internalize
/in'tə:nəlaiz/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To incorporate something within oneself; to make an external idea, belief, value, or pattern of behavior part of one's own nature or way of thinking.
- To accept or absorb an attitude, belief, or standard so that it becomes a part of one's character or perspective.
Usage
- The verb "internalize" describes a psychological process of taking in external information or social norms.
- It is often used in contexts of learning, psychology, sociology, and personal development.
- It typically takes a direct object (what is being internalized).
Examples
- Children often internalize the values taught by their parents.
- After years of therapy, she was able to internalize the belief that she was worthy of love.
- The company culture encourages employees to internalize the principle of customer service excellence.
- It can be harmful to internalize negative stereotypes.
Advanced Usage
- Internalize costs: In economics, this phrase means to include the external costs (like pollution) in the market price of a good or service.
- Governments use taxes to force companies to internalize the environmental costs of production.
- Internalized oppression: A sociological and psychological concept where a stigmatized or marginalized group comes to believe and accept the negative stereotypes about themselves.
- The study examined the effects of internalized racism on mental health.
Variants and Related Words
- Internalization (noun): The process or result of internalizing.
- The internalization of social norms happens throughout childhood.
- Internal (adjective): Existing or situated within the limits or surface of something.
- The company conducted an internal investigation.
Synonyms
- Absorb: To take in or assimilate.
- Incorporate: To take in or contain as part of a whole.
- Assimilate: To absorb and integrate into a wider society or culture.
- Embody: To represent in tangible or visible form; to personify.
Antonyms
- Externalize: To project inner feelings or thoughts outward; to attribute an internal process to the outside world.
- Reject: To refuse to accept or consider.
Related Phrases and Concepts
- To make something one's own: This phrase captures the essence of internalization in a less technical way.
- He didn't just memorize the rules; he made them his own.
- To take something to heart: To be deeply affected or influenced by something.
- She took the criticism to heart and worked hard to improve. (Note: This idiom implies a deep, often emotional, form of internalization.)
Verb
- incorporate within oneself; make subjective or personal
- internalize a belief