Individuate: meaning, definitions and examples

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individuate

 

[ ˌɪndɪˈvɪdʒueɪt ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

psychology

To individuate means to develop an individual identity or to distinguish oneself from a group or collective identity. In psychology, this process refers to the stages where a person becomes more self-aware and forms a unique personality that is distinct from societal influences. Individuation is often considered a crucial process for personal growth and self-realization. It involves recognizing one's own values, beliefs, and traits that differentiate an individual from others.

Synonyms

differentiation, distinguish, individualize

Examples of usage

  • Children begin to individuate in their early years.
  • Therapists help clients to individuate from familial expectations.
  • Individuation can lead to greater self-acceptance.

Translations

Translations of the word "individuate" in other languages:

🇵🇹 individuar

🇮🇳 व्यक्तिगत करना

🇩🇪 individuell gestalten

🇮🇩 mengindividualisasikan

🇺🇦 індивідуалізувати

🇵🇱 indywidualizować

🇯🇵 個別化する

🇫🇷 individualiser

🇪🇸 individualizar

🇹🇷 bireyselleştirmek

🇰🇷 개별화하다

🇸🇦 يفرد

🇨🇿 individualizovat

🇸🇰 individuovať

🇨🇳 个体化

🇸🇮 individualizirati

🇮🇸 einstaklingsgera

🇰🇿 жекешелендіру

🇬🇪 ინდივიდუალიზაცია

🇦🇿 şəxsiləşdirmək

🇲🇽 individualizar

Etymology

The term 'individuate' originates from the early 20th century, derived from the Latin word 'individuum,' meaning 'individual'. The root 'individ' signifies 'not divisible' or 'indivisible', reflecting the idea of a person as a singular entity. In psychological literature, the concept gained prominence through the works of Carl Jung, who emphasized the importance of individuation in personal development and self-actualization. Jung proposed that individuation was a journey towards the integration of the conscious and unconscious aspects of the self, leading to a harmonious balance. Over the decades, the use of 'individuate' has expanded to encompass various fields, including philosophy, sociology, and education, where it is associated with personal identity, autonomy, and the process of self-discovery.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,843, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.