psychology 

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KembaraXtra-Psychology – Bruce Effect


The Bruce effect refers to a phenomenon observed in mice in which a recently mated female fails to maintain pregnancy when exposed to the scent of an unfamiliar male. The effect is triggered by pheromones present in the urine of the strange male, which disrupt prolactin secretion and prevent implantation of the fertilized ovum. It was first described by British reproductive biologist Hilda Margaret Bruce in 1959. This phenomenon illustrates the powerful role of olfactory cues and pheromonal communication in reproductive biology.P
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KembaraXtra-Psychology – Bromocriptine

Bromocriptine is a dopamine agonist medication derived from ergot alkaloids. It mimics the action of dopamine in the brain and is commonly used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, where dopamine deficiency contributes to motor symptoms. It is also prescribed for certain hormonal conditions such as amenorrhoea and infertility because it suppresses prolactin secretion from the anterior pituitary gland. By targeting dopamine receptors, bromocriptine demonstrates the close relationship between neurochemistry and both motor and endocrine regulation.


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KembaraXtra-Psychology – British Sign Language (BSL)


British Sign Language (BSL) is a fully developed visual–gestural language used primarily by Deaf communities in the United Kingdom. It conveys meaning through hand shapes, movements, facial expressions, and the spatial positioning of signs relative to the body. BSL has its own grammar and syntax distinct from spoken English. It is not mutually intelligible with American Sign Language, reflecting independent linguistic development. BSL plays a central role in Deaf culture and communication.
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KembaraXtra-Psychology – Brightness

Brightness refers to the subjective perception of the intensity of light. Although often used interchangeably with lightness, brightness typically denotes perceived luminance, whereas lightness refers to perceived reflectance of surfaces. The distinction is subtle but important in visual perception research.


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KembaraXtra-Psychology – Brightness Contrast

Brightness contrast refers to the perceptual phenomenon in which the brightness of an area appears different depending on the luminance of surrounding areas. It is closely related to lightness contrast and illustrates how visual perception depends on contextual comparison rather than absolute luminance.


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KembaraXtra-Psychology – Brightness Enhancement

Brightness enhancement is the phenomenon whereby a light flickering at approximately 10 hertz appears brighter than the same light presented steadily. This effect is thought to result from increased activity in retinal ganglion cells at certain flicker frequencies below the critical flicker fusion threshold.


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KembaraXtra-Psychology – Brightness Masking


Brightness masking is a form of visual masking in which a bright flash of light interferes with the perception of another visual stimulus. The intense luminance disrupts normal visual processing, reducing visibility of the target stimulus.


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KembaraXtra-Psychology – British Ability Scales (BAS)

The British Ability Scales (BAS) are standardising intelligence tests developed for children and adolescents up to approximately 17 or 18 years of age. First introduced in 1979, the scales consist of numerous subtests measuring a broad range of cognitive abilities. They generate scores for verbal IQ, visual or nonverbal IQ, and general IQ. The test assesses processes such as reasoning, spatial imagery, perceptual matching, short-term memory, information-processing speed, and knowledge retrieval. The BAS is widely used in educational psychology and has demonstrated strong correlations with academic achievement.


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KembaraXtra-Psychology – Brodmann Area (BA)

A Brodmann area is one of 47 numbered regions of the cerebral cortex identified by the German neurologist Korbinian Brodmann in the early 20th century. Brodmann constructed a cytoarchitectonic map, meaning that he divided the cortex based on differences in cellular structure, layering, and organization observed under the microscope. Although originally anatomical in basis, many of these areas were later found to correspond closely to specific psychological and neurological functions. For example, Area 17 corresponds to the primary visual cortex, while Areas 44 and 45 are associated with language production (Broca’s area). The Brodmann map remains widely used in neuroscience and neuroimaging research.


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KembaraXtra-Psychology – Bril

A bril is a unit used to quantify perceived brightness. In this system, a luminance level of one millilambert is arbitrarily assigned a value of 100 brils. Although not commonly used in everyday measurement, the unit reflects early attempts to standardize subjective brightness perception in psychophysical research.


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