epigenetic landscape

a visual metaphor that depicts development as a hill with valleys of various depths and steepness, to convey the idea that some aspects of development are directed along certain general pathways and likely to occur under most circumstances but that the exact sequence of paths varies across individuals and can be altered by sudden environmental or genetic change. [proposed by British biologist Conrad Hall Waddington (1905–1975)]

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Psychology term of the day

November 22nd 2024

precompetition anxiety

increased cognitive and physiological arousal before a competition. Precompetition anxiety may facilitate or inhibit performance, depending on the performer’s perception of readiness or apprehension. See debilitative anxiety; facilitative anxiety.