Aberration

Aberration has several meanings generally related to the idea of a deviation from the norm, normal distribution or from what is usually expected:

In psychology:

• A temporary disorder in one's behaviour or mental state. (see abnormal psychology, mental illness, conduct disorder)

In optics:

• Aberration in optical systems, an effect that causes light from one point of an object after transmission through the system to arrive at different points So for example in astigmatism, dioptric variation, or any other defect of the lens of the eye which deflects light so it is not focused on the retina
  • Chromatic aberration, caused by a lens having a different refractive index for different wavelengths of light. As a consequence, in the eye their focus onto the retina does not perfectly overlap, causing blurred vision.
  • Defocus aberration, meaning out of focus
  • Spherical aberration, an image imperfection that occurs due to the increased refraction of light rays that occurs when rays strike a lens or mirror near its edge

In biology:

• An abnormality of chromosomes

See also

• Abnormal