What Is Projection: Definition, Types, and How to Manage It

Projection refers to the process of ascribing your thoughts, behaviors, impulses, feelings, and other characteristics to others. It typically happens when the ego attempts to protect itself from accepting undesirable truths that may threaten the person’s sense of self or identity. However, it can also occur as a result of cognitive biases.

In this article, we’ll discuss what projection in psychology is, how to recognize it in yourself and others, and how to manage it so it doesn’t affect your relationships with others.

What Is Projection?

Projection is a psychological defense mechanism in which people assign their own behaviors, thoughts, emotions, and other undesirable characteristics to others. This concept was first introduced by Sigmund Freud as one of several defense mechanisms in psychoanalytic theory and was later refined by Anna Freud, his daughter, and Karl Abraham.

Freud proposed that defense mechanisms, including projection, are unconscious. The ego uses them to protect people from thoughts and feelings that could cause anxiety if they were acknowledged. Simply put, the subconscious holds many characteristics that the conscious self would struggle to accept. By externalizing them, people can protect themselves from discomfort.

While healthy self-reflection is an act that requires self-awareness, projection often signals a lack of it. Unlike self-reflection, which involves acknowledging all parts of the self, projection keeps undesirable parts hidden by displacing them onto others.

Although it can help you avoid uncomfortable feelings, such as shame or guilt, and protect your self-image and self-esteem, projection can be very harmful. It can prevent you from seeing situations and people clearly and taking responsibility for your actions. As such, it can damage your interpersonal relationships and hinder your personal growth.

Now that we’ve defined what projection is, let’s explore the different types of this defense mechanism.

Types of Projection

There are three types of projection: neurotic, complimentary, and complementary projection. Here’s how they differ:

1. Neurotic projection. Neurotic projection is what comes to mind for most people when they think of this psychological defense mechanism. This type of projection happens when people attribute their own feelings, thoughts, and other internal experiences to others. For example, a husband who’s attracted to another woman may accuse his wife of finding other men attractive.
2. Complimentary projection. This type of projection occurs when people assume that others have the same capabilities as they do. For instance, an efficient manager at work may believe that their team members can complete tasks in the same amount of time, or someone good with numbers may assume that others also excel at math.
3. Complementary projection. With this type of projection, people assume that others share their beliefs, attitudes, and thoughts. For example, someone who is religious may think that others hold the same religious beliefs, or someone who believes that helping others is key to a fulfilling life may assume that other people are just as generous and altruistic.

Now that you know what projection is and that it comes in different forms, it’s time to look at some more real-life examples of this defense mechanism.

Examples of Projection in Everyday Life

When asking ‘what is projection in real life,’ it often looks like unfounded accusations or misplaced blame. Here’s how projection actually looks like in everyday life:

#1. Neurotic Projection

This type of projection people encounter most commonly in their daily lives, and here’s what it looks like:

• A wife who’s having an affair accuses her husband of having one.
• A controlling partner accuses their significant other of being too bossy.
• A friend who tends to gossip accuses others of talking behind their back.
• Someone who’s selfish complains that others only think about themselves.
• A friend who has trouble keeping secrets accuses their friends of being unreliable.
• A parent who feels guilty for neglecting their child accuses them of being ungrateful.
• Someone who’s self-critical blames others for judging them, even though they don’t.
• A coworker who struggles with procrastination accuses their colleague of slacking at work.
• A person who struggles with anger claims that others are difficult to get along with and show hostility toward them.
• A coworker who secretly dislikes a colleague tells others that their colleague doesn’t like them, even when they show no signs of dislike.

#2. Complimentary Projection

Below are a few examples of complimentary projection:

• A physically fit person assumes that others can easily handle intense physical activity.
• Someone with great communication skills assumes that others can also express their thoughts clearly.
• A manager who’s great at public speaking assumes that their team members also have excellent presentation skills and enjoy speaking in front of a crowd.

