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Lloyd Morgan’s canon

the principle that the behavior of a nonhuman animal should not be interpreted in complex psychological terms if it can instead be interpreted with simpler concepts. Lloyd Morgan’s canon, proposed in 1894, helped eliminate the older concept of anthropomorphism, or the endowment of animals with human traits, although some recent authors have argued that its application oversimplifies the abilities of animals. Also called Morgan’s canon; Morgan’s principle. [Conwy Lloyd Morgan]

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Psychology term of the day

October 18th 2024

social representation

social representation

a system, model, or code for unambiguously naming and organizing values, ideas, and conduct, which enables communication and social exchange (i.e., at the levels of language and behavior) among members of a particular group or community. [term coined and theory elaborated by Romanian-born French psychologist Serge Moscovici (1925–  )]