arousal-boost mechanism

any steadily increasing degree of general arousal associated with or produced by contact with a stimulus that gives rise to a measurable hedonic (pleasure) effect. For example, a person listening to a piece of music might find it pleasurable precisely for the heightened anticipation induced by its harmonic structure. Compare arousal-reduction mechanism. [proposed in 1967 by Daniel E. Berlyne as part of his theory of positive hedonic value as a psychological effect of art]

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Psychology term of the day

February 20th 2025

dual representation

the ability to comprehend an object simultaneously as the object itself and as a representation of something else. For example, a photograph of a person can be represented both as the print itself and as the person it depicts. Also called dual encoding; dual orientation.