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erotica

pl. n. literature, illustrations, motion pictures, or other artistic material likely to arouse an emotional response through an aesthetic treatment of sexuality and sexual love. The term is sometimes used interchangeably with pornography. However, the distinction is often made that erotica, unlike most pornography, does not involve violence, coercion, or exploitative sexuality, instead depicting sexuality in a positive manner. [from erotic (Greek erotikos, derived from eros: “love”)]

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Psychology term of the day

December 26th 2024

mental disorder

mental disorder

any condition characterized by cognitive and emotional disturbances, abnormal behaviors, impaired functioning, or any combination of these. Such disorders cannot be accounted for solely by environmental circumstances and may involve physiological, genetic, chemical, social, and other factors. Specific classifications of mental disorders are elaborated in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (see DSM–IV–TR; DSM–5) and the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Diseases. Also called mental illness; psychiatric disorder; psychiatric illness; psychological disorder. See also psychopathology.