Nachwirkung

Nachwirkung is a German noun meaning "aftereffect" or "residual effect." It denotes a lingering influence or consequence that persists after the original stimulus, event, or experience has ended. The term combines nach (after) and Wirkung (effect). It is used in several fields to describe persistent outcomes.

In psychology and sensory physiology, Nachwirkung refers to aftereffects produced by adaptation to a stimulus. Examples include the visual afterimage (Nachbild) and other sensory aftereffects such as color or motion aftereffects. It can also describe the residual effects of a drug, anesthesia, or other stimuli that outlast their immediate cause.

In medicine, Nachwirkungen denote lingering symptoms or sequelae following illness, injury, or medical treatment, which may require ongoing management even after the primary condition has resolved.

In culture and the arts, Nachwirkung describes the lasting influence of a work on later artists, movements, or public perception. Discussions of Nachwirkung address how themes, styles, or ideas continue to shape interpretation and production beyond their initial appearance.

See also: Nachbild; aftereffect; residual effect.