PsychologyAugust 22, 2026

decrements

DEK-ruh-ments

Definition

Small reductions or decreases in the quantity, size, or performance of something.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'decrementum,' meaning 'a decreasing' or 'diminution,' coming from the verb 'decrescere,' which means 'to grow less.'

In the news

An expert uses this term to clarify that the study showed small performance drops in specific memory tasks, rather than a generalized loss of memory ability.

What Taking Screenshots Might Be Doing to Your Memory, Per Scientists

Read the full article ↗

Prevention

Related words

affiliative

Relating to the desire for social connection, belonging, and friendly interactions with…

Psychology

automaticity

The quality of a behavior or process occurring without conscious intention, effort, or…

Psychology

histrionic

Relating to or characterized by overly dramatic, theatrical, or attention-seeking…

Psychology

inattentional

Relating to the failure to perceive an object or event that is in plain sight because…

Psychology

orthographic

Relating to the conventional spelling system of a language, specifically focusing on the…

Psychology

pheromones

Chemical substances released by an animal, especially mammals, that trigger a social or…

Psychology

Learn words like this every day

Meet new words every morning.

Newspoken pulls carefully chosen words from the day’s news — with clear definitions, context, and light review that makes them stick. Get it on your phone.