Depersonalize

To remove the personal element from something; to make impersonal, objective, or detached. This involves stripping away individual identity, emotions, or personal significance, often to focus on broader principles, systemic structures, or abstract concepts. It can apply to actions, attitudes, systems, or even objects. The aim is usually to achieve greater efficiency, objectivity, or control, but it may also have negative consequences, such as dehumanization or the erosion of empathy.

Depersonalize meaning with examples

• The company implemented a new customer service system to depersonalize interactions. Automated responses and script adherence were prioritized, aiming for efficiency, but customers often reported feeling like just another number, rather than a valued individual with unique needs. This led to lower satisfaction scores and increased customer churn.
• To avoid favoritism, the grading system was designed to depersonalize student work. Identifiers were removed, and rubrics emphasized standardized criteria, focusing solely on the quality of the content to ensure equitable evaluations. This technique aimed at impartiality but did not allow for assessing the student's growth over the duration of the class.
• During the war, propaganda was used to depersonalize the enemy. Depicting them as monsters or faceless entities fostered a sense of detachment among soldiers, making it easier to commit acts of violence. This strategy stripped away the recognition of shared humanity, enabling a more ruthless approach to conflict and causing lasting psychological damage.
• The artist's work explored the theme of depersonalized urban spaces. The minimalist architecture and sterile environments in his paintings reflected a societal trend towards impersonal living, where individual expression seemed suppressed by conformity and function, devoid of emotional resonance.
• In their research on healthcare, scientists found that some hospitals unintentionally depersonalize patients, with doctors and nurses being more invested in procedures than actual patients. Focusing on diagnostics, symptoms, and treatment protocols, it caused a decrease in patient care, with patients feeling ignored and less informed about their conditions.