Rick Perlstein

Why was Barack Obama attractive to people in 2008? If you think about Barack Obama, there's all this anxiety about society, just kind of wracked by centripetal forces - the idea that the center's not holding, no one can talk to each other, the idea of a political system that's broken.

American Historian

Understand centripetal as related to circular motion in Physics; it is not centrifugal, which moves outward.

Physics Connection

Literally, 'centripetal' means 'seeking the center', so it refers to any motion directed towards a central point.

Literal Interpretation

Metaphorically, centripetal can describe efforts or actions that focus on unifying or centralizing.

Non-Physical Use

In botany, centripetal describes growth from the outer edge of a plant to the center, as seen in floral patterns.

Botanical Use

Don't confuse 'centripetal' with 'centrifugal' in botany. Centripetal is inward growth; centrifugal is outward.

Centripetal vs Centrifugal

In psychology, 'centripetal' can refer to thoughts or behaviors that are directed inward towards oneself.

Psychological Focus

Centripetal can imply concentrated attention in one area, excluding distractions.