teratological defect

a structural or functional abnormality in offspring caused by hereditary factors or an environmental influence, such as maternal exposure to drugs or X-rays during pregnancy. Examples of such defects include Down syndrome, associated with abnormal genetic factors, and the thalidomide syndrome, marked by deformed arms and legs and caused by thalidomide taken during the mother’s pregnancy.

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Psychology term of the day

October 9th 2024

method of absolute judgment

a psychophysical procedure in which stimuli are presented in random order to a participant, whose task is to place each stimulus in a particular category. The stimuli usually vary along one or two dimensions, such as brightness or loudness. Also called absolute-judgment method.