leader categorization theory

an information-processing model that assumes that perceivers automatically and spontaneously appraise the extent to which people, including themselves, can be classified as leaders. Such judgments are determined by implicit leadership theories that organize perceivers’ general beliefs about the characteristics that most leaders possess. See also attribution theory of leadership; leader prototype.

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Psychology term of the day

February 16th 2025

sun compass

the use of the sun as a directional stimulus in orientation and navigation. Because the sun appears to move across the sky during the day and has different trajectories in different seasons, a sun compass must be coupled with some form of time estimation. To head south at 9 a.m., one needs to keep the sun on the left, but at 3 p.m., one needs to keep the sun on the right. Studies of several species, ranging from bees to fish and birds, have demonstrated a time-compensated sun compass. For nocturnal species, there is evidence of a star compass.