analogical thinking

thinking characterized by extrapolations from the familiar to the unfamiliar, rather than by the use of formal logic or consecutive reasoning. It is particularly important in problem solving and learning, in which known similarities between aspects of certain entities are used to make assumptions about other aspects or entities. Also called analogical reasoning.

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Psychology term of the day

December 26th 2024

morbid dependency

excessive reliance on or need for another person or situation such that the dependent person has difficulty functioning independently. See dependency need.