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moral commitment

in U.S. sociologist Michael P. Johnson’s tripartite model of marital commitment, a form of commitment in which a person feels tied to a relationship because of a sense of moral or ethical obligation or duty. Moral commitment often reflects religious or societal beliefs, but it may also derive from an individual’s values about the importance of acting in a manner that affirms one’s vows, promises, and obligations. Compare personal commitment; structural commitment.

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Psychology term of the day

January 2nd 2025

novelty

novelty

n. the quality of being new and unusual. It is one of the major determining factors directing attention. The attraction to novelty has been shown to begin as early as 1 year of age; for example, when infants are shown pictures of visual patterns, they will stare longer at a new pattern than at a pattern they have already seen. In consumer behavior, the attraction to novelty is manifested as a desire for a change, even in the absence of dissatisfaction with the present situation. For example, despite satisfaction with a particular product, many consumers will switch to a different brand just because it is new.