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null distribution

in statistical testing, the probability distribution of values for a particular test statistic that is obtained when the null hypothesis is true. For example, the F ratio from an analysis of variance follows the F distribution if the null hypothesis is correct. Also called null hypothesis distribution. Compare alternative hypothesis distribution.

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Psychology term of the day

November 21st 2024

self-evaluation maintenance model

self-evaluation maintenance model

a conceptual analysis, related to social comparison theory, in which an individual is assumed to maintain a positive self-evaluation by (a) associating with high-achieving individuals who excel in areas with low relevance to his or her sense of self-worth and (b) avoiding association with high-achieving individuals who excel in areas that are personally important to him or her. [developed by U.S. social psychologists Abraham Tesser (1941–  ), Jennifer D. Campbell (1944–  ), and their colleagues]