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autotomy

n.

1. in animal behavior, the casting off of a body part, as, for example, when a lizard sheds its tail to escape from a predator.

2. self-mutilation or the cutting off by an individual of his or her body parts.

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Psychology term of the day

February 20th 2025

dual representation

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.