Mathematical words we use

Abstract

Terms that are used to describe mathematical concepts are often used to describe psychological behaviour. In reading psychological writing which uses these terms, the reader does not always know whether the meanings of term as used in the two subjects are the same, similar, or dissimilar. In this article definitions of a selection of terms that are used in both subjects are compared and through a brief discussion the similarities and differences of meaning are identified.

This article discusses a few terms which were taken from an extensive study of 25 terms which identified the mathematical and psychological meanings as being very similar, similar, slightly similar, or dissimilar in meaning. Of the 25 terms, 9 were very similar in meaning, 11 were similar, 4 were slightly similar, and only 1 term was dissimilar in meaning.