retinitis pigmentosa

a disorder of the retina marked by progressive atrophy of the photoreceptors (affecting rods more than cones) and disturbances in the retinal pigment epithelium. Retinitis pigmentosa causes night blindness and visual field loss (see tunnel vision). Although most commonly a hereditary condition, it has been associated with the use of phenothiazine antipsychotics, such as chlorpromazine and especially thioridazine.

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Psychology term of the day

January 20th 2025

three-mountains test

a Piagetian task used to assess visual perspective taking in children. A doll is placed at various locations around a three-dimensional display of three mountains, and children must indicate how the doll sees the display. Children younger than 8 years old have difficulty performing this test correctly, although they are able to understand that others have a visual perspective that is different from their own when less complicated tasks are used.