Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The common understanding refers to the general knowledge or belief that is widely accepted by a group of people. It represents the shared perception or interpretation of a concept, event, or phenomenon.
Related terms
Misconception: A mistaken or incorrect belief about something. For example, there may be misconceptions about Acute Stress Disorder that differ from the actual definition.
Consensus: A general agreement among a group of people. In terms of common understanding, consensus refers to when most individuals share the same beliefs or interpretations.
Paradigm shift: A significant change in how something is understood or perceived. Sometimes new research or perspectives challenge the common understanding and lead to a paradigm shift in our thinking about a particular topic.