noun
projection
The attribution of one's own feelings or traits to someone else.
The counselor discusses projection as attributing one's feelings to another.
Etymology
The psychological sense uses the image of casting something outward. A person treats an internal feeling or trait as though it belongs to someone else.
More examples
- He recognized his accusation as projection.
- The essay examined psychological projection.
- She questioned whether projection explained the reaction.
Forms
projection
project verb — cast forward, display, or estimate
Similar words
- attribution
- Assigning a cause or trait without necessarily one's own feelings.
- displacement
- Redirects feelings toward another target rather than assigning them to others.