role set

the group of people (and their associated roles) who are related to and interact meaningfully with the occupant of a particular role, communicating the attitudes and behaviors appropriate to that role. See role expectations. [defined in 1957 by U.S. sociologist Robert King Merton (1910–2003)]

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Psychology term of the day

October 15th 2024

cerebellum

n. (pl. cerebella) a portion of the hindbrain dorsal to the rest of the brainstem, to which it is connected by the cerebellar peduncles. The cerebellum modulates muscular contractions to produce smooth, accurately timed ballistic movements; it helps maintain equilibrium by predicting body positions ahead of actual body movements, and it is required for some kinds of motor conditioning. [Latin, literally: “little brain,” diminutive of cerebrum]