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contamination obsession

an intense preoccupation with disease, dirt, germs, mud, excrement, sputum, and so forth, based on a feeling that the world is disgusting, decaying, and dying. It is a frequent symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder, and, in extreme cases, it is regarded as a symptom of schizophrenia.

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Psychology term of the day

November 23rd 2024

response topography

response topography

the physical characteristics of a response, including its duration, force, extent, and location. Also called topography of response.