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proximal stimulus

the physical energy from a stimulus as it directly stimulates a sense organ or receptor, in contrast to the distal stimulus in the actual environment. In reading, for example, the distal stimulus is the printed page of a book, whereas the proximal stimulus is the light energy reflected by the page that stimulates the photoreceptors of the retina.

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Psychology term of the day

February 23rd 2025

dogmatism

dogmatism

n.

1. the tendency to act in a blindly certain, assertive, and authoritative manner in accordance with a strongly held set of beliefs.

2. a personality trait characterized by this tendency. The belief system of such an individual is strongly held and resistant to change. Nevertheless, it often contains elements that are isolated from one another and thus may contradict one another. See Rokeach Dogmatism Scale. [first proposed by U.S. psychologist Milton Rokeach (1918–1988)] —dogmatic adj.