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poverty of ideas

a thought disturbance, often associated with schizophrenia, dementia, and severe depression, in which there is reduced spontaneity and productivity of thought as evidenced by speech that is vague or full of simple or meaningless repetitions or stereotyped phrases. The term is sometimes used interchangeably with intellectual impoverishment.

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Psychology term of the day

January 20th 2025

response cost

response cost

a procedure in operant conditioning in which certain responses result in loss of a valued commodity. The intent of such procedures is to produce punishment. See negative punishment.