Glossary L

Glossary L

Law of similarity refers to a law of association holding that events that are similar to each other are readily associated; a thought of something will tend to cause thoughts of similar things. Law of similarity is a Gestalt law stating that similar things appear to be grouped together.

Law of simplicity --->Law of Pragnanz

Law of small numbers refers to the tendency for people to base sweeping generalizations about an entire group on observations of a small number of individuals from that group.

Law of specific nerve energies refers to statement that each nerve always conveys the same kind of information to the brain

Law of triviality refers to the amount of time a group spends on discussing any issue will be in inverse proportion to the consequentiality of the issue.

Law of use refers to Thorndike's contention that the more often an association is made, the stronger it becomes. Thorndike discarded this law in 1929.

Laws of association refer to those laws thought responsible for holding mental events together in memory. For Aristotle, the Laws of association consisted of the Laws of contiguity, contrast, similarity, and frequency.

Laws of imitation refers to an explanation of crime as learned behavior. Individuals are thought to emulate behavior patterns of others with whom they have contact.