the discipline, stand out. It is concluded that the psychology of entrepreneurship, as an applied discipline, offers a multidimensional understanding of the factors that influence entrepreneurial behaviour.

Keywords: Psychology of entrepreneurship; Interdisciplinarity; Theories; Epistemology; Controversies (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:seschp:978-3-032-17012-5_3

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DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-17012-5_3

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