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Depersonalize Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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depersonalize

[diːˈpɜːsənəˌlaɪz ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

psychology

To remove or eliminate personal feelings, emotions, or identity from a situation or experience, often as a coping mechanism or defense mechanism.

Synonyms

depersonalization, detachment, dissociate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
depersonalize

Refers to making something impersonal or removing personal aspects, often used in contexts such as business, healthcare, or when discussing social phenomena.

  • Standardizing interactions in customer service can depersonalize the experience.
  • The use of automation can depersonalize the patient care process.
dissociate

A psychological term that describes a mental process where a person separates their thoughts, feelings, or identity from their conscious awareness. Often discussed in mental health contexts.

  • People with trauma may dissociate to cope with painful memories.
  • During the therapy session, she learned how she tends to dissociate under stress.
detachment

Describes a state of being emotionally disconnected or disengaged from situations or relationships. Can be used both in everyday life and psychological contexts.

  • He maintained a level of detachment in order to handle stressful situations calmly.
  • Her detachment from her family was noticeable after the argument.
depersonalization

A psychological term describing a state where a person feels detached from their own body or sense of self. Often used in mental health discussions.

  • Patients experiencing anxiety might suffer from feelings of depersonalization during a panic attack.
  • Depersonalization is a common symptom in various dissociative disorders.

Examples of usage

  • Therapists may use techniques to help patients depersonalize traumatic memories.
  • In order to make a fair decision, it is important to depersonalize the situation and focus on facts.
Context #2 | Verb

general

To make something impersonal or objective by removing personal elements or feelings.

Synonyms

dehumanize, depersonalization, objectify.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
depersonalize

Typically used in a professional or organizational setting where individual traits or identities are removed to focus on roles or tasks, often to create uniformity or efficiency.

  • In large corporations, managers sometimes depersonalize communication to maintain professionalism.
  • Healthcare providers may unintentionally depersonalize patients by referring to them by their condition rather than their name.
objectify

Commonly used to describe the treatment of people, usually women, as objects rather than human beings, frequently in discussions of sexism and media representation.

  • The advertisement was criticized for objectifying women by focusing solely on their physical attributes.
  • It's important to challenge media that objectifies individuals and promotes harmful stereotypes.
dehumanize

Used in contexts where individuals are being stripped of human qualities, rights, and dignity, often in a negative or abusive manner.

  • Propaganda can dehumanize a group of people to justify unjust actions against them.
  • During times of conflict, it's crucial to avoid language that dehumanizes the enemy.
depersonalization

Refers to a psychological state where one feels detached from their own self or environment, often discussed in mental health and psychological contexts.

  • The patient described feelings of depersonalization that left them feeling like a stranger to themselves.
  • Depersonalization is a common symptom in various anxiety disorders.

Examples of usage

  • The author chose to depersonalize the narrative by using a third-person perspective.
  • In business, it is often necessary to depersonalize feedback in order to maintain professionalism.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Depersonalization can occur in stressful situations, where individuals feel disconnected from themselves, leading to anxiety.
  • Some research suggests that experiencing depersonalization may help people cope with trauma by allowing them to observe their feelings from a distance.
  • In certain psychological conditions like depersonalization-derealization disorder, people can feel as if they are observing themselves from outside their body.

Sociology

  • In social environments, depersonalization can arise from interactions that reduce a person to their group identity, often seen in instances of discrimination.
  • In workplaces, when individuals are treated as mere numbers or statistics, it can lead to a culture of depersonalization, affecting morale.

Technology

  • Social media can contribute to feelings of depersonalization, as interactions often lack the emotional depth found in face-to-face conversations.
  • Algorithms in digital platforms can depersonalize users by categorizing them into groups based on behavior, rather than recognizing them as unique individuals.

Literature

  • In modern literature, themes of depersonalization often explore characters who struggle with identity amid societal pressures, highlighting existential concerns.
  • Classic works, like 'The Metamorphosis' by Franz Kafka, illustrate depersonalization through characters who feel alienated from their own lives.

Commercial Practices

  • In marketing, depersonalization can occur when advertisements target audiences in such a general way that individuals feel overlooked.
  • Businesses that fail to personalize customer experiences risk losing customer loyalty, as people prefer feeling recognized and valued.

Origin of 'depersonalize'

The term 'depersonalize' originates from the combination of 'de-' meaning 'remove' or 'negate' and 'personalize' meaning 'to make personal or individual'. It first appeared in English in the mid-20th century, primarily in the field of psychology to describe the process of detaching oneself from personal emotions or identity.

See also: depersonalization, depersonalizing, impersonate, impersonation, impersonator, nonperson, people, personable, personage, personages, personal, personalities, personality, personalizer, personally, personification, personified, personify, personifying, personnel, persons.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #40,045, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.