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displacement behavior

a behavior in which an individual substitutes one type of action for another when the first action is unsuccessful or when two competing motivations are present that lead to incompatible actions. A gull at a territory boundary may direct attacklike actions toward the ground rather than its rival due to simultaneous aggressive and fearful responses to the opponent. A laboratory animal that is frustrated by servings of food that are small and delivered slowly may express displacement behavior by drinking instead of eating. Also called displacement activity.

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Psychology term of the day

May 8th 2024

pluralism

pluralism

n.

1. the idea that any entity has many aspects and that it may have a variety of causes and meanings.

2. in philosophy, the belief that ultimate reality is composed of more than one substance or fundamental kind of entity. Compare dualism; monism.

3. the existence in a society of people having different religions, ethnic origins, and cultural backgrounds. —pluralist adj.