Projection

According to Wikipedia: projection is a defense mechanism where the unconscious part of the ego takes over, attributing internal impulses and feelings that the conscious personality finds unacceptable to an external object, which then enters awareness as a distorted perception of the outside world. While this mechanism is characteristic of psychotic states, projection frequently shows up in normal everyday life and within neuroses too.

Do you actually recognize when you're projecting? To borrow some terminology from Jung's work, a person encounters their Shadow during the process of individuation—which is basically all those negative traits tucked away in our own personalities. Facing your Shadow is always a painful experience, and projection serves as one of the primary ways we defend ourselves against it. For example, if you absolutely hate it when someone compares you to a parent of the same gender, maybe you just aren't ready to admit that you actually share some of those same qualities? Instead of seeing that comparison as a nudge toward self-improvement, you experience it strictly as an insult. Taking those projections back into yourself is a true sign of maturity and a perfectly natural step on the path of individuation, though unfortunately, some people stay stuck at that defensive stage forever.😢

Another classic case is projection on internet forums, something anyone who has spent a decent amount of time in online communities will recognize immediately. You’ll write a post, and someone will respond by essentially "putting words in your mouth," claiming you meant something that never even crossed your mind. Of course, that content is actually originating from their own psyche. It's often something they can't face themselves, so they operate under the assumption that "everyone thinks just like them," all while having absolutely no clue what they're doing or that they're engaging in projection.

Maybe you're just projecting onto others, thinking they're projecting onto you. I guess it isn't actually that common; rather, you might just be seeing reflections of your own internal state. Projection can be a perfectly normal way to communicate, provided it stays moderate and self-aware. Personally, it feels like people project less often now, perhaps because I've started projecting less myself.

I didn't really post this to ask for help or vent about specific problems, but rather to open up a conversation about this phenomenon because it's something many people aren't even aware of, even though it happens to everyone.

This is a fascinating topic 👍 In my view, pulling back those projections and actually recognizing them marks the beginning of true clarity. It’s that moment where you realize, "Okay, this is me, and this is reality. This part is just happening inside my own head because of X and Y, but *this* is how things actually are." It feels like finally stepping out of the mental fog and starting to live in the real world...

Apropos Jung, there was a great quote in Star Trek once—something along the lines of what Jung suggested about needing to confront the darker side of your psyche, which he famously called "mastering your Shadow" 😍 because that's exactly where projection originates.

wiredcrane11 said:I didn't really post this to ask for help or vent about specific problems, but rather to open up a conversation about this phenomenon because it's something many people aren't even aware of, even though it happens to everyone.

I suppose they will just stay unconscious. I guess people can't really be aware of everything, honestly.
If you are experiencing this personally, how can you be certain that what you observe in others is actually happening the way you perceive it? I suppose there might be some projection involved, though I don't think it happens all that frequently, even here on the forum. People tend to respond based on their immediate moods, so I guess we shouldn't expect perfectly ideal communication.

I suppose I was saying that true communication might be impossible without some level of projection; perhaps all interaction is just a form of projecting our own views. I guess the most important thing is simply being conscious of it.

I didn't really intend to frame the topic as "this is what's bothering me," I guess I just said it that way? 🙂

This is such an interesting topic. I guess withdrawing one's projections and actually recognizing them could be seen as the beginning of true clarity—realizing that "this is me" versus "this is reality." It feels like moving away from living entirely inside your own head and finally starting to live in the real world.

Well, that's just how it goes, I guess. 👍
In reality, there probably aren't that many projections happening. It might just feel like more if one happens to be projecting. Then, of course, they are... Maybe everyone else is just a little bit crazy. 🤣

wiredcrane11 said:I didn't really post this to ask for help or vent about specific problems, but rather to open up a conversation about this phenomenon because it's something many people aren't even aware of, even though it happens to everyone.

It's funny how much people just aren't aware of 🤷

boldjackal5 said:I suppose they will just stay unconscious. I guess people can't really be aware of everything, honestly.
If you are experiencing this personally, how can you be certain that what you observe in others is actually happening the way you perceive it? I suppose there might be some projection involved, though I don't think it happens all that frequently, even here on the forum. People tend to respond based on their immediate moods, so I guess we shouldn't expect perfectly ideal communication.

