Freud would later argue that projection did not take place arbitrarily, but rather seized on and exaggerated an element that already existed on a small scale in the other person. Projection is the process of displacing one’s feelings onto a different person, animal, or object. Projection is a psychological defense mechanism that involves attributing one's undesirable traits, feelings, or impulses to other people.

Understanding the Context

Projection has various meanings, but what they all have in common is that something is sent out or forward. A movie is projected onto a screen; a skilled actress projects her voice out into a large theater without seeming to shout; and something sticking out from a wall can be called a projection. Projection, the mental process by which people attribute to others what is in their own minds. The concept was introduced to psychology by Sigmund Freud.

Key Insights

In contemporary psychological science the term continues to have the meaning of seeing the self in the other. Projection is when people see their own bad traits in others instead of themselves. Projection can harm relationships and cause issues like jealousy and bullying. Projection happens when someone unconsciously attributes their thoughts, feelings, or behaviors to another person. Projection is a defense mechanism people use to cope with stressful or anxiety-provoking thoughts and experiences.

Final Thoughts

PROJECTION definition: a projecting or protruding part. See examples of projection used in a sentence.