Find over 25,000 psychological definitions


teaching machine

an instrument that (a) automatically presents programmed material to the learner, (b) provides an opportunity to check understanding at each step through problems or questions, and (c) provides feedback as to whether the response is right or wrong. One equivalent of the teaching machine is programmed instruction, which B. F. Skinner advocated. The modern-day equivalent of teaching machines is the personal computer, which is widely accepted as a supplement for teaching complex tasks, concepts, or skills, in addition to specific content areas. See branching.

Browse dictionary by letter

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Psychology term of the day

November 16th 2024

marital conflict

marital conflict

open or latent antagonism between marriage partners. The nature and intensity of conflicts varies greatly, but studies indicate that the prime sources are often sexual disagreement, child-rearing differences, temperamental differences (particularly the tendency of one partner to dominate), and, to a lesser extent, religious differences, differences in values and interests, and disagreements over money management.