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withdrawal reflex

a reflex that may be elicited by any painful stimulus or unexpected threat to the well-being of the individual. It is characterized by sudden movement away from the potentially damaging stimulus, which requires rapid coordination of neuromuscular units.

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Psychology term of the day

March 17th 2025

dominance–subordination

dominance–subordination

a form of social relationship within groups with a leader or dominant member who has priority of access to resources over other, subordinate members of the community. Among nonhuman animals, dominance–subordination relationships are highly organized in troops of baboons, in which dominant males have more access to food resources and mates than do subordinate males and all males often appear to have dominance over females. In hyena groups, the relationship is reversed, with males subordinate to females.