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work system

1. from a traditional time and motion perspective (see time and motion study), the structures, operations, and schedules required to meet the demands of a production or process system.

2. from a more holistic, ergonomic perspective, the totality of the technological and environmental factors (physical and social) that are relevant to the human achievement of an organizational objective. See macroergonomics; sociotechnical systems approach; systems engineering.

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Psychology term of the day

July 26th 2024

nativism

nativism

n.

1. the doctrine that the mind has certain innate structures and that experience plays a limited role in the creation of knowledge. See also innate ideas; nativistic theory. Compare constructivism; empiricism.

2. the doctrine that mental and behavioral traits are largely determined by hereditary, rather than environmental, factors. See nature–nurture.

3. the theory that individuals are born with all perceptual capabilities intact, although some capabilities may depend on the biological maturation of perceptual systems to reach adult levels. —nativist adj., n. —nativistic adj.