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ascendance

n. a personality trait involving a desire to be prominent in group situations, to assert oneself, and to acquire positions of authority over others. Traditional paper-and-pencil measures of ascendance can predict an individual’s emergence as the leader in small groups. Also called ascendancy. See also dominance. —ascendant adj.

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Psychology term of the day

May 9th 2024

postural aftereffect

postural aftereffect

a change in posture that arises as an aftereffect of prior stimulation. For example, when viewing a moving scene, a person typically leans in the direction of the motion. When viewing ends, body posture returns to a vertical position and then, briefly, leans in the opposite direction.