Projection is a defense mechanisms in which our own undesirable traits , thoughts, feelings and impulses are attributed to others.
First popularized by Sigmund Freud in his Psychoanalytical theory before his Daughter, Anna Freud, expanded it in her work, The Ego Defense Mechanisms.
The Emotions, Behaviours and thoughts we refuse to acknowledge in our selves are attributed or rather delegated to an external object.
Like other defense mechanisms, Projection, Freud believed helped to protect us from uncomfortable feelings that would arouse had we acknowledged them.
When the Primary mechanisms of Repression fails to solve the problem, Projection comes in to externalize the already Repressed Thoughts, Impulses and feelings.
For instance; An Individual with repressed anger may instead of acknowledging it, displace it outward and see others as being hostile or aggressive to them.
Why we Project;
There are several reasons why our mind resorts to Projection;
1. To avoid the Problems of Ambivalence; Repressed Thoughts, impulses and feelings might contradict our self-concept or beliefs if they surface back to consciousness leading to a Cognitive Dissonance hence the idea of distancing ourselves from them by attributing it to others solves it.
For instance; An individual who believes is intelligent as most of us do but was highly criticized in childhood hence repressed insecurities about his own intelligence might criticize others of being stupid.
2. Alleviate Discomforts and Inner tension from our minds.
Projections just like other defense mechanisms helps reduce the discomfort that arises when the Impulses of the ID clash with the moral constraints of the Superego.
For instance; A Partner yearning to cheat on his spouse but believes cheating is bad projects her impulses outwards by claiming that the spouse is cheating on her.
3. When we want to avoid accountability.
Sometimes we use projection as an attempt to run away from our own unacceptable parts by attributing it to others.
For instance; A dishonesty person who is unwilling to confront or admit his guilt displaces it to others by accusing others of being dishonest.
4. When we are scared of facing our own Shortcomings.
For Instance; a father who never built a successful career might tell his son, “You won’t amount to anything” or, “Don’t even bother trying.” He is projecting his own insecurities onto his son instead of acknowledging it in him.
Effects Of Projection.
- Projection offers both long term and short term consequences including;
- Offering short term reliefs from uncomfortable feelings of anxiety, guilt and shame.
- They may Distort our perspection of others and hence judgement.
- It may also hinder growth that would otherwise be possible had we acknowledged the undesirable in ourselves.
- Other than distorted perspective, Projection leads to increased risk of interpersonal problems. We fall back to negative patterns of externalizing again and again through projection than if we had acknowledged the undesirable within us.
Characteristics of Projection;
1. It’s unconscious in nature though there can be a conscious aspect of it.
2. It Leads to a Distorted reality.
3. It’s based on one’s past experiences.
4. Can be a secondary mechanisms to supplement The Primary means of Repression.
How to Manage the Projection problem;
1. Self Reflection and Mindfulness. We notice when we accuse others and ask ourselves why?
2. Sometimes taking accountability over some of our flaws might help instead of attributing them to others.
3. We can also seek help from a trained Profession.
4. Beware of the Projection that comes from outside. Sometimes we are the victims, but recognizing it we avoid personalizing it.
Modern Scientists vs Sigmund Freud’s Projection.
Modern scientists regard projection as more a cognitive bias than a defense mechanism due to how it shapes an individual perception.
They however acknowledge the defensive aspect of it but only if attributing the unacceptable trait to others by the individual help to avoid recognizing it in themselves.
Different from Sigmund Freud’s concept, the Psychologists link projection to the idea of, The false consensus effect, by Ross, Greene, and House (1977) where an individual overestimates the like hood of being similar to others, or others sharing his opinions and beliefs, both Positive and negative.
But unlike Freud’s projection concept, here they show no evidence that it’s a defense mechanisms that protect us from undesirable traits.
References;
1. Ann Freud (1936), The Ego and the Mechanisms of Defence.
2. Roy F. Baumeister, Karen Dale, and Kristin L. Sommer (1998). Freudian Defense Mechanisms and Empirical Findings in Modern Social Psychology: Reaction Formation, Projection, Displacement, Undoing, Isolation, Sublimation, and Denial.
3. Sigmund Freud (1923), The Ego and the Id.
4. Sigmund Freud (1894), The Neuro-Psychoses of Defence. Standard Edition, 3:45-61