Induction (philosophy)

A form of reasoning, also known as empirical induction, in which a general law or principle (i.e., a generalization) is inferred from particular instances of observation.  As a scientific method, it is attributed to Francis Bacon (1561-1626) and subsequently criticized as being logically invalid by David Hume (1711-1776).  See Deduction, Fluid intelligence, Hypothetico-deductive method, Inferences …

Induction (embryology)

A process of interaction during development by which one part of the embryo (such as a specific tissue or cell type) causes another part to differentiate.  It can be positive or instructive (specification of a developmental fate) or negative (restriction of developmental potential).  Primary and secondary inductions take place early and later in development, respectively. …

Individuation

According to Waddington, he introduced it from psychology into embryology as means of denoting the way in which separate elements become organised into a single functioning unit.  For others (e.g., George E. Coghill, 1872-1941), it referred to behaviors emerging from a total integrated pattern and progressing to increasing individuation as a consequence of inhibitory influences …

Indirect aggression

Use of social manipulations against someone, such as getting others to dislike a person, becoming friends with another as a form of revenge, telling a person‚was secrets to another, and saying bad things about a person behind their back.  See Aggressive behavior, Behavior problems

Indices of efficacy

N Sensitivity = a/n1 = true positives/(true positives + false positives) Specificity = d/n2 = true negatives/(true negatives + false positives) Positive predictive value = a/m1 = true positives/(true positives + false positives) Negative predictive value = d/m2 = true negatives/(true negatives + false negatives) Accuracy = (a+d)/N = (true positives + true negatives/all individuals Calculating the five main …

Incipient speciation

Potentially interbreeding groups in a single species that are beginning to become reproductively isolated by behavioral, anatomical, physiological, or geographical differences.  Silverside fish provide a good example of incipient speciation in that that the the marine and estuarine populations have become reproductively isolated.  Thus, reproductive isolation is the key to the onset of this form of …

Incidence

In contrast to prevalence, it quantifies the number of new events or cases of disease that develop in a population of individuals at risk during a specified time interval (typically a year and cases per 100,000), including those who die later or migrate out.  Rates are calculated using life births or total births as the …