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

September 8th 2024

open hospital

a psychiatric hospital without locked doors or physical restraints. Also called open-door hospital.