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possessiveness

n.

1. in general, excessive striving to claim possession or ownership.

2. an abnormal tendency to control or dominate others, generally involving the restriction of their social relationships. In its most extreme form, this pattern of behavior is often associated with abusive relationships.

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Psychology term of the day

September 8th 2024

drift

drift

n.

1. a reduction in variation in genetic traits that can occur when sampling from continually smaller groups, such that some traits ultimately become excluded from possibility.

2. a reduction in the reliability of technical instruments orin the accuracy of observers over time. See instrument drift; observer drift.