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activity drive

an organism’s hypothetical innate desire or urge to be physically active, often expressed as a need to move about, even in the absence of any apparent stimuli motivating movement, such that activity deprivation may cause distress.

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Psychology term of the day

May 9th 2024

perceptual distortion

perceptual distortion

skewed perceptual experience. Examples include the distorted images produced by dreams or hallucinogenic drugs, geometric illusions (e.g., the Müller-Lyer illusion), visions occurring in states of sensory deprivation or dehydration, and distortions produced by modifying auditory stimuli. Perceptual distortion may also occur as a consequence of acquired brain injury. See also metamorphopsia.