I suppose I was saying that true communication might be impossible without some level of projection; perhaps all interaction is just a form of projecting our own views. I guess the most important thing is simply being conscious of it.

I didn't really intend to frame the topic as "this is what's bothering me," I guess I just said it that way? 🙂

This is such an interesting topic. I guess withdrawing one's projections and actually recognizing them could be seen as the beginning of true clarity—realizing that "this is me" versus "this is reality." It feels like moving away from living entirely inside your own head and finally starting to live in the real world.

Well, that's just how it goes, I guess. 👍
In reality, there probably aren't that many projections happening. It might just feel like more if one happens to be projecting. Then, of course, they are... Maybe everyone else is just a little bit crazy. 🤣

But you did write:

boldjackal5 said:I suppose they will just stay unconscious. I guess people can't really be aware of everything, honestly.
If you are experiencing this personally, how can you be certain that what you observe in others is actually happening the way you perceive it? I suppose there might be some projection involved, though I don't think it happens all that frequently, even here on the forum. People tend to respond based on their immediate moods, so I guess we shouldn't expect perfectly ideal communication.

I suppose I was saying that true communication might be impossible without some level of projection; perhaps all interaction is just a form of projecting our own views. I guess the most important thing is simply being conscious of it.

I didn't really intend to frame the topic as "this is what's bothering me," I guess I just said it that way? 🙂

This is such an interesting topic. I guess withdrawing one's projections and actually recognizing them could be seen as the beginning of true clarity—realizing that "this is me" versus "this is reality." It feels like moving away from living entirely inside your own head and finally starting to live in the real world.

Well, that's just how it goes, I guess. 👍
In reality, there probably aren't that many projections happening. It might just feel like more if one happens to be projecting. Then, of course, they are... Maybe everyone else is just a little bit crazy. 🤣

I honestly wonder how you could possibly know what is going on inside my head, which is exactly why I phrased it that way. It seems to me that projection is happening on both our sides, which is just typical for an online forum.🙂 And it isn't just limited to forums.🙂

This is actually one of the milder versions of the phenomenon, as there are many truly tragic ways it manifests. You only have to look at politicians, who constantly exploit this during brainwashing sessions by telling people, "We are the greatest nation, while those other people over there are the worst, just look at what they've done," and so on. They certainly know how to package it. A classic example is how the Nazis used posters to depict Jewish people with rat-like features. There are countless examples like that out there.

Also, I'm curious how projection can be conscious, since you mentioned that earlier; typically, at the moment it occurs, it is unconscious, otherwise it wouldn't be happening at all. It might only seem conscious because we occasionally realize very quickly that something doesn't feel quite right.

I guess, how could you really know what's going on inside my head? That's why I wrote it that way... It seems like projection is happening on both our sides, which is pretty typical for an online forum🙂 and maybe even beyond the forum🙂

yeah, I suppose I might have mistaken you for another user here :rofl 🤣 🤣 You looked familiar ... ah, those projections. 😁

I still think that if you're seeing projection all over the board, you might be overthinking it; I mean, online communication can't really be much better than this. People mostly come here to work through their own feelings rather than just hearing others' opinions... but then again, who cares..

And also, how can a projection be conscious (since you mentioned that)? In the moment it happens, it's usually unconscious—otherwise, it wouldn't be a projection. Maybe it feels conscious because sometimes we realize quite quickly that something isn't quite right.

In a way, projection is the only way people communicate, and perhaps it can be conscious... I don't know, it doesn't really bother me when others do it...

That's actually the mildest version. There are many other, truly tragic types. Just look at politicians; they use it constantly for brainwashing, essentially using this phenomenon on others by saying things like, "We are the best nation, and those people over there are the worst, look at what they've done..."

Well, I suppose we are the best nation 🤣🤣🤣 :ispran mozak:

I don't really mind seeing projections in others... I just hope it doesn't lead to World War III

Where exactly did I post that question about seeing projections across the entire forum? 🙂 How can anyone claim that "projection is the only way to communicate"? If I were to point at a blue flower and you simply remarked on how lovely the blue shade is, there wouldn't be any projection involved at all.

