confusion effect

an antipredator behavior in which each of several animals moves or vocalizes in a highly random way, making it difficult for predators to locate and attack any one individual. See also dilution effect.

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Psychology term of the day

May 10th 2024

Clérambault’s syndrome

a form of erotic paranoia in which a person has delusions that someone else, who is typically older and of higher social status, is in love with him or her. The person continues to hold this belief despite having little contact with the other person and no reciprocation of feelings. The condition is more common in females than in males. Also called de Clérambault’s syndrome. [first described in 1922 by Gaëtan Gatian de Clérambault (1872–1934), French physician]