leader prototype

a cognitive representation of an actual or abstract leader who is thought to possess features shared by most or all individuals considered to be leaders and so to exemplify that construct. See also attribution theory of leadership; leader categorization theory.

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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.