Distortion

Distorted waveforms square sine

Distortion waveform

Distortion refers to the alteration of the original shape or other characteristic of something, typically in a way that is considered undesirable or misleading. The term is used in various contexts, including psychology, physics, music, and photography, each with its own specific meaning and implications.

In Psychology

In psychology, distortion is a concept often related to cognitive processes and perception. It involves the way in which an individual's thoughts, memories, or perceptions are altered from their original state, often leading to a misrepresentation of reality. This can occur through various cognitive biases or defense mechanisms. For example, a common psychological distortion is the confirmation bias, where individuals tend to favor information that confirms their preexisting beliefs or values.

In Physics

In the realm of physics, distortion is frequently associated with the alteration of a signal or waveform. This can occur in both acoustics and optics. In acoustics, distortion happens when the output signal differs from the input signal of an audio system, which can be due to nonlinear behavior of the system components. Optical distortion, on the other hand, refers to the deviation from the desired or expected image produced by lenses or mirrors, affecting the accuracy of the image reproduced.

In Music

In music, distortion is a technique often used in electric guitar playing to achieve a specific sound or tone. It is created by overdriving the guitar's amplifier or using a distortion pedal, which intentionally clips the signal, adding sustain and harmonic and inharmonic overtones. This effect is characteristic of many genres of music, particularly rock music, heavy metal, and punk rock.

In Photography

In photography, distortion refers to the deviation from rectilinear projection, a condition where straight lines in a scene do not remain straight in an image. This can be caused by the characteristics of a lens, particularly wide-angle lenses, leading to two main types of distortion: barrel distortion and pincushion distortion. Barrel distortion makes images appear bulged outward, while pincushion distortion causes images to pinch inward. Photographers often correct these distortions through software in post-processing.

See Also

• Cognitive bias
• Signal processing
• Audio effect
• Lens (optics)

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