moratorium

n. in Erik Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development, the experimental period of adolescence in which, during the task of discovering who one is as an individual separate from family of origin and as part of the broader social context, young people try out alternative roles before making permanent commitments to an identity. Adolescents who are unsuccessful at negotiating this stage risk confusion over their role in life. See identity versus identity confusion. See also identity status model.

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Psychology term of the day

November 21st 2024

feedback system

a circuit in which output information (e.g., biological, mechanical) is used to modulate the input to the same circuit. In a negative feedback system, the output is used to reduce the input; such systems play important roles in maintaining equilibrium of processes within organisms. See homeostasis; positive feedback.