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theory of misapplied constancy

a theory of illusions proposing that the underlying cause is the inappropriate use of cues that normally allow accurate perception of such properties as size and shape. For example, depth might be misestimated if a display has converging lines that do not actually recede in depth: An object inside the lines would be seen as farther away than it actually is, and thus its size would also be misperceived.

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Psychology term of the day

October 11th 2024

susto

susto

n. a culture-bound syndrome occurring among Latinos in the United States and populations in Mexico, Central America, and South America. After experiencing a frightening event, individuals fear that their soul has left their body. Symptoms include weight loss, fatigue, muscle pains, headache, diarrhea, unhappiness, troubled sleep, lack of motivation, and low self-esteem. Also called chibih; espanto; pasmo; perdida del alma; tripa ida.