How to Apply the Concept of Projection to Daily Life

We all know what projection means in terms of movie theaters and probably in terms of trying to predict the future. But projection is also a common term in psychology. Here's a decent definition of projection as it relates to psychology: "the attribution of one's own attitudes, feelings or suppositions to others." In other words, you locate or attempt to locate attributes of your own self in other people. Here is how to apply projection in your daily life.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Recognize your tendencies to project. Perhaps a woman who has big feet (or thinks she does) looks at the feet of other women a lot and criticizes them. When we've found areas in which we project, this can lead us to an understanding of things about ourselves.
2. Recognize projection in other individuals. The paradox here is that one could project one's own tendency to project onto others. Arguably the most noble application of recognizing projection in others is being able to treat them with more compassionate understanding.
3. Recognize "group projection." Possibly more dangerous than a single powerful leader's projections are those shared in by large groups. Of course, with groups, you might have a few people who know what they're doing, and then the rest of the herd following somewhat naively because it serves a psychological function for them.
4. Recognize that not all attribution is purely fallacious projection. Very often there may be good reason for criticizing some action or aspects of persons. For instance, just because a person confronts you about an addiction doesn't mean that they're projecting their own addiction and you're not an addict. They could simply be concerned about you.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice trying to discover your own projections or at least things that you may fixate on in others.
• Soon you will find yourself being able to recognize instances of possible projection around you, from close relationships to figures in the news.
• Don't go overboard on "the projection thing." Recognize it as one tool of psychological, social or political analysis, not a blanket cure-all or explain-all.