Emotion is the primary driver of our actions, so it is useful to explore common patterns of behaviour that emotions are wrapped up in. Projection is a typical human behaviour pattern. It is a term associated with Sigmund Freud, father of psychoanalysis and enduring Cultural Master of mass acceptance of his version of the dynamics of the psyche. The lasting appeal of Freud is the simplistic defining of the psyche according to the lovely categorical binary of conscious and unconscious.
Projection is the process of seeing a quality or behaviour in another person that is an aspect of one’s own psyche and behavioural repertoire but is denied as existing in oneself. Denial is contingent upon the judgement of the emotion or behaviour being unacceptable. The emotional spectrum is typically bound by guilt, shame, and pain derivatives such as engulfment and losing control. Such feelings remain unconscious through projection which provides a way of engaging with them in what may be felt as a safe distance. This sometimes provides the time for an individual to come to terms with emotions and behaviours that are uncomfortable or considered abhorrent. Often, however, it merely provides a way of denying what is deemed unacceptable within oneself.
Humans’ propensity for projection are well documented across various spectrums of emotions and behaviours. One example commonly cited is the anti-homophobic person that in research trials exhibits greater arousal for same-sex persons than those not placed in the homophobic camp. What an incredible masquerade the mind is capable of through the twin process of denial and projection.
Projection as a feature of the human psyche and behavioural system shows how complex and convoluted the human animal is. Can you imagine a cat denying the feeling of wanting to capture, kill, and eat a bird? Then the cat projects that trait on to another cat and defines it as horrific, while ready to pounce upon a bird themself. Meow!
Projection is not however, a phenomenon exclusive to Freud’s understanding of humans, for Jesus also called people out on this trait. In Matthew 7:3 Jesus states: Why do you see the spec that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? And there is the proof in the words of JC that we people have been playing out the same messed up traits for centuries.
Think you are exempt from this trait? Next time you get twisted up over someone else’s behaviour stop the inner voice or outer voice that is talking the problem into existence. Then dig into yourself with courage and look for similar behaviours, and you just may find a trait you never knew you had. Thus, the moral of this rant is that the mind can play a lot of tricks, so beware of what you think is an awful trait in another person. It may be one of your own character traits that is hidden by the dark crevice of denial in your own mind.