The word "externalise" is spelled with an "s" instead of a "z" due to British English spelling conventions. It is pronounced as /ɛkˈstəːn(ə)lʌɪz/, with the stress on the second syllable. The phonetic transcription shows that the word is composed of four syllables, with long "e" sounds in the second and fourth syllables. "Externalise" means to express or manifest something externally or outside of oneself, often used in a business context to describe outsourcing or the act of involving external parties in company processes.
The term "externalise" refers to the process or act of attributing or assigning a situation, responsibility, or consequence to individuals, groups, entities, or factors outside of oneself or one's immediate environment. It involves the act of considering or perceiving an issue as originating from external influences or sources, rather than acknowledging one's own involvement or accountability.
In a broader sense, externalising can be seen as the psychological or cognitive mechanism of projecting or placing the cause or blame for an event, problem, or circumstance onto external elements, thereby avoiding self-assessment or introspection. This may manifest in various scenarios, such as individuals externalising their own shortcomings, failures, or problems onto external factors like luck, societal conditions, or the actions of others.
The concept of externalising also has implications beyond individual behavior, extending to organizational or systemic contexts. In business or management, for instance, externalising might involve organizations attributing negative outcomes or challenges to factors beyond their control, such as economic changes, competitor actions, or government policies.
Moreover, externalising can also be observed in interpersonal relationships, where individuals project their own emotions, insecurities, or flaws onto others, perceiving them as the source of their discomfort or problems. This tendency to externalise can hinder personal growth and development as it deflects responsibility and hampers self-reflection.
In summary, "externalise" refers to the act of attributing a situation, problem, or consequence to external factors, thereby avoiding self-assessment or personal accountability.
The word "externalise" is derived from the combination of the prefix "ex-", meaning "out" or "outside", and the root word "internalise". The term "internalise" refers to the process of making something internal or intrinsic. By adding the prefix "ex-" to "internalise", it changes the meaning to "to make external or bring outside". The etymology of "externalise" thus relates to the action of projecting or expressing something externally, usually in a social or psychological context.