Externaliseren

Externaliseren is a Dutch term that describes the act of making something external or outward. In a psychological context, it refers to the process where individuals attribute internal feelings, thoughts, or characteristics to external sources or people. This can manifest as blaming others for one's own mistakes, projecting one's own anxieties onto others, or seeing one's own desirable qualities in someone else.

The concept of externalization is often discussed in relation to defense mechanisms, where it serves to protect the ego from uncomfortable internal states. For instance, someone feeling insecure might externalize their insecurity by criticizing others for being arrogant. It can also be a coping strategy, where individuals try to distance themselves from overwhelming emotions by attributing them to external factors, making them seem less personal and more manageable.

In broader organizational or business contexts, externaliseren can refer to outsourcing tasks or functions that were previously handled internally to external providers. This might involve manufacturing, customer service, or IT support. The goal is often to reduce costs, increase efficiency, or gain access to specialized expertise. This usage of the term focuses on the physical or functional relocation of a process or service from within an entity to outside of it.