Pertaining to an individual experience which can be observed and reported only by the person involved.
Representing the views or feelings of the person concerned and not impartial.
A term used to describe “reality” as it is perceived by an individual. Pain is subjective in that only the person experiencing it can describe it. “Subjective” is used in contrast with “objective,” which refers to observations which do not depend on the perception of the observer. A broken arm is objective in that it can be observed by others.
A term applied to symptoms, and sensations, perceived only by the affected individual. For example, numbness is a purely subjective sensation, whilst the jerk given by the leg on tapping the tendon of the knee is an objective sign.
Arising from or concerned with the individual; not perceptible to an observer; the opposite of objective.
Subjectivity refers to being influenced by the perspective of the information provider, which may introduce potential bias into the information presented.
Pertaining solely to the specific individual; a term suggesting that the symptoms the patient reports might be imagined, with no concrete evidence to back them up. Sometimes, it’s a tactful way of hinting that the patient might be feigning illness.