Abjection

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Abjection

Abjection (/əbˈdʒɛkʃən/) is a term used in psychology, psychoanalysis, and literary theory to describe a state of being cast off or degraded. The concept has been extensively explored in post-structuralism where it is often associated with the work of Julia Kristeva.

Etymology

The term 'abjection' is derived from the Latin 'abjectus', which means 'thrown away'. It was first used in a psychological context by Julia Kristeva in her 1980 work 'Powers of Horror: An Essay on Abjection'.

Definition

In psychoanalysis, abjection refers to the human reaction (horror, vomit) to a threatened breakdown in meaning caused by the loss of the distinction between subject and object or between self and other. The primary example for what causes such a reaction is the corpse (which traumatically reminds us of our own materiality, symbolizing that the seemingly independent, coherent identity is materially contingent).

Related Terms

  • Objectification: The act of degrading someone to the status of a mere object.
  • Dehumanization: The process of depriving a person or group of positive human qualities.
  • Marginalization: The process of making a person or group feel insignificant or peripheral.
  • Alienation: The state of being isolated or estranged.

See Also

External links

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