#3. Complementary Projection

Here’s what complementary projection can look like in real life:

• Someone who values honesty assumes that others always tell the truth.
• A family-oriented person assumes that those around them also want to have children.
• A friend who doesn’t consume animal products for ethical purposes assumes that their friends also care deeply about animal rights.

Why Do People Project?

People project because they have difficulty accepting and managing specific thoughts and feelings, meaning projection acts as a psychological safeguard. In other words, projecting allows people to avoid dealing with undesirable aspects of themselves by displacing them onto others.

The underlying causes of projection most commonly include one or more of the following:

• Ego protection. The ego feels threatened when people experience impulses or feelings that clash with their sense of identity. Projection helps protect the ego by enabling people to ascribe these conflicting experiences to others.
• Avoidance of responsibility. Attributing behaviors or feelings to others can help people avoid taking responsibility for their own actions.
• Inability to effectively cope with internal conflict. People may project their feelings onto others when they experience inner conflicts, as externalizing them reduces stress. However, this isn’t the healthiest coping mechanism.

Although projection is one of the most common defense mechanisms in psychology, some people may project their thoughts, feelings, and beliefs onto others simply because they have cognitive biases. This is often the case with complementary and complimentary projection, which people use to reinforce their worldviews.

Furthermore, a study by Phebe Cramer at Williams College found that narcissistic, borderline, psychopathic, and histrionic traits are related to the use of projection. Nonetheless, anyone, including those without personality disorders, can use psychological projection.

How to Recognize and Respond to Projection

Recognizing projection is key to responding to it in a healthy, constructive way that protects your emotional well-being while maintaining harmonious relationships with others. However, spotting it is no easy task, given that people do it unconsciously.

Nonetheless, certain signs may indicate that someone may be using psychological projection on you, including:

• Accusations. People who project usually make accusations without any evidence to support their claims. Their accusations may also seem exaggerated or have a repeated theme (i.e., they may accuse several people of doing the same thing).
• Lack of accountability. Those who use projection as a defense mechanism struggle to take responsibility for their actions. If you confront them, they may become more defensive instead of taking accountability.
• Intense emotional responses. When people project their feelings onto others, their emotional reactions often seem disproportionate to the situation. Such people may also invalidate your feelings.

What to Do if Someone Is Projecting on You?

The best thing to do if someone is projecting on you is to pause and evaluate the situation. Try to avoid reacting impulsively, defensively, or aggressively, as this may only fuel tension.

Here are some tips to help you effectively respond to projection:

• Avoid taking it personally. Projection, especially the neurotic type, may be unpleasant to deal with; after all, no one likes to be wrongfully blamed or accused of something. However, realizing that projection has more to do with the person who uses it than you can help you avoid taking it to heart and handle it calmly.
• Try to understand their perspective. If you think someone may be projecting onto you, ask them to clarify and elaborate on their statement. This way, you can create space for open communication and compare projection vs. reality, which can help you rationally assess the situation.
• Communicate your thoughts and needs. Once you get to the heart of the issue and understand the other person’s perspective, you can calmly express your feelings and thoughts. If needed, don’t hesitate to set clear boundaries, especially if the person you’re talking to dismisses your feelings.

How to Manage and Overcome Projection

To manage and overcome projection, it’s essential to develop self-awareness. If left unmanaged, projection can lead to strained relationships, but the good news is that you can disrupt this behavioral pattern once you acknowledge it.

Here are some practical tips on how to stop projecting:

• Make time for self-reflection. Pay attention to any accusations, judgments, or intense emotional reactions you tend to have toward others and reflect on them. Becoming aware of your insecurities, fears, or any emotions you’re trying to avoid can help you stop projecting them onto others.
• Practice radical self-acceptance. According to a study by researchers at the University of Haifa, radical acceptance of reality is an effective method for emotional regulation. Since projections occur when we deny parts of ourselves, including negative emotions, unconditional self-acceptance can be helpful in overcoming projection.
• Be open to other people’s feedback. Try not to react defensively if someone points out that you might’ve been projecting; they simply want to improve communication with you. Instead of taking it personally, try to see it as an opportunity to grow and build more harmonious connections with others.
• Learn to respond instead of reacting. Remember that you don’t have to reply to people right away. Taking a moment to collect your thoughts can help you avoid projection and communicate in a more constructive way.

