genetic predisposition

a tendency for certain traits to be inherited, including physical and mental conditions and disorders. Schizophrenia, for example, is a mental disorder with a genetic predisposition that affects less than 1% of the general population but increasingly larger percentages of distant relatives, siblings, and identical twins of individuals affected. Also called hereditary predisposition. Compare diathesis.

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Psychology term of the day

May 8th 2024

cooperative learning

1. learning in small groups, to which each student in the group is expected to contribute using interpersonal skills and face-to-face interaction. Students also participate in regular assessment of the group process.

2. a formal method of acquiring information that combines knowledge obtained in a classroom setting with that obtained in a work or applied setting. Typically, the formal classroom aspect of instruction is focused specifically on the actual work experience. See also cooperative training.