It doesn't really sound like you think this is such a rare occurrence, I guess. 😉 Just a regular post on the forum, I guess.

wiredcrane11 said:According to Wikipedia: projection is a defense mechanism where the unconscious part of the ego takes over, attributing internal impulses and feelings that the conscious personality finds unacceptable to an external object, which then enters awareness as a distorted perception of the outside world. While this mechanism is characteristic of psychotic states, projection frequently shows up in normal everyday life and within neuroses too.

Do you actually recognize when you're projecting? To borrow some terminology from Jung's work, a person encounters their Shadow during the process of individuation—which is basically all those negative traits tucked away in our own personalities. Facing your Shadow is always a painful experience, and projection serves as one of the primary ways we defend ourselves against it. For example, if you absolutely hate it when someone compares you to a parent of the same gender, maybe you just aren't ready to admit that you actually share some of those same qualities? Instead of seeing that comparison as a nudge toward self-improvement, you experience it strictly as an insult. Taking those projections back into yourself is a true sign of maturity and a perfectly natural step on the path of individuation, though unfortunately, some people stay stuck at that defensive stage forever.😢

Another classic case is projection on internet forums, something anyone who has spent a decent amount of time in online communities will recognize immediately. You’ll write a post, and someone will respond by essentially "putting words in your mouth," claiming you meant something that never even crossed your mind. Of course, that content is actually originating from their own psyche. It's often something they can't face themselves, so they operate under the assumption that "everyone thinks just like them," all while having absolutely no clue what they're doing or that they're engaging in projection.

I guess I'm a little confused about how "projection is the only way to communicate" could actually be true? Maybe there's something I'm missing.

A wise gentleman once mentioned this to me—you know the one I mean—and he suggested that if one is aware of their projection, it becomes a sort of "bonding." I guess you could say that empathy itself is just another form of projection, maybe.
I guess communication might not even be interesting without a little "noise in the channel." Maybe that's what makes it worth having in the first place.

If I were to say, "Look at that blue flower," and you responded by saying, "That blue color is quite lovely," I suppose one might wonder where the projection lies in that interaction.

I'm not quite sure what the issue would be here... I guess I don't really understand what you're aiming for.

boldjackal5 said:It doesn't really sound like you think this is such a rare occurrence, I guess. 😉 Just a regular post on the forum, I guess.

I guess I'm a little confused about how "projection is the only way to communicate" could actually be true? Maybe there's something I'm missing.

A wise gentleman once mentioned this to me—you know the one I mean—and he suggested that if one is aware of their projection, it becomes a sort of "bonding." I guess you could say that empathy itself is just another form of projection, maybe.
I guess communication might not even be interesting without a little "noise in the channel." Maybe that's what makes it worth having in the first place.

If I were to say, "Look at that blue flower," and you responded by saying, "That blue color is quite lovely," I suppose one might wonder where the projection lies in that interaction.

I'm not quite sure what the issue would be here... I guess I don't really understand what you're aiming for.

Unfortunately, I don't know which gentleman you're referring to, and I'm not quite sure what you mean by "bonding."

Here is a definition from a Jungian website:

Projection
The process where an individual takes elements from their inner world—specifically unconscious qualities or traits, whether they are positive or negative—and projects them onto other people or objects. Because this is an unconscious process, these displaced and projected contents are perceived as being genuine characteristics of the persons or objects onto which they have been transferred. Projecting the anima or animus onto a real man or woman is most commonly experienced as falling in love.

In therapy, the goal is to spot those projections when treating neuroses and essentially deconstruct them—showing the patient that what they're seeing isn't actually rooted in reality.
The real kicker is when you encounter a projection tied to someone’s genuine flaws. Sure, the faults are real, but the emotional intensity behind them is dialed up to an absurd level. Most people projecting have no idea they’re doing it; it’s completely subconscious. Honestly, I think psychosis is just one massive, total projection, where there isn't even a shred of reason left to pull a person back to the real world.

Some wise folks say what irritates us most about others is actually just a reflection of what we hide within ourselves. I knew this one guy who couldn't stand seeing overweight kids on TV because it triggered memories of his own childhood struggles with weight. I suppose the same logic applies to personality traits. Could this be classified as projection?

