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Hunter syndrome

an X-linked recessive disease in which there is an excess of mucopolysaccharides in body tissues (see mucopolysaccharidosis). Almost exclusively affecting males, the disorder has two types, severe and attenuated. People with the severe type experience a decline in intellectual function and a rapid disease progression with short life expectancy. Individuals with the attenuated type typically live into adulthood and their intelligence is not affected. Heart disease and airway obstruction are major causes of death in people with both types of the disorder. Also called mucopolysaccharidosis Type II. [Charles Hunter (1872–1955), U.S. physician]

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Psychology term of the day

September 7th 2024

investment model

investment model

a theory explaining commitment to a relationship in terms of one’s satisfaction with, alternatives to, and investments in the relationship. According to the model, commitment is a function of not only a comparison of the relationship to the individual’s expectations but also the quality of the best available alternative and the magnitude of the individual’s investment in the relationship; the investment of resources serves to increase commitment by increasing the costs of leaving the relationship. Although originally developed in the context of romantic associations and friendships and used to explain why people stay in abusive relationships, the investment model has since been extended to a variety of other areas, including employment and education. [proposed in 1980 by U.S. social psychologist Caryl E. Rusbult (1952–2010)]