Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Does it Mean?ExamplesCausesSigns Someone is ProjectingHow to Stop Projecting

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

What Does it Mean?

Examples

Causes

Signs Someone is Projecting

How to Stop Projecting

Projection is a type ofdefense mechanismor means of coping. People may use defense mechanisms and unconscious mental strategies to cope with stressful or anxiety-provoking thoughts and experiences.

When someone unconsciously attributes their thoughts, feelings, or behaviors to another person, they are projecting.For example, your partner may feel jealous in your relationship but may accuse you of being jealous. In this example, your partner is projecting their jealousy onto you.

This article explores the meaning of projection, what causes it, how to spot if someone is projecting onto you, and strategies for stopping the behavior.

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Two women sitting on a sofa; one is looking at her phone and the other is looking at her friend

The Meaning of Projecting in Psychology

Evidence from the other person’s words or actions may or may not support these emotional responses. Some research theorizes that projection could develop from physical and verbal expressions of denial in early childhood.

Projection is often viewed as a coping strategy that people engage in when experiencing intense and complex emotions. When we project our feelings onto others, it can serve as a way to keep us from experiencing uncomfortable emotions like fear, guilt, or shame. It can also be an unconscious effort to preserve our self-esteem or sense of self.

What Does Projecting Mean?Projecting is when someone unconsciously attributes their thoughts, feelings, or behaviors to another person.

What Does Projecting Mean?

Projecting is when someone unconsciously attributes their thoughts, feelings, or behaviors to another person.

Examples of Projecting

There are different types of projection. The most common are:

What’s important to remember and recognize is that what is being projected may not necessarily align with the thoughts, feelings, beliefs, or actions of the person onto whom it is being projected.

What Causes Projection?

Projection can result from experiencing thoughts, feelings, emotions, or impulses that are difficult to acknowledge and manage.We may uncover something about ourselves that makes us uncomfortable and struggle to accept or deal with it.

Trauma is another reason that people may project. A person who has experienced a stressful or traumatic event may struggle tocope with the aftermathof that situation. As a result, they are left feeling fearful or powerless.

Projection may allow a person to separate themselves from the trauma. However, this may lead them to project intense emotions onto others. Though projection may temporarily relieve strong emotions, it can fuel feelings of anxiety and mistrust and impact relationships and mental health.

Signs Someone Else Is Projecting Onto You

It can be challenging to identify when someone is projecting on you, partly because it may not be apparent to them. You might have trouble deciphering whether someone is sharing how they actually feel toward you or something else is happening.

Here are some signs to watch out for that might indicate that someone is projecting onto you:

Responding to Projection

What someone is projecting onto you may reflect how they think and feel about themselves. If you feel someone is projecting onto you, you can try:

Is Projecting Gaslighting?

How to Stop Projecting Onto Other People

If you recognize or receive feedback that you’ve been projecting, know that this is something you can address and improve. Here are some strategies you can use:

Getting HelpIf you or a loved one is struggling with projecting and looking for professional support, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see theNational Helpline Database.

Getting Help

If you or a loved one is struggling with projecting and looking for professional support, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see theNational Helpline Database.

If you or a loved one is struggling with projecting and looking for professional support, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.

For more mental health resources, see theNational Helpline Database.

Summary

Many of us unconsciously engage in projection to cope with difficult thoughts, emotions, impulses, or behaviors. However, if left unchecked, projection can damage our sense of self and relationships. Exploring beliefs, fears, and insecurities can be uncomfortable, which can lead to projection. Uncovering those issues is valuable and can improve your awareness, communication, and relationships with yourself and others.

11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Di Giuseppe M, Perry JC.The hierarchy of defense mechanisms: assessing defensive functioning with the defense mechanisms rating scales Q-sort.Frontiers in Psychology. 2021;12. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.718440American Psychological Association.Projection.Rice TR, Hoffman L.Defense mechanisms and implicit emotion regulation: a comparison of a psychodynamic construct with one from contemporary neuroscience.J Am Psychoanal Assoc. 2014;62(4):693-708. doi:10.1177/0003065114546746Bowins B.Psychological defense mechanisms: a new perspective.Am J Psychoanal. 2004;64(1):1-26. doi:10.1023/B:TAJP.0000017989.72521.26Holmes DS.Dimensions of projection.Psychological Bulletin. 1968;69(4):248-268. doi:10.1037/h0025725Bailey R, Pico J.Defense mechanisms. In:StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; May 29, 2022.Kacel EL, Ennis N, Pereira DB.Narcissistic personality disorder in clinical health psychology practice: case studies of comorbid psychological distress and life-limiting illness.Behav Med. 2017;43(3):156-164. doi:10.1080/08964289.2017.1301875Favre N, Despland JN, de Roten Y, et al.Psychodynamic aspects of communication skills training: a pilot study.Supportive Care in Cancer. 2006;15(3):333-337. doi:10.1007/s00520-006-0150-6Overton AR, Lowry AC.Conflict management: difficult conversations with difficult people.Clinics in Colon and Rectal Surgery. 2013;26(04):259-264. doi:10.1055/s-0033-1356728Sweet PL.The sociology of gaslighting.American Sociological Review. 2019;84(5):851-875. doi:10.1177/0003122419874843Panfil AL, Frandes M, Nirestean A, et al.Interrelation between defensive mechanisms and coping strategies in psychiatry trainees in Romania: a multicenter study.Annals of General Psychiatry. 2020;19(1). doi:10.1186/s12991-020-00307-1