I'm on the same page here🙂 (referring to what Roger King4 said)

I also have a feeling that when Jesus spoke about removing the plank from your own eye, he was actually referring to a psychological projection.🙂

David Morales: I think that's definitely possible.

I suppose I agree with your assessment 👍

An interesting topic to dive into
Does it mean the world might actually be doing just fine when people start complaining that everything is falling apart and everyone’s lost their minds??
Maybe things are perfectly okay and we just can't see it... It seems like the older generation is always the first to moan about how much better things used to be back in the day...
Is it just a case of them misremembering the good old days, or was life truly better before??
I mean... it feels to me like people who are struggling through life tend to see everything in black, whereas those who are thriving... well, they see things a bit more, hmm, rose-colored...
Why am I asking this? Because I feel like people who are stuck or incapable often just throw up their hands and blame the state of the world, claiming "everything is broken" as an excuse... Their own internal sense of helplessness gets projected onto the world around them, making everything look hopeless...

Take the log out of your own eye first, then try facing yourself and actually living. In a broader sense, if you refuse to confront who you really are, you’ll never grasp the "truth" and you're just wandering aimlessly through life. Projection is one of those convenient escape hatches people use to run away from reality.

Projection is unconscious; it stems directly from the subconscious and everything we've repressed. Now, politicians? They attribute all sorts of things to their opponents, but they know damn well it isn't true—they're doing it for their own gain. Because of that, I don't think their little fabrications even qualify as projection.

In my view, there's a specific type of projection where a person hates certain traits in someone else, finds them disgusting, or accuses them of possessing qualities that the person actually holds themselves but has buried deep down and refuses to acknowledge. Then, in a wider sense, projection would be insisting that someone possesses traits they don't actually have at all, regardless of the facts, driven by a purely neurotic compulsion.
For example: Someone could be in a complete downward spiral due to childhood trauma, feeling like their entire life is a total wreck. Instead of facing the actual problem, they feel the need to justify that misery, so they project it onto the state of the country. They spend all day ranting about politics... claiming everyone else is to blame while maintaining this delusion that they are perfectly normal and healthy.

Roger King4 said:Take the log out of your own eye first, then try facing yourself and actually living. In a broader sense, if you refuse to confront who you really are, you’ll never grasp the "truth" and you're just wandering aimlessly through life. Projection is one of those convenient escape hatches people use to run away from reality.

Projection is unconscious; it stems directly from the subconscious and everything we've repressed. Now, politicians? They attribute all sorts of things to their opponents, but they know damn well it isn't true—they're doing it for their own gain. Because of that, I don't think their little fabrications even qualify as projection.

In my view, there's a specific type of projection where a person hates certain traits in someone else, finds them disgusting, or accuses them of possessing qualities that the person actually holds themselves but has buried deep down and refuses to acknowledge. Then, in a wider sense, projection would be insisting that someone possesses traits they don't actually have at all, regardless of the facts, driven by a purely neurotic compulsion.
For example: Someone could be in a complete downward spiral due to childhood trauma, feeling like their entire life is a total wreck. Instead of facing the actual problem, they feel the need to justify that misery, so they project it onto the state of the country. They spend all day ranting about politics... claiming everyone else is to blame while maintaining this delusion that they are perfectly normal and healthy.

Well, nobody ever actually said that.😉 I simply mentioned that politicians take this phenomenon, which is a universal human trait, and exploit it for manipulative purposes.

wiredcrane11 said:Well, nobody ever actually said that.😉 I simply mentioned that politicians take this phenomenon, which is a universal human trait, and exploit it for manipulative purposes.

This is especially prevalent in international relations. If you project certain traits onto other nations—say, labeling foreign groups as "terrorists"—you can convince a population that they have an external enemy. This effectively distracts them from what is happening domestically. It’s more accurate to say that politicians actively incite and weaponize these mass projections.
Mass projection is a fascinating subject. Take World War II, for instance, and how the Nazis projected their own darkness onto Jewish people. You can clearly see the unrecognized Jungian shadow at work there. Ultimately, that shadow manifested by striking back at the Nazis through the literal destruction of their walls—a classic example of paranoid projection, executed on a massive and catastrophic scale that is difficult to fully comprehend.😲

Fair enough, that was my bad🙂