Contents
Psychology, beginning with the founder of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud, distinguishes many defense mechanisms, i.e. reactions aimed at reducing anxiety, guilt and generally dealing with emerging internal conflicts. We are often unaware of this type of behavior, so we can call it habitual. One of the most common defense mechanisms is projection. What is the projection mechanism? What does psychoanalysis and Gestalt therapy say about it? What types of projection are there?
What is projection?
Projection is a term that comes from the Latin word “proiacere” which literally means “to throw in front of you.” The Latin name itself can tell us a lot about the projection mechanism. Projection is the attribution of traits, behaviors, feelings and views to other people, when in fact these traits and behaviors concern ourselves. Why is this happening? It turns out that it is fully understandable. We just find it easier to spot uncomfortable traits in others than to admit to ourselves that we have them. The projection mechanism is therefore a distortion of reality in such a way as to avoid frustration with yourself. Sigmund Freud was the first to talk about the projection mechanism. Although it is primarily associated with psychoanalysis, the term “projection” is also very eagerly used by other trends in psychology.
What types of projection can there be?
Psychology distinguishes four main types of projection developed by Holmes. These are the similarity projection, the attributive projection, the Pan-Glo-Kassandra projection, and the complementary projection. The projection of similarity is often compared to the classical projection that was first distinguished by Sigmund Freud. This projection is about the unconscious self-trait, which means that the person is not aware of their negative trait, but sees it in other people.
Attributive projection also involves assigning a negative trait to another person, but unlike projection of similarity, we are aware of our own negative trait. The more the person to whom the trait is attributed is appreciated and respected, the greater the projection.
The Pan-Glooso-Kassandra projection concerns the attribution of different characteristics to other people, but we also do not possess them ourselves. People who use Kassandra projection actually feel positive about the world, yet perceive it as negative.
Complementary projection is when a person does not have a feature projected onto someone else, but is aware of another feature that leads to this type of projection.
Projection and psychoanalysis
As mentioned earlier, projection is referred to in various currents of psychology, but the term derives from psychoanalysis, and it is in this trend that we find the greatest number of different theories and analyzes concerning the projection mechanism. There are two basic types of projection in psychoanalysis: psychotic and non-psychotic. Psychotic projection is the perception of undesirable traits in oneself, but as if they were somehow separate from the inner self. Non-psychotic projection, on the other hand, is a more frequent type of projection when we attribute features to other people that we do not want. Non-psychotic projection is also often called projective identification.
Projection and Gestalt therapy
Gestalt therapy also says a lot about the projection mechanism. According to this trend, this mechanism consists primarily in assigning responsibility for our own self to the environment in which we are present. So we crowd out our own disadvantages, and instead we see them in the people around us.
How to deal with the projection mechanism?
It is not easy to deal with the projection mechanism by yourself. Usually, we are not even aware that the problem may be with us. The first step, then, is to realize that we are using the projection mechanism in everyday situations. To do this, it is necessary to closely observe one’s behavior, actions, and especially reactions in difficult, stressful or conflict situations. The best way to get rid of the projection mechanism is, of course, to go to a qualified and experienced psychologist who will help us understand where the projection mechanism comes from, in which situations it occurs most often, what people it primarily affects and what steps can help us undo the projection .