If needed, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. Projection is largely unconscious, so overcoming it with the help of a licensed mental health professional is often much easier than navigating this journey by yourself.

Next, let’s talk about projection and the Enneagram system.

Projection and the Enneagram System

All personality types within the Enneagram system may use projection to cope with unwanted thoughts and feelings or reinforce their worldview. However, each type has different fears and desires that impact the way they project onto others.

Here are some examples of common projection patterns across different Enneagram types:

Enneagram Type 1

The Enneagram Type 1has a strong desire for perfection, but Ones also have a harsh inner critic. As such, they may project their critical nature onto others. They may externalize their criticism and target it toward others or, conversely, accuse others of being judgmental.

Enneagram Type 2

Type Two is empathetic, accommodating, and generous. Although Twos go above and beyond to help others, they may project their needs onto them, as expressing them directly can make them feel self-centered. For example, they may insist that others need their help or support when, in fact, it is they who could use a helping hand, a shoulder to cry on, or advice.

Enneagram Type 3

Also known as Achievers, Threes are competitive individuals who fear failure and crave success. They usually project their success orientation onto others, believing that everyone is as ambitious as they are. They may also engage in neurotic projection by accusing other people of being overly competitive or wanting to outshine them.

Enneagram Type 4

Fours are deeply emotional people who strive to be authentic yet often feel misunderstood and compare themselves to others. In an attempt to manage this inner conflict, the Enneagram Type 4 may project their feelings of inadequacy or “otherness” onto others, claiming that others see them as flawed or can’t understand them.

Enneagram Type 5

The Enneagram Type 5 is characterized by a private nature, a hunger for knowledge, and perceptiveness. Although they’re quite introspective, they tend to project their independence and fear of losing it onto others. Most commonly, they do this by assuming that others need less connection than they actually do or by accusing them of being too needy or intrusive.

Enneagram Type 6

The Enneagram Type 6 desires to feel safe, but Sixes can be anxious, defensive, and even paranoid, especially when they’re unhealthy. As such, they may project their worries and insecurities onto others, accusing them of being untrustworthy or dangerous. For instance, they may think that a colleague is plotting against them.

Enneagram Type 7

Type Seven desires novelty, adventure, and excitement. While Sevens can be incredibly fun to be around, they may project their fear of boredom and pain onto others. They may, for example, assume that their friends are as spontaneous as they are or think that their partner also wants to avoid difficult conversations, even when they’re trying to initiate them.

Enneagram Type 8

The Enneagram Type 8 is independent, strong-willed, and assertive. Eights fear losing control of their lives and may project their own anger, intensity, or need for social dominance onto others. It’s not uncommon for them to perceive others as controlling, manipulative, or aggressive, even when it’s not the case.

Enneagram Type 9

People with the Enneagram 9 personality type seek harmony and peace above all else. However, they may project their conflict avoidance onto others, which can cause tension in their relationships. For instance, they may assume that their significant other, who in reality prefers addressing problems directly, is also content with sweeping things under the rug.

Key Takeaways

By now, you should have a much clearer understanding of what projection is and how to recognize and manage it in yourself and others.

Before you go, let’s reiterate the key points we covered in this article:

• Projection is a defense mechanism that was first conceptualized by Sigmund Freud.
• It comes in three types, with neurotic projection being the most typical kind of this defense mechanism.
• The key to overcoming projection lies in self-awareness; accepting yourself fully can help you stop projecting the unwanted parts of yourself onto others.

What Is Projection FAQ