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contamination

n.

1. in testing and experimentation, the situation in which prior knowledge, expectations, or other factors relating to the variable under study are permitted to influence the collection and interpretation of data about that variable.

2. the mixing together of two or more discrete percepts, such as might occur on the Rorschach Inkblot Test or the Machover Draw-a-Person Test.

3. the creation of a neologism by combining a part of one word with a part of another, usually resulting in a word that is unintelligible.

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Psychology term of the day

May 10th 2024

self-consistency perspective

self-consistency perspective

a variation of cognitive dissonance theory in which cognitive dissonance is considered particularly likely to occur when an inconsistency involves some aspect of the self. This perspective differs from self-affirmation theory in that dissonance can be reduced only by resolving the specific inconsistency that gave rise to the discomfort; it does not allow for the possibility that dissonance can be reduced by affirming some other aspect of the self. [originally proposed by U.S. psychologist Elliot Aronson (1932–  )]