automatism

au·tom·a·tism  (ô-tm-tzm)

n.

1.

a. The state or quality of being automatic.

b. Automatic mechanical action.

2. Philosophy The theory that the body is a machine whose functions are accompanied but not controlled by consciousness.

3. Physiology

a. The involuntary functioning of an organ or other body structure that is not under conscious control, such as the beating of the heart or the dilation of the pupil of the eye.

b. The reflexive action of a body part.

4. Psychology Mechanical, seemingly aimless behavior characteristic of various mental disorders.

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[From Latin automaton, automaton; see automaton.]

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au·toma·tist n.

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automatism

an automatic or involuntary action. — automatist, n.

See also: Behavior

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

automatism - any reaction that occurs automatically without conscious thought or reflection (especially the undirected behavior seen in psychomotor epilepsy) response, reaction - a bodily process occurring due to the effect of some antecedent stimulus or agent; "a bad reaction to the medicine"; "his responses have slowed with age"