in psychology, what is the reason for 'projection'? why might someone use it?

Question

extra credit: do you think 'projection' is a legitimate response to real or perceived threat?

Answer 1

I work in a mental health setting with "at-risk" youth and we talk a lot about projection. It is a protection for the person experiencing it because they don't have to own up to ways they behave badly. They can point their finger at others which
A) takes focus off of them
B) makes them feel better by comparing themselves to others.

I definitely think projection is a legitimate response for the above reason.

Answer 2

I believe that projection is an attempt to anticipate possible future occurrence of a threat, an outcome, a loss or a gain, etc... Therefore, it serves as a defense mechanism.

However, I think projection is not a legitimate response to real or perceived threat, especially when an action has been already executed even before the perceived threat has been proven, unless supported by or submitted along with concrete evidences that resulted to the projection.

Answer 3

I think so. If I'm going to be projected from my chair and I was there first then a big fat girl comes by to push me out then you bet I would probally perceive fear before she got to me. Because she knows what I did to her. So she may get me for it right? Oh that's eject. I'm sorry.lol

Answer 4

A behavioral psychologist will present an answer that is generated by "thinking about" what he/she thinks projection might be... which tells us little of what projection is.

Projection is what ones MIND does to protect one from becoming aware of what ones MIND is repressing within itself. The "reason" for projection is twofold, depending upon its usage. When some repressed trauma within the MIND is stimulated, the MIND converts the energy generated by this stimulation into thoughts which are then "projected" as blame, fault-finding, or accusations directed against people, places, and things outside the person.

The process is: simulation; repression; denial; conversion; projection; and then thoughts fed to the persons brain in support of the entire process.

Projection in the case of a threat that is known is more a case of substitution, wherein the MIND, takes the energy of a stimulated fear within itself, and represses this while converting the energy into thoughts and actions which are then projected or acted out. The question of this being a "legitimate" response calls for a judgment, does it not? We can say that the response is a natural one for the MIND.... until one is able to remove that which is the cause of "fear" within ones MIND via effective Esotransmutation [ a means by which repressed taumata within the MIND can be eliminated].

Answer 5

I think fear and boredom are the reasons for projection. Lack of self-knowledge is one reason for projection. I think it can also happen when a person with self knowledge encounters a person who has less self knowledge. For example, it is possible to project a theory about a person visually onto their image, as with dreaming except you are awake and it seems true because the object (and the subject) of the perception is lacking the knowledge about whether the theory would be accurate or not. Also, the object can be in denial and so it seems like the observer is projecting. Another example is if there is logical reason to think something is true then it can seem true, even if there is only perceived evidence

Sorry for being kind of scattered . .. hope this helps

Answer 6

Consult your psychology book

Answer 7

I do not think that it is an intentional act.
It could be a personality/mental defect brought on my inherited chemical imbalance.
I think that the projectionist realizes it only when brought to his attention.
Extra Credit:
No.................that would have to be the insanity plea and not a defense to assault and battery.

Answer 8

It is a defense mechanism. People use it to "project" their feelings onto someone else, when they aren't comfortable admitting that the root of the problem really lies in them. For example, a mother might say, "You kids look tired, so why don't you go to bed" when what she is really feeling is, "I am too tired to deal with my kids and just want them to go to bed."
I hope this helps.