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learning trial

a single presentation of the information to be learned in a learning experiment. Examples of learning trials are a single pairing of the conditioned stimulus and the unconditioned stimulus in classical conditioning and a single presentation of a word to be remembered in a memory experiment. The amount of learning is typically expressed as a function of the number of learning trials given, as in a learning curve. Also called acquisition trial.

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Psychology term of the day

February 24th 2025

simple structure

simple structure

in exploratory factor analysis, a set of criteria for determining the adequacy of a factor rotation solution. These criteria require that each factor show a pattern of high factor loadings on certain variables and near-zero loadings on others and that each variable load on only one factor. This minimizes the complexity of the factor solution, allows each variable to be most strongly identified with a specific factor, and increases interpretability.