Projection is a psychological defense mechanism that consists of attributing to other people, objects or situations qualities, thoughts or feelings that the person rejects or cannot accept in themselves. It is an unconscious process through which aspects of one's own personality are externalized, thus avoiding confronting them or assuming responsibility for them.
Origin and development of projection
The concept of projection was introduced by Sigmund Freud as part of his psychoanalytic theory. Freud argued that projection was a form of defense used to protect the self from threatening or unacceptable thoughts, displacing them out of consciousness to another person or situation. According to Freud, projection is a mechanism that occurs early in the psychological development of the person and that can persist throughout life if it is not faced and worked on in psychological therapy.
Characteristics Projection
Projection is characterized by the transfer of unwanted or repressed aspects of one's own personality to other individuals or external objects. This can manifest itself in various ways, such as attributing negative thoughts or intentions to others that are actually your own, or attributing positive qualities to other people as a form of idealization or denial of your own negative attributes.
An important aspect. of projection is that the person who uses it is not aware of being projecting, since the projected thoughts, feelings or desires are repressed in their consciousness. Therefore, projection operates automatically and involuntarily, serving as a defense mechanism to preserve the psychological integrity of the individual.
Manifestations of projection
Projection can manifest itself in different forms. areas of daily life, from interpersonal relationships to the interpretation of reality. Some of the most common ways in which projection manifests itself are:
In interpersonal relationships:
- Attribution of negative motives or intentions to other people without objective evidence.
- Holding others responsible for one's own mistakes or failures.
- Projecting feelings of envy, jealousy or aggressiveness towards other individuals.
In the interpretation of reality:
- Distortion of the perception of reality so that it coincides with the beliefs or desires of the individual.
- Creation of fantasies or unrealistic scenarios to avoid uncomfortable aspects of one's own life.
- Rejection of information or evidence that contradicts personal beliefs.
Impact of projection on psychological life
Although projection can function as a useful defense mechanism in situations of stress or emotional conflict, its excessive or chronic use can have negative consequences on the person's psychological life. Some of the implications of projection are:
Distortion of the perception of reality:
Projection can lead to a distorted interpretation of reality, since the individual tends to see in others that which he rejects in himself. This can make it difficult to objectively understand situations and hinder the resolution of interpersonal conflicts.
Poor self-awareness:
By projecting aspects of one's own personality onto others, the person avoids confronting and working in his own self-awareness. This can hinder personal growth and emotional development, since the exploration of one's own thoughts, feelings and motivations is limited.
Impairment of interpersonal relationships:
Projection can generate misunderstandings, conflicts and resentments in interpersonal relationships, since the erroneous attribution of motives or intentions to others can create unnecessary tensions. Furthermore, by evading responsibility for one's own feelings or actions, the person distances himself from the possibility of establishing genuine bonds of trust with others.
Therapeutic approach to projection
The psychological treatment of projection usually involves deep work to explore and raise awareness of the unconscious mechanisms that support it. Some therapeutic strategies that can be useful in addressing projection are:
Psychoanalysis:
The psychoanalytic approach proposes exploring the deep roots of projection in the personal history of the individual, identifying the conflicts, traumas and unconscious fantasies that sustain it. Through free association, dream interpretation and transference, we seek to bring the projected aspects to consciousness for their integration into the individual's personality.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy:
Cognitive-behavioral therapy focuses on identifying and questioning the distorted thoughts that support projection, as well as promoting the acquisition of self-observation and self-evaluation skills. Through cognitive restructuring techniques and social skills training, we seek to modify the patterns of thought and behavior that perpetuate the projection.
Person-centered therapy:
Person-centered therapy persona, developed by Carl Rogers, focuses on self-knowledge, authenticity, and unconditional acceptance of the individual. Through the empathy and congruence of the therapist, a safe therapeutic space is created that facilitates the exploration and expression of the projected aspects, promoting the integration of the person as a whole.
Conclusions
Projection as a defense mechanism constitutes an unconscious psychological strategy used to protect the individual from threatening or unacceptable aspects of his or her own personality. Although projection can be useful in specific situations, its excessive or chronic use can have negative implications on psychological life and interpersonal relationships. The therapeutic approach to projection usually involves deep work to raise awareness and explore the unconscious mechanisms that support it, with the aim of promoting the personal growth and emotional development of the individual.