11 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Di Giuseppe M, Perry JC.The hierarchy of defense mechanisms: assessing defensive functioning with the defense mechanisms rating scales Q-sort.Frontiers in Psychology. 2021;12. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.718440American Psychological Association.Projection.Rice TR, Hoffman L.Defense mechanisms and implicit emotion regulation: a comparison of a psychodynamic construct with one from contemporary neuroscience.J Am Psychoanal Assoc. 2014;62(4):693-708. doi:10.1177/0003065114546746Bowins B.Psychological defense mechanisms: a new perspective.Am J Psychoanal. 2004;64(1):1-26. doi:10.1023/B:TAJP.0000017989.72521.26Holmes DS.Dimensions of projection.Psychological Bulletin. 1968;69(4):248-268. doi:10.1037/h0025725Bailey R, Pico J.Defense mechanisms. In:StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; May 29, 2022.Kacel EL, Ennis N, Pereira DB.Narcissistic personality disorder in clinical health psychology practice: case studies of comorbid psychological distress and life-limiting illness.Behav Med. 2017;43(3):156-164. doi:10.1080/08964289.2017.1301875Favre N, Despland JN, de Roten Y, et al.Psychodynamic aspects of communication skills training: a pilot study.Supportive Care in Cancer. 2006;15(3):333-337. doi:10.1007/s00520-006-0150-6Overton AR, Lowry AC.Conflict management: difficult conversations with difficult people.Clinics in Colon and Rectal Surgery. 2013;26(04):259-264. doi:10.1055/s-0033-1356728Sweet PL.The sociology of gaslighting.American Sociological Review. 2019;84(5):851-875. doi:10.1177/0003122419874843Panfil AL, Frandes M, Nirestean A, et al.Interrelation between defensive mechanisms and coping strategies in psychiatry trainees in Romania: a multicenter study.Annals of General Psychiatry. 2020;19(1). doi:10.1186/s12991-020-00307-1

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Di Giuseppe M, Perry JC.The hierarchy of defense mechanisms: assessing defensive functioning with the defense mechanisms rating scales Q-sort.Frontiers in Psychology. 2021;12. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.718440American Psychological Association.Projection.Rice TR, Hoffman L.Defense mechanisms and implicit emotion regulation: a comparison of a psychodynamic construct with one from contemporary neuroscience.J Am Psychoanal Assoc. 2014;62(4):693-708. doi:10.1177/0003065114546746Bowins B.Psychological defense mechanisms: a new perspective.Am J Psychoanal. 2004;64(1):1-26. doi:10.1023/B:TAJP.0000017989.72521.26Holmes DS.Dimensions of projection.Psychological Bulletin. 1968;69(4):248-268. doi:10.1037/h0025725Bailey R, Pico J.Defense mechanisms. In:StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; May 29, 2022.Kacel EL, Ennis N, Pereira DB.Narcissistic personality disorder in clinical health psychology practice: case studies of comorbid psychological distress and life-limiting illness.Behav Med. 2017;43(3):156-164. doi:10.1080/08964289.2017.1301875Favre N, Despland JN, de Roten Y, et al.Psychodynamic aspects of communication skills training: a pilot study.Supportive Care in Cancer. 2006;15(3):333-337. doi:10.1007/s00520-006-0150-6Overton AR, Lowry AC.Conflict management: difficult conversations with difficult people.Clinics in Colon and Rectal Surgery. 2013;26(04):259-264. doi:10.1055/s-0033-1356728Sweet PL.The sociology of gaslighting.American Sociological Review. 2019;84(5):851-875. doi:10.1177/0003122419874843Panfil AL, Frandes M, Nirestean A, et al.Interrelation between defensive mechanisms and coping strategies in psychiatry trainees in Romania: a multicenter study.Annals of General Psychiatry. 2020;19(1). doi:10.1186/s12991-020-00307-1

Di Giuseppe M, Perry JC.The hierarchy of defense mechanisms: assessing defensive functioning with the defense mechanisms rating scales Q-sort.Frontiers in Psychology. 2021;12. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.718440

American Psychological Association.Projection.

Rice TR, Hoffman L.Defense mechanisms and implicit emotion regulation: a comparison of a psychodynamic construct with one from contemporary neuroscience.J Am Psychoanal Assoc. 2014;62(4):693-708. doi:10.1177/0003065114546746

Bowins B.Psychological defense mechanisms: a new perspective.Am J Psychoanal. 2004;64(1):1-26. doi:10.1023/B:TAJP.0000017989.72521.26

Holmes DS.Dimensions of projection.Psychological Bulletin. 1968;69(4):248-268. doi:10.1037/h0025725

Bailey R, Pico J.Defense mechanisms. In:StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; May 29, 2022.

Kacel EL, Ennis N, Pereira DB.Narcissistic personality disorder in clinical health psychology practice: case studies of comorbid psychological distress and life-limiting illness.Behav Med. 2017;43(3):156-164. doi:10.1080/08964289.2017.1301875

Favre N, Despland JN, de Roten Y, et al.Psychodynamic aspects of communication skills training: a pilot study.Supportive Care in Cancer. 2006;15(3):333-337. doi:10.1007/s00520-006-0150-6

Overton AR, Lowry AC.Conflict management: difficult conversations with difficult people.Clinics in Colon and Rectal Surgery. 2013;26(04):259-264. doi:10.1055/s-0033-1356728

Sweet PL.The sociology of gaslighting.American Sociological Review. 2019;84(5):851-875. doi:10.1177/0003122419874843

Panfil AL, Frandes M, Nirestean A, et al.Interrelation between defensive mechanisms and coping strategies in psychiatry trainees in Romania: a multicenter study.Annals of General Psychiatry. 2020;19(1). doi:10.1186/s12991-020-00307-1

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