morphic resonance: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowSpecialised / Technical (Parapsychology, New Age, Speculative Science)
Quick answer
What does “morphic resonance” mean?
A hypothetical process in which the forms and behaviours of self-organising systems influence similar systems across time and space through non-physical means, according to a theory proposed by Rupert Sheldrake.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A hypothetical process in which the forms and behaviours of self-organising systems influence similar systems across time and space through non-physical means, according to a theory proposed by Rupert Sheldrake.
A concept in parapsychology and speculative biology suggesting that 'form fields' or 'morphogenetic fields' guide development and behaviour, and that similar patterns become more probable through a kind of collective memory.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical and confined to the same niche communities. The term was coined by British biologist Rupert Sheldrake.
Connotations
In both regions, it carries strong connotations of pseudoscience or fringe theory for mainstream audiences, while being a serious concept for proponents.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in UK discourse due to Sheldrake's nationality and media presence, but remains extremely rare in general language.
Grammar
How to Use “morphic resonance” in a Sentence
The theory posits that [PHENOMENON] is facilitated by morphic resonance.According to Sheldrake, morphic resonance explains [OBSERVATION].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “morphic resonance” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The behaviour may be morphically resonated from past generations.
- Some claim new skills can morphically resonate across a population.
American English
- The pattern could be morphically resonating through the species.
- He believes memories can morphically resonate across time.
adverb
British English
- The system developed, purportedly, morphic-resonantly.
- (Usage is extraordinarily rare and non-standard).
American English
- The information was transferred morphic-resonantly, according to the theory.
- (Usage is extraordinarily rare and non-standard).
adjective
British English
- She explored the morphic-resonance hypothesis.
- They discussed possible morphic-resonance effects.
American English
- It was a morphic-resonance explanation for the phenomenon.
- He proposed a morphic-resonance mechanism.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used only in critical discussions of pseudoscience, philosophy of science, or within parapsychology and New Age studies.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might appear in conversations about spirituality, alternative science, or conspiracy theories.
Technical
The core term in Sheldrake's specific theoretical framework in biology and parapsychology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “morphic resonance”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “morphic resonance”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “morphic resonance”
- Using it as a general synonym for 'similarity' or 'coincidence'. Confusing it with established concepts like 'sympathetic resonance' in physics. Capitalising it as a proper noun (it is not).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It is a hypothetical concept proposed by Rupert Sheldrake and is not accepted by the mainstream scientific community due to a lack of empirical evidence and testable predictions that meet scientific standards.
A common analogy is tuning a radio: just as a radio resonates with a specific broadcast frequency, a biological system is said to 'tune in' to the morphic field of its species' past forms and behaviours.
It is extremely rare in everyday language. Using it would typically signal that you are discussing fringe science, parapsychology, or are being metaphorical about a strange coincidence.
Instinct is generally explained by genetics and evolutionary biology. Morphic resonance is proposed as an additional, non-genetic, non-physical mechanism that shapes instinct and form across time and space through a collective memory field.
Morphic resonance is usually specialised / technical (parapsychology, new age, speculative science) in register.
Morphic resonance: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɔːfɪk ˈrɛzənəns/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɔːrfɪk ˈrɛzənəns/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A case of morphic resonance (used to suggest a non-physical connection between similar events).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a MORPH (a shape-changing creature) tuning a radio to find a station where it 'resonates' with other similar creatures across the world, remembering shared forms.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE UNIVERSE HAS A MEMORY; SIMILARITY CREATES CONNECTION (Form is a resonant frequency in a universal field).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'morphic resonance' a central, though contested, concept?