irresistible impulse rule

formerly, a rule commonly used in U.S. courts of law for determining insanity, according to which defendants were judged to be insane and therefore absolved of criminal responsibility if they were unable to control their conduct, even if they were aware that it was wrong. This rule is no longer used.

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Psychology term of the day

November 19th 2024

carbon dioxide

(formula: CO₂) a colorless, odorless, incombustible gas formed during respiration, decomposition of organic substances, and combustion. All life on earth is carbon based. The increasing CO₂ concentration in the atmosphere is considered to be a main cause of global warming.