depersonalise
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb (transitive):
- To remove or diminish the personal, individual, or human qualities from someone or something; to treat or present as impersonal or as an object.
Usage
- The verb depersonalise describes the action of stripping away personal identity, individual characteristics, or human connection. It often implies a process that makes something feel mechanical, anonymous, or like a mere thing rather than a person.
- It is commonly used in contexts discussing technology, bureaucracy, medicine, or social analysis where human interactions or individuals might be reduced to data, cases, or objects.
Examples
- Verb:
- Some fear that automated customer service will depersonalise the support experience.
- The study examined how prolonged isolation can depersonalise an individual.
- The artist sought to depersonalise the figures in the painting, making them universal symbols.
Advanced Usage
- "to depersonalise an experience": to make an experience feel standardised and lacking in personal touch or individual attention.
- The large lecture hall can depersonalise the learning experience for new students.
- Used in psychological contexts to describe a state or process where one feels detached from oneself.
- Severe stress can sometimes cause a person to *depersonalise.
Variants and Related Words
- Depersonalisation / Depersonalization (noun): The act or process of depersonalising; also a psychological condition involving feelings of detachment from oneself.
- The depersonalisation of healthcare is a common concern.
- Depersonalised / Depersonalized (adjective): Having been made impersonal.
- She received a depersonalised form letter in response to her detailed complaint.
- Impersonalise (verb): A near synonym, meaning to make impersonal.
Synonyms
- Dehumanise: To deprive of human qualities, personality, or spirit (often stronger and more negative than ).
- Objectify: To treat a person as a physical object, especially in a sexual context.
- Standardise: To make uniform, which can lead to a depersonalised outcome.
Antonyms
- Personalise: To design or tailor to meet an individual's personal requirements or preferences.
- Humanise: To give a human character or quality to; to make humane.
Related Phrases/Concepts
- Depersonalisation disorder: A psychological condition marked by persistent feelings of detachment from one's own body, thoughts, or sensations.
- While not a phrasal verb, the concept is frequently used in the passive voice: "to feel depersonalised".
- Employees often feel depersonalised in massive corporate structures.
Verb
- make impersonal or present as an object
- Will computers depersonalize human interactions?
- Pornography objectifies women