Definition

Noun: 1. The act of representing by a type or symbol; the action of typifying. This refers to the process of creating or using something as a typical example or symbolic representation of a larger category. 2. A representational or typifying form or model. This refers to the actual example, symbol, or model that is considered characteristic or representative of a group.

Usage

• Typification is used to describe both the of identifying or creating a standard example and the of that process—the example itself.
• It is a formal term common in academic, sociological, and artistic discussions about categorization, representation, and symbolism.

Examples

• As the process of representing:
  • The typification of certain animals in folklore, like the owl representing wisdom, is a cross-cultural phenomenon.
  • Sociologists study the typification of social roles, such as "the student" or "the doctor."
• As the representative form or model:
  • This character is a typification of the heroic knight in medieval literature.
  • The simple, functional design became a typification of modernist architecture.

Advanced Usage

• In sociology (following Alfred Schütz), typification refers to the mental process by which we categorize people and experiences into "types" to make sense of the social world. These are stock characters or typical scenarios we use for understanding and anticipation.
  • Our interaction with a cashier relies on mutual typification; we both act according to the typical roles of "customer" and "service provider."

Variants and Related Words

• Typify (verb): To represent or be characteristic of; to serve as a typical example.
  • His dedication typifies the spirit of the team.
• Typical (adjective): Having the distinctive qualities of a particular type; representative.
  • This is a typical example of Baroque art.
• Type (noun): A category of people or things having common characteristics; a perfect example.
  • She is not the athletic type. This house is a classic type of colonial architecture.

Synonyms

• Exemplification
• Embodiment
• Personification
• Representation
• Archetype (when referring to a very typical or perfect example)

Antonyms

• Anomaly
• Exception
• Aberration
• Deviation

Noun

1. the act of representing by a type or symbol; the action of typifying
2. a representational or typifying form or model