Find over 25,000 psychological definitions


original cause

the first or primary cause of a phenomenon; that is, the first in a sequence of causes producing a particular effect. See causal chain; remote cause.

Browse dictionary by letter

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Psychology term of the day

November 23rd 2024

risk factor

risk factor

a clearly defined behavior or constitutional (e.g., genetic), psychological, environmental, or other characteristic that is associated with an increased possibility or likelihood that a disease or disorder will subsequently develop in an individual. Compare protective factor.