vacuum activity

in classical ethology, the occurrence of a fixed action pattern in the absence of the usual external stimulus (the releaser, or sign stimulus) that triggers the pattern. This is believed to be caused by a build-up of action-specific or motivational energy that overrides the innate releasing mechanism. Also called vacuum response. [proposed by Konrad Lorenz]

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Psychology term of the day

December 21st 2024

azathioprine

n. a drug used to suppress the immune response. It is the most widely used drug in support of organ transplantation and potentially severe cases of immune reactions. U.S. trade name (among others): Imuran.