What does the psychological term 'priming' refer to?

The correct answer emphasizes the concept of 'priming' in psychology, which involves the implicit influence that prior experiences and information have on an individual's subsequent thoughts, behaviors, or responses. When a person is 'primed,' they are more likely to respond in a certain way based on cues or stimuli they have been previously exposed to, often unconsciously. This can manifest in various contexts, such as when certain words or images trigger specific thoughts or reactions.

For example, if someone has recently seen the word “yellow” and is later asked to name a fruit, they may be more likely to respond with “banana” rather than another fruit like “apple.” This shows how previous exposure can shape our cognitive processes and decisions without our conscious awareness. The phenomenon illustrates the nuanced ways in which our minds connect experiences and influences, reinforcing the importance of understanding how context and prior input can shape current behavior and perception.

The other options do not accurately capture the essence of priming; they describe different psychological concepts that do not relate directly to the mechanisms of influence based on prior expectations.