Poisson distribution

a discrete distribution that generates the probability of occurrence of rare events that are randomly distributed in time or space. It is a type of theoretical distribution. Count variables, such as the number of aggressive acts observed on a playground or the number of times a person attempts to stop smoking, take this form. When a variable is distributed in this way, a researcher needs to consider specialized statistical models. [Siméon D. Poisson (1781–1840), French mathematician]

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Psychology term of the day

November 19th 2024

neophobia

1. a persistent and irrational fear of change or of anything new, unfamiliar, or strange.

2. the avoidance of new stimuli, especially foods. —neophobic adj.