nonshared environment

in behavior genetic analyses, aspects of an environment that individuals living together (e.g., in a family household) do not share and that therefore cause them to become dissimilar to each other. Examples of nonshared environmental factors include different friends or teachers that siblings in the same household might have at school or elsewhere outside of the home. Also called unshared environment. Compare shared environment.

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Psychology term of the day

January 31st 2025

I statement

a communication tool in which the first person pronoun is used in talking about relationship issues. Therapists may coach clients to use “I” instead of “you” in statements, such as, “I am bothered by your habit” rather than “You have a bad habit” (which is a you statement). I statements tend to reduce the negativity and blame directed toward the other person and put the ownership of the issue with the speaker, not the listener.