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expectation

n.

1. a state of tense, emotional anticipation.

2. in probability and statistics, the long-term average of a random variable. For example, the expectation is that the mean for a specific random variable obtained with an extremely large sample will equal the mean of the population of interest. Also called expectancy. See expected value.

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Psychology term of the day

November 24th 2024

modeling theory

modeling theory

the idea that changes in behavior, cognition, or emotional state result from observing someone else’s behavior or the consequences of that behavior. See observational learning; social learning theory.