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faculty psychology

any approach to psychological issues based on the idea that mental processes can be divided into separate specialized abilities or powers, which can be developed by mental exercises in the same way that muscles can be strengthened by physical exercises. Faculty psychology was formulated in the 18th century by Scottish philosophers Thomas Reid (1710–1796) and Dugald Stewart (1753–1828), who held that will, judgment, perception, conception, memory, and so forth could be explained simply by referring to their active powers; for example, individuals remember because they possess the faculty of memory.

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Psychology term of the day

March 16th 2025

child care worker

child care worker

an individual trained to attend to children on a day-to-day basis in a variety of group settings, including child care centers, schools, businesses, private households, and health care institutions. Child care workers perform such tasks as dressing, feeding, bathing, and overseeing play.