Skip to main content
dichotomization

dichotomization

9.9
The act of dividing something into two clearly different groups
  • noun
  • /daɪˌkɒtəmaɪˈzeɪʃən/
translation icon : dicotomización
  • The dichotomization of individuals into introverts and extroverts can oversimplify people's personalities.

Examples

  • In the Turkish case, this dichotomization most obviously acts to polarize the political field, creating a good "us" vs. a bad "them."

    Academic text (2008)
  • The New Deal social policies that privileged male workers and identified mothers as "unemployables" because of their home responsibilities contributed to a false dichotomization of poor women's experience.

    Academic text (1995)
  • The dichotomization between past and present is alien to the storytelling tradition.

    Academic text (1997)
  • We are not dealing with an overthrow of the universal, but with an alternative to the standard dichotomization of universal and particular.

    Academic text (1993)
  • The position taken here is that such dichotomization in the representation of human behavior is necessarily distorting, for though they are analytically distinguishable, politics and ritual are inseparable in practice.

    Academic text (1992)
  • In environmental discussions, the dichotomization of conservation efforts as either effective or ineffective can limit potential solutions.

  • The dichotomization of society into rich and poor often ignores the complexities of middle-class experiences.

Synonyms

split
vsdichotomization
100 4.2

A division in a group that makes two opposing parts

is a general two-way division not limited to groups or to conflict
dichotomy
vsdichotomization
35 9.5

A clear difference between two opposite ideas, for example good and bad

is the active process of creating two opposite groups rather than a static contrast
bisection
vsdichotomization
1 7.3

To divide something into two equal parts

separates into two groups that need not be equal and may oppose
bipartition
vsdichotomization
8.6

A division of something into two separate parts

often implies the two created groups are opposed rather than merely separate
bipolarization
vsdichotomization
9.9

The division of a group into two opposing sides

may simply separate into two groups without necessarily creating strong poles

Antonyms

47 4.0

Putting two or more parts together so they work as one

Surface Forms

Morphology

dichotomization = dichotomize (transparent) = dichotom + ize + ation

The noun is formed by the regular and highly productive suffixation of '-ation' to the verb 'dichotomize'.

Etymology

Dichotomization comes from Greek parts dicho- 'two' and -tom- 'cut', the same 'cut' you see in atom and anatomy. So, dichotomization means 'cutting into two' and refers to making two separate or opposite groups or categories.