risk factor

a clearly defined behavior or constitutional (e.g., genetic), psychological, environmental, or other characteristic that is associated with an increased possibility or likelihood that a disease or disorder will subsequently develop in an individual. Compare protective factor.

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Psychology term of the day

November 23rd 2024

theoretical probability

the mathematical likelihood of a particular event occurring, as determined by dividing the number of positive outcomes by the total number of possible outcomes. For example, when flipping a coin, the theoretical probability that a tail will occur is 1 divided by 2 (the number of possible outcomes), giving a probability of .5 or 50%.