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spinal reflex

an automatic response controlled solely by neural circuits in the spinal cord, often relating to posture or locomotion. They are sometimes classed as segmental reflexes, if the circuit involves only one segment of the spinal cord, or as intersegmental reflexes, if the impulses must travel through more than one spinal segment. Reflexes that require brain activity are suprasegmental reflexes.

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Psychology term of the day

January 19th 2025

holism

holism

n. any approach or theory holding that a system or organism is a coherent, unified whole that cannot be fully explained in terms of individual parts or characteristics. The system or organism may have properties as a complete entity or phenomenon in addition to those of its parts. Thus, an analysis or understanding of the parts does not provide an understanding of the whole. —holistic adj.