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

November 23rd 2024

opinion leader

an individual to whom others turn for advice or on whom others model their behavior. To be effective, the opinion leader needs to have social ties with other members of the group.