reification
1
9.9
- noun
- /ˌriːɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/
- Formal
:
reificación
- The company's reification of employees into mere numbers on a spreadsheet undermines morale and creativity.
- logic of reification
Examples
-
The greatest such example of this is the reification of Elvis Presley through his voice, his body, and his public persona.
Academic text (2003) -
Another factor that leads to grade inflation, one that is probably the most crucial, is the reification and misuse of students' teaching evaluations by academic administrators.
Academic text (2003) -
Ultimately, however, it is less a question of resisting reification than of simply denying its very existence.
Academic text (2004) -
Such a definition counters the reification of homelessness, which often results from the literal perception of the social phenomenon.
Academic text (1995) -
Everything else is cultural indoctrination and reification of meaning and implication; i.e., everything else is due to gender assumptions and stereotypes.
Academic text (1997) -
Drawing on feminist approaches, this article argues that neoliberalism depends on a reification of gender norms, according to which women are called upon to optimize themselves for social success, while male "entrepreneurs" prioritize self-interest and compete for power.
Academic text (2018) -
Critics argue that the reification of social issues in media often glosses over the complexities of the individuals involved.
-
In discussions about race, the reification of people into broad categories can strip away their unique identities and experiences.
Synonyms
1
9.9
A person is treated like an object and loses their personal qualities
Making people feel less connected to a place or service
Antonyms
How Dehumanizing
- Offensive
4
7.8
- Formal
1
9.9
14
8.2
7
3.2
141
3.4
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Reification comes from the Latin root res meaning 'thing' and the ending -ify meaning 'to make'. So to reify a person is literally to 'make them into a thing', which explains why the word means treating someone like an object.