Subjectified (adjective) describes a situation or concept that has been made subjective; rendered dependent on the individual's personal feelings, opinions, or interpretations, rather than being objective or universally factual. This process often involves the imposition of individual perspective, emotion, or bias onto something that may have previously been considered more neutral or objective. Subjectification can happen in different contexts, from art criticism to scientific observation, influencing the perception and understanding of the subject matter. It emphasizes the role of the observer in shaping the perceived reality. The core idea is that the 'thing' is not being observed for what it *is*, but is being filtered through the lens of personal experience.
Subjectified meaning with examples
- Art critics often employ subjectified language when describing abstract art. Instead of technical analysis, they use emotive terms to convey their personal experience of the work, focusing on feelings and sensations rather than demonstrable facts, leading to varied interpretations of the same piece. The work is no longer just color on canvas; it's joy, sorrow, or perhaps even anger.
- The debate surrounding climate change became highly subjectified when it was politicized. Objective scientific data became secondary to personal beliefs and political affiliations. The same facts were interpreted and utilized differently based on individual ideologies and pre-existing positions. Trust in the source and not the data led to very different conclusions.
- In consumer reviews, product descriptions are often subjectified. A simple product becomes imbued with personality and qualities related to the reviewer's experience, such as 'smooth', 'effortless', or 'disappointing', when it’s only the user’s impression of the product that is being explained, not factual performance data.
- Historical accounts are inevitably subjectified to some degree, as they are filtered through the perspectives and biases of the historians. Even with meticulous research, the selection of events, the emphasis placed on certain details, and the language used to describe them reflect the historian's own values and worldview.
- During a heated family argument, the interpretation of events often becomes thoroughly subjectified. Each person's memory of the same incident is colored by their own emotional state and personal investment in the situation. This can make resolution very difficult as each person describes a different reality.