externalization
/eks,tə:nəlai'zeiʃn/
Definition
- Noun:
- The act of embodying something in an outward or concrete form: The process of giving external, tangible, or visible existence to an idea, feeling, or internal state.
- The attribution of one's own thoughts, feelings, or motives to external causes or other people: A psychological process where internal experiences are perceived as originating from the outside.
Examples of Usage
- Noun:
- The sculpture was an externalization of the artist's grief. (The sculpture gave a physical form to the artist's internal feeling of grief.)
- His constant criticism of others is often seen as an externalization of his own insecurities. (His criticism represents him attributing his own feelings of insecurity to other people.)
Advanced Usage
- In Psychology: The term is used to describe a defense mechanism where a person projects their internal conflicts onto the external world.
- In therapy, we worked on reducing his externalization of blame.
- In Business/Philosophy: Refers to the process of making an abstract concept (like a business process) explicit and measurable.
- The externalization of tacit knowledge is a key challenge for the organization.
Variants and Related Words
- Externalize (verb): To give external expression or form to; to attribute to external causes.
- She externalized her anxiety through painting.
- External (adjective): Belonging to, situated on, or derived from the outside.
Synonyms
- Embodiment: The tangible or visible form of an idea, quality, or feeling.
- Projection: The unconscious transfer of one's own desires or emotions to others (a specific type of externalization in psychology).
- Manifestation: An event, action, or object that clearly shows or embodies something abstract.
Antonyms
- Internalization: The process of making attitudes, behaviors, or standards part of one's own nature by learning or unconscious assimilation.
- Introjection: The unconscious adoption of the ideas or attitudes of others.
Related Phrases/Concepts
- Acting out: Behaving in an overt way that expresses unconscious feelings (a form of behavioral externalization).
- Objectification: Treating a person as an object, which can be related to the externalization of abstract qualities onto them.
Noun
-
embodying in an outward form
-
attributing to outside causes
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