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data mining

the automated (computerized) examination of a large set of observations or measurements, particularly as collected in a complex database, in order to discover patterns, correlations, and other regularities that can be used for predictive purposes. Although a relatively new discipline, data mining has become a widely utilized technique within commercial and scientific research. For example, retailers often use data mining to predict the future buying trends of customers or to design targeted marketing strategies, whereas clinicians may use it to determine variables predicting hospitalization for psychological disorders. Data mining incorporates methods from statistics, logic, and artificial intelligence.

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Psychology term of the day

January 18th 2025

consistent missing

consistent missing

in parapsychology experiments using Zener cards or similar targets, the phenomenon in which a participant’s “calls,” or guesses, are consistently wrong or significantly below chance expectations. Some people attribute such systematic failure to processing error or a conscious or nonconscious reluctance to confirm psychic ability. See also psi-missing.