Introduction
The term abjection, first used by Mary Douglas (1966), is useful in extending our understanding of how social class, poverty, exclusion, stigma, colonization, illness, and intergroup relations can work in concert to marginalize particular groups of people in society. Discussions of abjection are commonly referenced to Kristeva (1982) who developed a psychoanalytic and feminist reading of the term that focuses primarily on individual experiences of embodiment, boundaries, and separation. This is, however, only a partial interpretation of Mary Douglas’ work. A broader conceptualization of abjection is more appropriate in the context of diverse societies and in order to understand and address more fully social stratification and inequalities.
Definition
Abjection refers to a process whereby particular individuals and groups are singled out, othered, and dehumanized as abjects or tainted, dirty subjects to be avoided by other “normal” and “civilized” citizens. Abjects are...
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Hodgetts, D., Stolte, O. (2014). Abjection. In: Teo, T. (eds) Encyclopedia of Critical Psychology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5583-7_494
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