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early experience

experience acquired in the first 5 years of life, which is believed to have a significant influence on a child’s subsequent cognitive, social, and emotional development. Whereas theorists in the first half of the 20th century believed that early experience permanently determined a child’s development, subsequent research has indicated that later experience can modify the effects of early experience.

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Psychology term of the day

September 17th 2024

scrying

scrying

n. a divination practice in which a person attempts to see visions of or gain insights about the past, present, or future by staring into fire, smoke, or more commonly, a shiny, opaque, or reflective medium, such as water, crystals or a crystal ball, glass, or mirrors. See also crystal gazing.