Dejavnosti

Dejavnosti is a term used in some Czech-language discussions to refer to the phenomenon commonly known in English as déjà vu—the sense that a current situation or moment has already been experienced in the past. It is described as a subjective memory illusion rather than a medical diagnosis, and it appears mainly in psychology and neuroscience discussions rather than in clinical manuals.

Origin and usage: The French expression déjà vu, meaning “already seen,” provides the basis for the concept. In Czech and other Slavic-language contexts, the form dejavnost(e) is sometimes used as a direct adaptation or descriptive label for the experience, including in plural form dejavnosti to denote multiple occurrences or the general phenomenon.

Mechanisms: Most explanations emphasize memory-related processes. A mismatch between recognition and recall, or a brief misalignment of familiarity signals and contextual retrieval, can create the impression that a present event is familiar. Neurological theories point to temporary, localized misfiring in memory circuits, particularly within temporal lobe structures such as the hippocampus. Factors like fatigue, stress, sleep deprivation, or sensory overload can increase susceptibility. In some cases, recurrent or intense episodes may be associated with temporal lobe epilepsy.

Prevalence and clinical notes: Déjà vu experiences are common and typically harmless. They usually last only a few seconds. If episodes are frequent, prolonged, or accompanied by other neurological symptoms (for example seizures), medical evaluation is advised to rule out underlying conditions.

Cultural context and research: Déjà vu figures prominently in literature and film as a motif related to memory and identity, and it remains an active area of inquiry in cognitive science, neuroscience, and psychology through experimental studies and case reports. See also déjà vu, memory, hippocampus, temporal lobe.