mental reaction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mental reaction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a psychological response or thought process that occurs in reaction to a stimulus or situation. Example: "Her mental reaction to the unexpected news was one of shock and disbelief."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

There is a mental reaction there".

The New York Times

"We found it difficult to make any conclusions about what taurine was doing," said a graduate researcher at Tufts University, Grace Giles, who headed a study that ran participants through a battery of mental reaction and memory tests.

The New York Times - Health

When my friend mentioned that he might have appendicitis, my mental reaction was to think of all the factors that go into that diagnosis, and I was bursting to ask if he had guarding or rebound tenderness, and if the doctor's said anything about McBurney point.

Stanford University

If you're prepared, your first mental reaction won't be, "Ack!

Science Magazine

In a 1995 article published in the Journal of Marketing, Bloch outlined the two components that function together to create a unique mental reaction.

BBC

Research published in 2013 suggests that drinking three cups of water increases mental reaction times by up to 14%, compared to drinking no water.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Cutting-edge police instruction includes not only the how, but the why: analysis of mental reactions to high-tension situations that accompanies brain-training stress inoculation techniques.

The Guardian

At Columbia, there is the Child Development Research Laboratory which has compiled a lot of figures about twenty two-year olds, and their mental reactions to certain tests given them.

The New Yorker

Psychologists have helped screen recruits and study morale going back to World War I, and in Iraq, some military psychologists have worked long tours under fire, managing troops' mental reactions at the front.

The New York Times

Perhaps it's time to establish a safe place for ice users along the lines of the heroin injecting centre: a place where users can be monitored, where adverse physical and mental reactions to the drug can be professionally dealt with.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the ACMD stands by its original research and yesterday one of its members, Professor David Nutt, said that while there were some cases of unpleasant mental reactions, these were "relatively small in number" and he was not convinced the reclassification would have any benefit.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "mental reaction", consider whether a more specific term like "cognitive response" or "emotional response" would be more precise.

Common error

Avoid using "mental reaction" when a more precise term like "reflex" or "instinct" is more appropriate. "Mental reaction" implies a conscious thought process, while reflexes are automatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mental reaction" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It describes a psychological or cognitive response to a stimulus or situation. Ludwig examples show it used in various contexts, indicating its descriptive function.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mental reaction" is a commonly used noun phrase describing a cognitive or psychological response. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. While versatile, it's important to consider whether a more specific term like "cognitive response" or "emotional response" would be more appropriate for precision. The term is considered neutral in formality and finds frequent use across a wide array of authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mental response

A more concise version of the original phrase.

cognitive response

Focuses specifically on the cognitive aspect of the reaction.

psychological response

Emphasizes the psychological aspect rather than the mental.

emotional response

Highlights the emotional component of the reaction.

intellectual response

Indicates a response driven by intellect and reasoning.

cognitive process

Focuses on the mental process involved.

thought process

Highlights the thinking aspect.

internal response

Emphasizes the internal nature of the reaction.

subjective reaction

Highlights the personal and individual nature of the reaction.

conscious reaction

Specifies that the reaction is a deliberate thought, not subconscious.

FAQs

How can I use "mental reaction" in a sentence?

You can use "mental reaction" to describe someone's thought process or psychological response to an event. For example, "Her "mental reaction" to the surprise party was overwhelming joy."

What's the difference between "mental reaction" and an emotional response?

While related, a "mental reaction" can encompass a broader range of cognitive processes, whereas an "emotional response" specifically focuses on the emotional aspect of the reaction.

What can I say instead of "mental reaction"?

Alternatives include "cognitive response", "psychological response", or "intellectual response", depending on the context.

Is "mental reaction" a formal or informal term?

"Mental reaction" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though more technical terms like "cognitive processing" might be preferred in highly scientific or academic writing.