Projection as Ego-defense Mechanism
Projection is an ego-defense mechanism wherein individuals attribute their own unacceptable desires, impulses, or traits onto others. This mechanism operates as a form of self-deception, allowing individuals to disown or distance themselves from their own inner conflicts or unacceptable aspects of their personality. It involves perceiving these undesirable qualities as belonging to "those people out there, but not by me." Example 1: An individual who struggles with feelings of jealousy and insecurity in their relationship may project those emotions onto their partner, accusing them of being unfaithful or disloyal without any concrete evidence. By attributing their own jealousy to their partner, they avoid facing their own underlying insecurities. Example 2: A person with repressed anger and aggressive tendencies may project those feelings onto others, believing that everyone else is hostile and prone to aggression. They might interpret harmless comments or actions from others …