impersonality

Impersonality refers to the quality or condition of lacking a personal character or individuality, and of presenting information or behavior without evident personal attribution. The term can describe social and psychological phenomena, as well as artistic aims.

In sociology and organizational theory, impersonality denotes a system of rules, procedures, and roles that govern interactions irrespective of the individuals involved. This formal impersonality aims to promote consistency, fairness, and efficiency, minimizing personal relationships, biases, or discretion. Weberian bureaucracy is often cited as a classic example, where officials apply rules rather than appeal to personal ties.

In literary criticism and theory, impersonality is associated with a deliberate suppression of the author’s personal voice. The goal is to achieve objectivity, universality, or emotional precision through form and technique rather than through explicit personal emotion. T. S. Eliot, among others, argued that poetry should strive for impersonality, channeling emotion through art rather than through the poet’s ego.

In psychology and everyday life, impersonality can describe emotional distance, routine, or depersonalization. It may be used descriptively to characterize behavior that minimizes personal warmth or individuality, or to discuss experiences of detachment in clinical contexts. The term does not designate a specific disorder but can appear in discussions of personality, emotion, and social interaction.