Subjectively

Subjectively describes something that is based on or influenced by personal feelings, tastes, or opinions. It contrasts with objectively, which implies a factual and unbiased viewpoint. When something is assessed subjectively, the individual's interpretation and experience are the primary factors determining its nature or quality. It prioritizes internal perspectives rather than external, measurable data. This can involve feelings, beliefs, and individual interpretations, and implies a degree of personal bias or involvement in the assessment. The subjective view is typically a unique viewpoint, shaped by a person's own experiences and understanding of the situation. This can lead to varying perceptions and evaluations across different individuals. It's a central concept in fields like psychology, art criticism, and law, where understanding individual perception is crucial.

Subjectively meaning with examples

• Art critics often evaluate paintings subjectively, expressing their personal appreciation of the colors, composition, and emotional impact of the piece. Their interpretation can vary greatly from others, highlighting the subjective nature of artistic appraisal, and meaning. This showcases the varying views based on personal taste and understanding.
• A witness to a car accident might recount events subjectively, focusing on details that they found most alarming, their description of the scene being shaped by their own emotional response to the accident, rather than a purely factual account of events, colored by individual interpretation.
• When tasting wine, a sommelier assesses the flavor subjectively, using their personal palate and experience to identify notes, balance, and overall quality. Their opinion reflects their individual sensory perception and appreciation, leading to nuanced insights that are a subjective quality.
• In therapy, a patient's experience of their mental health condition is often understood subjectively, as the therapist relies on the patient's self-reporting of feelings and perceptions to determine a diagnosis or treatment plan. The therapist understands by individual description and the experience.
• A teacher grading an essay assesses the work subjectively, to a degree. While a rubric might be used to assess the essay, factors like writing style and originality can influence the grade to some extent, and the value of the essay, making their assessment inherently influenced by their individual judgment.