Find over 25,000 psychological definitions


test bias

the tendency of scores on a test to systematically over- or underestimate the true performance of individuals to whom that test is administered, particularly because they are members of specific groups (e.g., ethnic minorities, one or the other gender). See also cultural test bias.

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

October 11th 2024

affiliation

affiliation

n. a social relationship in which a person joins or seeks out one or more other individuals, usually on the basis of liking or a personal attachment rather than perceived material benefits. Some propose that the seeking of cooperative, friendly association with others who resemble or like one or whom one likes is a fundamental human desire, referring to it variously as the affiliation motivation, affiliative drive, affiliative need, or need for affiliation. See also belonging. —affiliative adj.