1. that state in which the differences between one percept, thing, event, or idea and another are emphasized by a comparison of their qualities. This may occur when the stimuli are juxtaposed (simultaneous contrast) or when one stimulus immediately follows the other (successive contrast). For example, meeting a person in a social context that includes physically attractive people could lead to a more negative evaluation of the attractiveness of that person than would have been the case otherwise. The evaluation of the person’s attractiveness has been contrasted away from the social context. Compare assimilation.

2. in statistics, see comparison.