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philosophy of science

the branch of philosophy devoted to the study and understanding of science and its development. It is concerned with such matters as the methods of science, the nature of scientific knowledge and scientific explanation, and the meaning of the scientific enterprise.

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Psychology term of the day

February 23rd 2025

vacuum activity

vacuum activity

in classical ethology, the occurrence of a fixed action pattern in the absence of the usual external stimulus (the releaser, or sign stimulus) that triggers the pattern. This is believed to be caused by a build-up of action-specific or motivational energy that overrides the innate releasing mechanism. Also called vacuum response. [proposed by Konrad Lorenz]