Definition

1. Verb:
   • To make something external or objective: To give outward, concrete, or observable form to something that is internal, abstract, or subjective.
   • To attribute external reality to: To regard or treat an internal process, feeling, or thought as if it were an objective, external fact.

Usage

• The verb "externalize" is used to describe the process of expressing inner states (like thoughts, feelings, or conflicts) in an outward, tangible manner.
• It is often used in psychological, philosophical, and business contexts.
• It is a transitive verb, requiring a direct object (e.g., externalize a feeling, externalize costs).

Examples

• Psychology:
• Business/Finance:
• General:

Advanced Usage

• In Psychology/Psychoanalysis: Refers to the unconscious defense mechanism of projecting one's internal feelings or conflicts onto the external world or other people.
  • In his paranoia, he externalized his own self-doubt, believing his colleagues were criticizing him.
• In Economics/Business: Refers to shifting costs or activities from within an organization to outside it.
  • Manufacturers often externalize environmental costs, leaving society to pay for pollution cleanup.

Variants and Related Words

• Externalization (noun): The act or process of externalizing.
  • The externalization of her anxiety took the form of constant worry about her family's health.
• External (adjective): Belonging to, situated on, or coming from the outside.
• Internalize (verb): The opposite action; to make attitudes, behaviors, or values part of one's nature by learning or unconscious assimilation.

Synonyms

• Project: To attribute one's own feelings or desires to another person.
• Objectify: To treat a person or abstract concept as an object.
• Materialize: To represent or cause to appear in bodily or physical form.
• Outsource (specific to business context): To obtain goods or services from an outside supplier.

Antonyms

• Internalize: To incorporate within oneself.
• Suppress: To restrain or inhibit from expression.
• Introject: To unconsciously incorporate the attitudes or qualities of others into one's own personality.

Related Phrases/Concepts

• Externalizing behavior (Psychology): A term for problematic behaviors directed outwardly toward the social environment (e.g., aggression, disobedience), as opposed to internalizing behaviors (e.g., anxiety, withdrawal).
• Externalized cost (Economics): A cost of production not borne by the producer but by society at large (e.g., pollution).

Verb

1. make external or objective, or give reality to
   • language externalizes our thoughts
2. regard as objective