authority

n. the capacity to influence others. Formal authority enables an individual to exert influence as a result of either high, legally recognized office (legitimate authority) or high rank in a long-established but not legally codified hierarchy (traditional authority). Informal authority is based on the individual having either attributes that facilitate the achievement of a group’s goals (rational or expert authority) or an attractive and authoritative personality serving to enhance his or her credibility (charismatic authority).

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Psychology term of the day

May 9th 2024

anthropometry

1. the scientific study of how the size and proportions of the human body are affected by such variables as age, sex, and ethnicity.

2. the taking of measurements of the human body for purposes of comparison and study. —anthropometric adj. —anthropometrist n.