parataxic distortion

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noun Psychiatry.

a distortion in perception, especially of interpersonal relationships, based on a tendency to perceive others in accordance with a pattern determined by previous experiences.

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showing self-respect

treating others with kindness

acting selfishly

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Origin of parataxic distortion

First recorded in 1960–65

Words nearby parataxic distortion

parasynthesis, parasyntheton, parasystole, parataniwha, parataxic, parataxic distortion, parataxis, paratenesis, paratenic host, paratenon, paraterminal gyrus

How to use parataxic distortion in a sentence

And yet, even while seldom leaving the capital, they offer a perspective on the city that tilts toward distortion.
Heart of Darkness: Into Afghanistan’s Taliban Valley|Matt Trevithick, Daniel Seckman|November 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Second, however, dealing with TEKS at all means distortion, or worse.
In Texas Textbooks, Moses Is a Founding Father|Edward Countryman|September 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Disguise, distortion, and deception were accepted as reality.
What Cold War CIA Interrogators Learned from the Nazis|Annie Jacobsen|February 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
No doubt she's right, but wouldn't the best solution be to do away with the market distortion at the root of the problem?
New York’s Petty War on Airbnb|Jim Epstein|October 12, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Great TV shows reflect our lives back at us, even if it is with the fun-house distortion that sitcoms routinely pull off.
Is ‘Modern Family’ Still Modern?|Kevin Fallon|October 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST
"Come nearer, Tatsu San," he whispered, forcing his face into the distortion of a smile.
The Dragon Painter|Mary McNeil Fenollosa
No distortion of countenance, or aukward behaviour; no absence of mind; but to keep the Graces always in remembrance.
Two Burlesques of Lord Chesterfield's Letters.|Anonymous
In fig. 72 distortion is carried too far; this figure is merely used as an illustration.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3|Various
The street was empty and the acute sound of their steps struck in fantastic distortion against the city of silence.
The Woman Gives|Owen Johnson
We get some gravity, some magnetic, and some electrostatic field distortion, too.
Islands of Space|John W Campbell

Medical definitions for parataxic distortion

parataxic distortion

[ păr′ə-tăk′sĭk ]

An attitude toward a person based on a distorted evaluation, usually due to identifying that person with emotionally significant individuals from the past.