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extended family

1. a family unit consisting of parents and children living in one household with other individuals united by kinship (e.g., grandparents, cousins).

2. in modern Western societies, the nuclear family together with various other relatives who live nearby and keep in regular touch.

3. most generally, any family members beyond the nuclear family (e.g., grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles). Also called consanguineous family.

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Psychology term of the day

November 18th 2024

contrast polarity

contrast polarity

the degree of contrast between two visual elements, particularly figure and background. Contrast can be positive (light objects against dark backgrounds, e.g., a white letter printed upon black paper) or negative (dark objects against light backgrounds, e.g., a black letter printed upon white paper).