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Definition The pituitary gland is a small, pea-sized organ located at the base of the brain. Often called the "master gland," it plays a crucial role in regulating various bodily functions by producing and releasing hormones. These hormones control growth, rep...

Definition Play therapy is a form of psychotherapy that utilizes play, children’s natural medium of communication, to help them express their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a safe and supportive environment. Conducted by trained professionals, play the...

Definition Pluralism in sociology refers to a social system or society characterized by diversity among its members, particularly in terms of culture, ethnicity, religion, language, or other distinct group identities. Unlike assimilation, where minority groups...

Definition A political action committee (PAC) is an organization formed to raise and spend money to support or oppose political candidates, ballot initiatives, or legislative issues during elections. PACs are typically created by businesses, labor unions, inte...

Definition Polygamy refers to a marital practice where an individual has multiple spouses simultaneously. It can take two primary forms: polygyny, where one man is married to multiple women, and polyandry, where one woman is married to multiple men. This pract...

Definition Polytheism is the belief in or worship of multiple deities, often with distinct personalities, roles, and domains. Unlike monotheism, which recognizes a single all-powerful god, polytheism typically involves a pantheon of gods who may interact with ...

Definition The pons is a region in the brainstem, located between the medulla oblongata and the midbrain. It acts as a communication hub, connecting various parts of the brain to facilitate coordination of motor movements, sensory information processing, and r...

Definition The entire group of individuals relevant to a particular research question. Example A researcher is interested in voting behaviors of people in a particular country. The population consists of every citizen of the country. A sample of this popula...

Definition Positive Psychology is the scientific study of human strengths, virtues, and optimal functioning. It focuses on understanding what makes life worth living by exploring topics such as happiness, well-being, resilience, and positive emotions. Unlike t...

Definition Positive punishment in operant conditioning refers to a process where an aversive stimulus or unpleasant consequence is introduced immediately after a behavior, with the goal of decreasing the likelihood of that behavior occurring again in the futur...

Definition Positive reinforcement is a concept within operant conditioning, a learning theory that focuses on how behaviors are shaped by their consequences. Specifically, positive reinforcement occurs when a desirable behavior is followed by a pleasant or rew...

Definition The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is the front part of the brain's frontal lobe, located just behind the forehead. It plays a crucial role in higher-order functions such as planning, decision-making, problem-solving, regulating emotions, controlling impul...

Definition Prejudice refers to preconceived opinions or judgments about a person or group of people based on stereotypes, biases, or beliefs that are not necessarily grounded in fact. It often involves making assumptions about individuals without sufficient kn...

Definition Primary deviance refers to a minor or first-time act of rule-breaking behavior that does not result in the individual identifying as a "deviant" person. It occurs when someone violates societal norms, laws, or expectations but does not see themselve...

Definition A primary reinforcer is a stimulus that naturally reinforces behavior because it satisfies a biological need or desire. Unlike secondary reinforcers, which are learned (like money or praise), primary reinforcers are inherently rewarding and do not r...

Definition Primary socialization is the process through which individuals first learn the norms, values, behaviors, and language of their society, typically during early childhood. It occurs within close-knit environments such as families, communities, or educ...

Definition A primary group in sociology refers to a small, intimate social grouping where members share close, long-term relationships characterized by face-to-face interaction and emotional bonding. These groups are typically informal and serve as the foundat...

Definition Proactive interference is a concept in cognitive psychology that occurs when previously learned information interferes with the ability to learn or recall new information. It happens because older memories or knowledge can unintentionally influence ...

Definition Procedural memory is a type of long-term memory that stores information about how to perform specific tasks or skills automatically, often referred to as "knowing how." Unlike explicit memory, which involves conscious recall of facts or events, proc...

Definition Proprioception is the ability to sense the position, movement, and orientation of your body parts in space without relying on visual cues. It is often referred to as "your sixth sense" because it allows you to know where your arms, legs, and other b...