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

March 17th 2025

principled negotiation

a procedure to resolve the conflict between individuals or groups that strives for a mutually beneficial resolution while acknowledging the value of ongoing relationships. The procedure has four main components: (a) separating interpersonal problems from the more substantive issues between the parties and dealing with each issue individually, (b) focusing on the parties’ real interests rather than on what they initially say they want, (c) developing possible solutions that benefit all parties, and (d) insisting on objective criteria for the parties’ decisions. [first described in 1981 by Roger Fisher (1922–2012) and William L. Ury, U.S. experts on negotiation]