Specificity: meaning, definitions and examples
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specificity
[ ˌspɛsɪˈfɪsɪti ]
in psychology
The quality of being specific rather than general. It refers to the ability to distinguish one stimulus from similar stimuli.
Synonyms
exactness, particularity, precision
Examples of usage
- The experiment aimed to measure the participants' level of specificity in identifying different emotions.
- The therapist worked on improving the client's specificity in recognizing triggers for anxiety.
in communication
The extent to which a message is detailed, precise, and clearly defined.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The success of the project relied on the specificity of the instructions given to the team members.
- The lack of specificity in the report led to confusion among the readers.
in biology
The degree to which a species is adapted to a specific niche or environment.
Synonyms
adaptation, selectivity, specialization
Examples of usage
- The specificity of the bird's beak shape is directly related to its diet and feeding habits.
- The research focused on the genetic factors that contribute to the specificity of certain plant species.
Translations
Translations of the word "specificity" in other languages:
🇵🇹 especificidade
🇮🇳 विशिष्टता
🇩🇪 Spezifität
🇮🇩 spesifisitas
🇺🇦 специфічність
🇵🇱 specyficzność
🇯🇵 特異性
🇫🇷 spécificité
🇪🇸 especificidad
🇹🇷 özgüllük
🇰🇷 특이성
🇸🇦 خصوصية
🇨🇿 specifičnost
🇸🇰 špecifickosť
🇨🇳 特异性
🇸🇮 specifičnost
🇮🇸 sértækni
🇰🇿 ерекшелік
🇬🇪 სპეციფიკურობა
🇦🇿 spesifiklik
🇲🇽 especificidad
Word origin
The word 'specificity' originated from the Latin word 'specificus', which means 'of a kind or particular'. It entered the English language in the early 17th century. The concept of specificity has been significant in various fields such as psychology, communication, and biology, emphasizing the importance of precision, detail, and adaptation to particular circumstances.