individuation

noun

in·di·vid·u·a·tion | \ ˌin-də-ˌvi-jə-ˈwā-shən

How to pronounce individuation (audio)

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Definition of individuation

1 : the act or process of individuating: such as

a(1) : the development of the individual from the universal

(2) : the determination of the individual in the general

b : the process by which individuals in society become differentiated from one another

c : regional differentiation along a primary embryonic axis

2 : the state of being individuated specifically : individuality

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Zimbardo continued to study the effects of individuation and social influence as well as therapeutic techniques for survivors of trauma. — Katie Worth, Scientific American, "When Scientists Are Mad about Each Other," 14 Feb. 2014 His research focused on individuation the negative forms of social influence (such as conformity, obedience and the bystander effect) and the use of time perspective as therapy after trauma. — Katie Worth, Scientific American, "When Scientists Are Mad about Each Other," 14 Feb. 2014 This process of individuation is all the more impressive for its refusal to present its team as a classic band of archetypes. — Ben Brantley, New York Times, "Review: ‘The Wolves’: A Pack of Female Warriors, Each Determined to Score," 11 Sep. 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'individuation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near individuation

individual retirement account

individual variable

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Time Traveler for individuation

The first known use of individuation was in 1616

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More Definitions for individuation

individuation

noun

in·di·vid·u·a·tion | \ -ˌvij-ə-ˈwā-shən

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Medical Definition of individuation

1 : the process in the analytic psychology of C. G. Jung by which the self is formed by integrating elements of the conscious and unconscious mind

2 : regional differentiation along a primary embryonic axis

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