PsychologyAugust 18, 2026

distractibility

dis-trak-tuh-BIL-uh-tee

Definition

The tendency or susceptibility of a person to have their attention diverted from a specific task.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'distractus', meaning 'drawn in different directions,' which combined with the suffix '-ability' to describe the capacity or state of being easily pulled away from a focus.

In the news

The author uses this term to describe the primary focus of her research: how short-form video platforms like TikTok may increase the ease with which students lose focus during tasks.

Morris Fellow Researches TikTok Impact on Focus

Read the full article ↗

Gonzaga University

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