perseveration

noun

per·​sev·​er·​a·​tion pər-ˌse-və-ˈrā-shən 

plural perseverations

: continuation of something (such as an activity or thought) usually to an extreme degree or beyond a desired point

specifically, psychology : the continual involuntary repetition of a thought or behavior

Perseveration is said to occur when the patient continues to give the answer to the previous question in response to new questions.

—Lewis Senior

One patient had intermittent perseveration of speech and writing.

—Frank Adams et al.

The perseverations associated with ASD [autism spectrum disorder] may be qualitatively different … than the repetitive and intrusive thoughts and actions associated with OCD [obsessive-compulsive disorder].

—Susan L. Hyman et al.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Perseveration (in Perseverationstendenz "tendency toward perseveration"), borrowed from Latin persevērātiōn-, persevērātiō "persistence in a course of action," from persevērāre "to persist in a course of action or an attitude in spite of opposition, keep on" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at persevere

Note: The term Perseverationstendenz was introduced by the German psychologist Georg Elias Müller (1850-1934) and his student Alfons Pilzecker in Experimetelle Beiträge zur Lehre vom Gedächtniss, Zeitschrift für Psychologie und Physiologie der Sinnesorgane, Ergänzungsband 1 (Leipzig, 1900), p 58.

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

perseveration

noun

per·​sev·​er·​a·​tion pər-ˌsev-ə-ˈrā-shən 

: the continual involuntary repetition of a thought or behavior

Rocking from side to side, finger wiggling, and repetition of words are all examples of perseveration. More specifically, the rocking and finger wiggling are examples of action-related perseveration demonstrated by many people with autism.

—Tina Arora, Education