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rhythmic stimulation

use of repetitive auditory or visual input to produce synchronized brain activity, as observed via electroencephalography. Studies in which participants are exposed to flickering lights or repetitive sounds have recorded positive effects on pain management, attention, and mood. Some bright-light rhythms may trigger epileptic seizures in susceptible individuals, however. See also photic driving.

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Psychology term of the day

May 8th 2024

mental chemistry

mental chemistry

a concept proposed by John Stuart Mill as an alternative to the mental mechanics described by his father, James Mill. The concept is modeled on a common phenomenon in physical chemistry, in which two chemical substances combine to form a compound with properties not present in either of the components. Similarly, Mill held that compound ideas were not merely combinations of simpler ideas but that they possessed other qualities not present in any of the constituent ideas. Thus, such an idea could be an essentially new one. See associationism; association of ideas.