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scientific management

generally, the application of scientific methods to achieve improved worker efficiency and work conditions. More specifically, the term refers to the approach introduced by U.S. engineer Frederick W. Taylor (1856–1915) in the late 19th century and publicized in a 1911 book. This approach, also known as Taylorism or the Taylor system of scientific management, involves (a) studying the work to determine the most efficient way of performing tasks (see time and motion study) and (b) paying workers piece-rate incentives to adopt these methods (see piecework).

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Psychology term of the day

February 16th 2025

compensatory mechanism

compensatory mechanism

a cognitive process that is used to offset a cognitive weakness. For example, someone who is weaker in spatial abilities than in verbal abilities might use compensatory mechanisms to attempt to solve spatial problems, such as mentally rotating a geometric figure by using verbal processes. The underlying theory is that intelligence partly consists of finding ways to compensate for the skills that one has lost over time or in which one was not adept in the first place.