externalization

/eks,tə:nəlai'zeiʃn/

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Word: Externalization

Part of Speech: Noun

Simple Explanation:

Externalization is the process of expressing or showing something outside of yourself. It can mean making your thoughts, feelings, or ideas visible to others. Instead of keeping everything inside, you "externalize" by putting it out in the open.

Usage Instructions:

• Use "externalization" when talking about how people show their emotions, thoughts, or behaviors to others.
• It is often used in psychology, business, and communication contexts.

Example Sentence:

• "In therapy, externalization helps clients to talk about their feelings instead of keeping them bottled up inside."

Advanced Usage:

In more complex discussions, especially in psychology, externalization can refer to a method where individuals attribute their problems or issues to outside factors rather than internal ones. This can be a way to cope with difficulties by assigning blame or responsibility to external sources.

Word Variants:

• Externalize (verb): To express or represent something outwardly.
  • Example: "She externalized her fears by writing them down in a journal."
• External (adjective): Relating to or located on the outside.
  • Example: "The external factors influencing the project included market trends."

Different Meanings:

1. General Meaning: To make something visible or evident to others.
2. Psychological Meaning: Attributing one's feelings or problems to external causes rather than accepting them as personal issues.

Synonyms:

• Expression
• Manifestation
• Outward representation
• Projection

Related Idioms:

While there may not be a direct idiom for "externalization," you might encounter phrases like: - "Let it all out" – meaning to express your feelings openly. - "Wearing your heart on your sleeve" – meaning to openly show your emotions.

Phrasal Verbs:

While there are no direct phrasal verbs for "externalization," you can use phrases like: - "Talk it out" – meaning to discuss your thoughts or feelings openly. - "Bring it to the surface" – meaning to make hidden feelings or thoughts visible.

Summary:

"Externalization" is an important concept in understanding how we communicate and express ourselves to others.

Academic

Noun

1. embodying in an outward form
2. attributing to outside causes

Synonyms

• externalisation
• exteriorization
• exteriorisation