automatism

Meaning

Noun

• Acting automatically or involuntarily.
• The power of initiating vital processes from within the cell, organ, or organism, independent of external stimulus.
• The doctrine that animals are automata, operating according to mechanical laws.
• An action performed subconsciously, without any apparent direction from the mind; a thought which appears spontaneously in one's consciousness.
• A surrealist painting technique whereby one attempts to move the brush, pen etc. without conscious control over it.

Origin

• From automaton + -ism.