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tonic

adj. of or relating to muscle tone, especially a state of continuous muscle tension or contraction, which may be normal (see tonus) or abnormal. For example, a tonic phase of facial muscles prevents the lower jaw from falling open, a normal function. Abnormally, in the tonic phase of a tonic–clonic seizure, the muscles controlling respiration may undergo spasm, resulting in a temporary suspension of breathing.

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Psychology term of the day

October 11th 2024

method of difference

method of difference

the second of the five canons of empirical science laid down by John Stuart Mill. It is meant to establish sufficient conditions for a phenomenon. For example, if under one condition, C1, an effect, E1, does not occur, and as C1 is changed to C2 the effect E1 does occur, it may be concluded that C2 is a sufficient cause of E1, and the alternative hypothesis, that C1 causes E1, can be eliminated. Thus, the effect is attributed to the “difference” between conditions C1 and C2. Also called difference canon.