spasm

n. a sudden, involuntary muscle contraction. It may be continuous or sustained (tonic) or it may alternate between contraction and relaxation (clonic). A spasm may be restricted to a particular body part; for example, a vasospasm involves a blood vessel, and a bronchial spasm involves the bronchi. —spasmodic adj.

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Psychology term of the day

November 18th 2024

primary reinforcer

see natural reinforcer; primary reinforcement.