Understanding Projection in Everyday Life
BY: Neighbors’ Consejo|
It is human nature to see the world not as it is, but as we are. This psychological filtering is often due to projection, where our personal biases, desires, and insecurities are cast onto others, shaping how we perceive and interact with the world. From minor misunderstandings to major conflicts, projection can play a pivotal role. This article delves into the mechanics of projection, illustrating its everyday effects and offering insights into how recognizing and managing this unconscious process can lead to more genuine and harmonious relationships.
“Projection is the process of displacing one’s feelings onto a different person, animal, or object. The term is most commonly used to describe defensive projection, attributing one’s own unacceptable urges to another. For example, if someone continuously bullies and ridicules a peer about his insecurities, the bully might be projecting his own struggle with self-esteem onto the other person.”
According to Britannica, “the concept was introduced to psychology by the Austrian psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud, who borrowed the word projection from neurology, where it referred to the inherent capacity of neurons to transmit stimuli from one level of the nervous system to another. This presumably universal tendency of the human social animal has both positive and negative effects. Depending on what qualities are projected and whether they are denied in the self, projection can be the basis of both warm empathy and cold hatred.”
Forms of projection include:
- Attributing bothersome qualities to someone else
- Attributing positive qualities onto someone else
- Assuming other people share beliefs, opinions, and priorities
- Assuming other people have the same skills and abilities
Why do people project? Choosing Therapy affirms, “projection is often a reflection of how someone feels about themselves. People who project onto others avoid taking responsibility for their innermost feelings and desires. Attributing an uncomfortable feeling or trait to someone or something else means they can avoid acknowledging that part of themselves, thus projecting their self-esteem. Additionally, age and co-occurring mental or physical health conditions can contribute to projection. Adolescents and people with substance use problems, brain injuries, narcissistic personality disorder, or borderline personality disorder (BPD) often use psychological projection.”
What are the signs someone is projecting onto you? “The signs of projection can look different coming from different people. For example: being overly critical; making accusations: defensiveness. How does projection affect your health? “Projection can also be a sign of certain mental health issues. Research has linked projection and other defense mechanism to depression and anxiety, and to borderline, narcissistic, and antisocial traits.”
Let’s review good examples of psychological projection we all commit:
- “He/she hates me!”
- “Oh my God, she is so fat/ugly/slutty!”
- “Other people make me uncomfortable.”
- “If I can do it, other people can as well.”
- “That is gross/bad, get it away from me.”
Understanding projection not only clarifies the dynamics of our emotional responses but also serves as a preventive mental health strategy. By becoming aware of the tendency to project our feelings and beliefs onto others, individuals can work towards more authentic and positive engagements, reducing stress and enhancing overall wellbeing.
References
Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Projection. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/projection
Psychology Today. (n.d.). Projection. Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/projection
Encyclopedia Britannica. (n.d.). Projection. In Britannica.com. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/science/projection-psychology
Choosing Therapy. (2023, August 17). What is projection? Definition & examples. Choosing Therapy. Retrieved from https://www.choosingtherapy.com/projection/
Luyten, P., & Blatt, S. J. (2017). Looking back towards the future: Is it time to change the DSM approach to personality disorders? World Psychiatry, 16(3), 294–295. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20456
Rapaport, L. (n.d.). Psychological projection: Dealing with undesirable emotions. Everyday Health. Retrieved from https://www.everydayhealth.com/emotional-health/psychological-projection-dealing-with-undesirable-emotions/
LonerWolf. (n.d.). What is psychological projection? LonerWolf. Retrieved from https://lonerwolf.com/psychological-projection/