PsychologyAugust 18, 2026

singleton

SING-guhl-tuhn

Definition

A single, isolated element that stands out from a group of otherwise uniform items due to its unique characteristics.

Etymology

Originating from the word 'single' combined with the suffix '-ton,' it emerged in the 17th century to denote a single card held in a hand or a unique individual.

In the news

In the experiment, a 'singleton' refers to a differently colored letter 'L' used as a visual distractor. It serves to measure how easily participants are distracted from their primary task by an unusual item.

Morris Fellow Researches TikTok Impact on Focus

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Gonzaga University

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