latent goal

an objective of a program or organization that is not publicly stated, although it may be known to the staff. The term is also applied to functions that result from the attempt to obtain manifest goals but are not apparent or planned in advance.

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Psychology term of the day

January 3rd 2025

noncontingent reinforcement

the process or circumstances in which a stimulus known to be effective as a reinforcer is presented independently of any particular behavior. Because contingencies may arise by accident (see accidental reinforcement), behavior-independent presentation of stimuli cannot guarantee that no contingency exists between a response and the stimuli. See reinforcement.