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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

May 2nd 2024

outer psychophysics

outer psychophysics

an attempt to establish the direct relationship between the physical intensity of sensory stimuli and the intensity of the related mental experience. Compare inner psychophysics. See psychophysical law. [introduced by Gustav Theodor Fechner]