What Is Idealization? Idealization is a psychological or mental process of attributing overly positive qualities to another person or thing. 2 It's a way of coping with anxiety in which an object or person of ambivalence is viewed as perfect, or as having exaggerated positive qualities.

What is an example of idealization?

Example. A teenager in awe of a rock star idealizes their idol, imagining them to have a perfect life, to be kind and thoughtful, and so on. They ignore the star's grosser habits and rough background. A person has bought an exotic foreign holiday.

What does idealization mean?

transitive verb. 1a : to attribute ideal characteristics to tended to idealize her teachers. b : to give an ideal form or value to. 2 : to treat idealistically portraitists who idealize their subjects.