Transitivity: meaning, definitions and examples

Linguistics

• In language, verbs can be transitive if they need a direct object (like 'throw' needs a ball).
• Some verbs can be both transitive and intransitive, meaning they can operate with or without an object, like 'run' can stand alone or run a race.
• Transitive verbs form a relationship between the subject and object, creating a dynamic action.

Mathematics

• In set theory, transitive relations are when if A is related to B and B is related to C, then A must also be related to C.
• Transitivity is a key property in ordering relations like less than or equal to, establishing how numbers are compared.
• This concept helps in understanding equivalence classes, as all elements in a class relate to each other.

Philosophy

• Philosophers discuss transitivity in ethics, examining how moral responsibilities can pass from one agent to another.
• It raises critical questions in debates about social obligations and justice, such as who is accountable in a chain of actions.
• Transitive concepts are often explored in theories of meaning and reference in language.

Psychology

• Transitivity in cognitive psychology relates to how people process relationships, influencing decision-making and reasoning.
• Research shows that individuals might overextend transitive reasoning in social relationships—assuming connections based on limited information.
• The concept helps in understanding social dynamics and chain reactions in group behaviors.

Cultural References

• In literature, characters' relationships often express transitivity; actions and consequences ripple through narratives.
• Games like chess demonstrate transitive relations in strategy, where a piece’s move affects the entire board's state.
• In popular media, this is seen in songs and films where characters' decisions impact not just themselves, but a whole network of people.

At rank #28,130, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

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• 28130 transitivity
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