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dialectical operations

mechanisms by which development occurs as a result of interactions between the individual and the environment. Rather than emphasizing universal stages of development, theorists taking a dialectical perspective, such as Lev Vygotsky, argue that development takes place as individuals both react to and influence their social environment. Models of this sort are based on the theories of German philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1770–1831).

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Psychology term of the day

January 5th 2025

common region

common region

a recently introduced gestalt principle of organization, stating that objects sharing a common bounded region of space appear to belong together and tend to be perceived as a distinct group. For example, animals in a fenced-in enclosure are more likely to be seen as a group than are the same distribution of animals arrayed in open space. Also called law of common region; principle of common region. [proposed in 1992 by U.S. psychologist Stephen E. Palmer (1948–  )]