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Definition The Hawthorne Effect refers to the phenomenon where individuals alter their behavior simply because they are aware that they are being observed. This effect is often seen in research studies or workplace settings, where people tend to act differentl...

Definition Community rating in health insurance refers to a pricing method where premiums (the amount you pay for coverage) are set based on factors such as age, geographic location, and family size, rather than individual health status or pre-existing conditi...

Definition Experience ratings in health insurance refer to a method used by insurance companies to determine premium rates based on the historical claims data of an individual or group. This approach assesses past medical expenses to predict future healthcare ...

Definition A Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) is a type of managed health insurance plan that provides medical coverage through a specific network of healthcare providers—such as doctors, hospitals, and clinics—under a fixed monthly premium. Members usual...

Definition The hidden curriculum refers to the unintended lessons, values, and norms that students learn indirectly through their experiences in an educational setting. These are not explicitly taught or written down in a syllabus but are instead absorbed by s...

Definition Higher order conditioning is a concept in classical conditioning where a neutral stimulus becomes conditioned through its association with another conditioned stimulus, rather than directly with an unconditioned stimulus. It involves creating a chai...

Definition The hindbrain is a region at the base of the brain responsible for controlling vital life-sustaining functions, such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. It also plays a key role in coordinating movement, balance, and posture. The hindbrain...

Definition Hindsight bias is a psychological phenomenon where people believe, after an event has occurred, that they had predicted or anticipated the outcome beforehand. In reality, this "prediction" often emerges only after the fact and is colored by knowledg...

Definition The hippocampus is a small, curved structure located in the medial temporal lobe of the brain. It plays a critical role in the formation of new memories, particularly in consolidating information from short-term to long-term memory. The hippocampus ...

Definition Homogamy refers to the tendency of individuals to marry or form relationships with others who are similar to them in terms of social characteristics such as age, education level, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, religion, or cultural background. Thi...

Definition The E.A. Hooten / William H. Sheldon theory of deviance is a perspective that examines how biological factors influence individual behavior, particularly deviant behavior. According to this theory, certain physical characteristics or body types are ...

Definition A hormone is a chemical messenger produced by glands in the endocrine system that regulates various bodily functions, such as growth, metabolism, mood, and reproduction. Hormones are released into the bloodstream and travel to target cells or organs...

Definition Karen Horney's Theory of Personality is a psychological framework that emphasizes the role of social and cultural influences in shaping personality, as opposed to Freud's focus on biological instincts. According to Horney, individuals are driven by ...

Definition Humanistic psychology is a psychological perspective that emphasizes personal growth, self-awareness, free will, and the innate drive toward self-actualization. Developed as a reaction against both psychoanalysis and behaviorism, it focuses on the w...

Definition A hypnagogic state is the transitional phase between wakefulness and sleep. During this brief period, individuals often experience vivid, fragmented thoughts, images, or sensations that can feel dreamlike but are not yet part of a full dream. These ...

Definition A hypnopompic state is the transitional phase between sleep and wakefulness that occurs as a person is waking up. During this time, individuals may experience vivid imagery, thoughts, or sensations that can feel dreamlike or surreal. This state ofte...

Definition Hypnosis is a psychological state characterized by focused attention, increased suggestibility, and an altered perception of reality. It involves guiding someone into a relaxed yet highly aware state where they are more open to accepting suggestions...

Definition The hypothalamus is a small region located at the base of the brain, just above the pituitary gland. It plays a crucial role in maintaining the body's internal balance, or homeostasis, by controlling various essential functions such as body temperat...

Definition A testable prediction about the relationship between two or more variables. Example A researcher, after reviewing the academic literature related to narcissistic characteristics, finds that there has been very little mention of the potential connec...

Definition "The 'I' and the 'Me'" are two key concepts in George Herbert Mead's social behaviorism, which refers to different aspects of the self in human interaction. The "Me" represents the socially conditioned part of an individual's identity, shaped by soc...