polytropism

English

Etymology

From poly- +‎ -tropism.

Pronunciation

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Noun

polytropism

1. A form of polymorphism in which adjacent sheets of a crystal are inclined to one another
2. Attention focus on a variety of things during one timespan.

   Antonym: monotropism

   • 2021 April 29, Gemma L. Williams, Tim Wharton, Caroline Jagoe, “Mutual (Mis)understanding: Reframing Autistic Pragmatic “Impairments” Using Relevance Theory”, in Frontiers in Psychology‎^[1], number 12, →DOI, page 616664:

     Murray et al. propose that the degree or breadth of attention allocation in humans is “normally distributed” and (largely) “genetically determined” (Murray et al., 2005, p. 140), with some people possessing a greater tendency toward multiply focused attention (polytropism), and others a tendency toward more narrowly focused attention (monotropism).

   • 2023 March 30, Emily Stones, “Cross-Neurotype Communication Competence”, in The Palgrave Handbook of Disability and Communication, Palgrave Macmillan Cham, →DOI, →ISBN:

     A surplus of free time, physical isolation, and the threat of a deadline may spur monotropic behavior, even in those who consider themselves oriented toward polytropism.