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false positive

a case that is incorrectly included in a group by the test used to determine inclusion. In diagnostics, for example, a false positive is an individual who, in reality, does not have a particular condition but whom the diagnostic instrument indicates does have the condition. In inferential statistics, a false positive is also called a Type I error.

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Psychology term of the day

September 14th 2024

wish

wish

n.

1. in classical psychoanalytic theory, the psychological manifestation of a biological instinct that operates on a conscious or unconscious level.

2. in general language, any desire or longing.