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Boolean algebra

a set of rules that simplify the expression of relatively complex logical statements by describing them in terms of different variables whose outcomes are either true or false. In Boolean algebra, which underlies digital computation systems, words are used to create logical combinations or operators (e.g., and, or, not). [George Boole (1815–1864), British mathematician and logician]

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Psychology term of the day

February 17th 2025

sexually dimorphic nucleus

sexually dimorphic nucleus

a nucleus of the central nervous system that differs in size between males and females. In humans, for example, a nucleus in the medial preoptic area of the hypothalamus that synthesizes gonadotropin-releasing hormone tends to be larger and more active in males than in females because gonadotropin release is continuous (it is cyclical in females). In songbirds whose males sing more than females, several brain nuclei associated with both song learning and song production are larger in males than in females.