autoimmunity

n. a condition in which the body’s immune system fails to recognize its own tissues as “self” and attempts to reject its own cells. It is a primary factor in the development of such diseases as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus (called autoimmune disorders). —autoimmune adj.

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Psychology term of the day

February 21st 2025

adaptive testing

a testing technique designed to adjust to the response characteristics of individual examinees by presenting items of varying difficulty based on the examinee’s responses to previous items. The process continues until a stable estimate of the ability level of the examinee can be determined. See also item response theory.