covariance matrix

a square matrix that represents how variance in each variable in a set is related to variance in all other variables in the set. The covariances between pairs of variables are located at the intersection of the row and column that correspond to the two variables. The quantities along the diagonal of the matrix are variances rather than covariances. Also called dispersion matrix; variance–covariance matrix.

Browse dictionary by letter

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Psychology term of the day

March 17th 2025

dominance–subordination

a form of social relationship within groups with a leader or dominant member who has priority of access to resources over other, subordinate members of the community. Among nonhuman animals, dominance–subordination relationships are highly organized in troops of baboons, in which dominant males have more access to food resources and mates than do subordinate males and all males often appear to have dominance over females. In hyena groups, the relationship is reversed, with males subordinate to females.