Projection : a psychotic and immature defense mechanism

Projection is a powerful psychological defense mechanism, one that allows us to externalize internal conflicts we cannot yet acknowledge. At its core, projection involves perceiving and reacting to unacceptable inner impulses or emotions as if they originated from the external world rather than from within the self.

Projection on a Psychotic Level: A Break from Reality

At the most severe end of the spectrum, projection operates on a psychotic level. Here, internal feelings—often unacceptable, distressing, or guilt-laden—are experienced not as internal, but as part of external reality. This manifests in delusions, often of a persecutory nature. For example, a person might genuinely believe they are being followed, judged, or conspired against, not realizing that these beliefs are externalized expressions of their own aggressive impulses or harsh inner criticisms.

In such cases, both personal feelings and projected feelings attributed to others may be experienced as concrete and real. This can result in hallucinations, such as hearing voices that criticize or condemn—essentially the superego’s recriminations experienced as external sounds.

The person may then react to these delusions, reinforcing the belief that the danger or judgment truly exists outside of them. The internal world becomes misinterpreted as external threat.

Projection on a Nonpsychotic Level: Everyday Shadows

On a nonpsychotic level, projection is more subtle but still significantly shapes how we relate to others. It involves attributing one’s own unacknowledged emotions, desires, or thoughts to someone else. For instance, a person who harbors feelings of anger or envy but cannot tolerate them might accuse others of being hostile or jealous.

This form of projection underlies many interpersonal difficulties. It may show up as:

• Chronic suspiciousness in relationships
• Hypervigilance to threats that aren’t actually there
• Rejection of intimacy due to mistrust
• Injustice collecting—a persistent tallying of perceived wrongs by others

The Inner Mirror: Projection and Introjection

Projection does not exist in isolation—it is intimately connected to introjection, the process of internalizing aspects of others, particularly caregivers or authority figures. The content of our projections often arises from these unconscious internalized configurations, or introjects. In other words, we project outward what we have taken in but cannot consciously own.

For example, someone raised by a highly critical parent may internalize that voice as their own inner critic (introjection), but later in life, they may perceive others as judgmental or hostile—even when they are not—because they project that critical voice outward.

Higher-Level Projection: Everyday Misreadings

At higher levels of psychological functioning, projection becomes more nuanced. It may not involve delusions or intense mistrust, but instead looks like:

• Misattributing motives (“She only helped me to look good, not because she cares.”)
• Misinterpreting intentions (“He didn’t reply to my message because he’s angry at me.”)
• Reading negative emotions into neutral actions

While these forms of projection are more socially acceptable or even common, they still reflect a difficulty in accurately perceiving one’s own inner world and distinguishing it from reality.

Final Thoughts: Toward Insight and Integration

Projection serves a purpose—it protects us from emotions or thoughts we’re not ready to face. But when overused or left unchecked, it distorts reality, damages relationships, and impedes emotional growth. Cultivating self-awareness, engaging in reflective practices, and, where appropriate, psychotherapy, can help us reclaim these disowned parts of ourselves and integrate them into our conscious experience.

When we begin to see that what disturbs us “out there” may actually reflect something unresolved “in here,” we take the first step toward deeper emotional clarity and interpersonal connection.