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hot plate

an apparatus used in studies of heat or pain sensitivity. A nonhuman animal (usually a rat or a mouse) is placed on top of an electrically heated plate, the temperature of which is controlled by the experimenter. The time that elapses before the animal raises its front paws off the plate at a given temperature is used as an index of sensitivity to heat or pain.

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Psychology term of the day

May 8th 2024

axiom

axiom

n. in logic and philosophy, a universally accepted proposition that is not capable of proof or disproof. An axiom can be used as the starting point for a chain of deductive reasoning. Also called postulate. [from Greek axioma, “worthy thing”] —axiomatic adj.