PsychologyAugust 12, 2026

arbitrate

AR-bih-trayt

Definition

To act as an intermediary in settling a difference between two or more conflicting elements or systems.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'arbitratus,' meaning 'to judge' or 'to decide,' which comes from 'arbiter,' meaning a witness or judge.

In the news

In the article, the researchers use a fixed parameter to arbitrate between the fast and slow learning systems, meaning this parameter acts as the judge or balance mechanism that determines how much weight each system holds.

A new dual-process theory solves the mystery of dopamine ramps

Read the full article ↗

PsyPost

Related words

Learn a word like this every day

Meet one new word every morning.

Newspoken pulls one carefully chosen word from the day’s news — with a clear definition, context, and light review that makes it stick. Get it on your phone.