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reciprocal inhibition

1. a technique in behavior therapy that aims to replace an undesired response (e.g., anxiety) with a desired one by counterconditioning. It relies on the gradual substitution of a response that is incompatible with the original one and is potent enough to neutralize the anxiety-evoking power of the stimulus. See also systematic desensitization. [devised by Joseph Wolpe]

2. in neuroscience, the inhibition of one spinal reflex when another is elicited. [proposed by Charles Scott Sherrington]

3. a neural mechanism that prevents opposing muscles from contracting at the same time.

4. the inability to recall two associated ideas or items because of their interference with each other.

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Psychology term of the day

September 17th 2024

buffering

buffering

n.

1. the protection against stressful experiences that is afforded by an individual’s social support.

2. in industrial and organizational theory, any practice by which an organization protects its operations from environmental uncertainty, for example, by accruing excess inventory to provide a safety margin. —buffer vb.