conversation

n. the use of speech to communicate ideas and information between or among people. Conversations arise flexibly in response to such elements as topic, private and public goals, rhetorical devices, temporal constraints, and individual speaking styles. Conversations proceed only through the mutual belief that the addressee has understood the speaker well enough for immediate purposes. Forms of this type of verbal exchange include small talk, gossip, repartee, debate, and negotiation, among others. —conversational adj.

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Psychology term of the day

May 10th 2024

collective guilt

1. an unpleasant emotional state involving a shared realization that one’s group or social unit has violated ethical or social principles, together with associated feelings of regret. Collective guilt is more likely when members of a group (a) strongly identify with that group, (b) feel a sense of control over or responsibility for the negative actions of other members, and (c) recognize the group’s actions are illegitimate.

2. the idea that members of a group may be held responsible for violations of norms or laws committed by other members of the same group. See group fallacy; guilt by association.