camouflage

n. the use of cryptic coloration and vocal signals that are difficult to localize in order to conceal one’s location (see crypsis). Many nonhuman animal species use camouflage to escape the notice of predators or to avoid detection by prey. For example, a stick insect looks like an actual stick in its environment, allowing it to blend in. Camouflage alarm calls have acoustic features that make it difficult to determine the caller’s location. See also countershading. Compare advertisement.

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Psychology term of the day

May 10th 2024

psychometric research

studies in the field of psychological measurement. Such research includes the development of new measures and appropriate methods for their scoring, the establishment of reliability and validity evidence for measures, the examination of item and scale properties and their dimensions, and the evaluation of differential item functioning across subgroups. For example, psychometric research could be used to determine whether a new scale is appropriately administered and scored in a specific subpopulation of respondents.