Projection is a psychic mechanism. In therapy, we are interested in it as a way of breaking contact with the environment, which prevents us from building harmonious interaction and lasting relationships. What are the types of projection?
Projections in life
Learning to understand projections in life, a person gets interesting angles of view. He is less worried about the assessments of others. At the same time, contact with these others is improved. Partly because a person himself reduces the number of his projections, learning to recognize them, partly because he learns to see the content of other people's projections.
The behavior of others becomes more voluminous and embossed for him. He gets the opportunity to make more guesses about others and better understand them. For example, having suspected the projection of catharsis in someone from the environment, one can make the assumption that what is projected is inherent, but rejected by the person himself. Of course, this is not a 100% guarantee, but still, this is information that you can try to take into account when interacting with a person.
Projection provides a lot of material for a good study of awareness and acceptance of some of its parts. A person who has managed to define a projection in himself and has some skills will be able to benefit from this.
Projections are often one of the mechanisms supporting self-doubt, fear of evaluation, and low self-esteem.
A large variety of projections are distinguished. The essence of all of them is the same - bringing something internal to the outside and perceiving it as external. But there are certain patterns of how you can do this. And these templates are separated into types. I will consider the most, in my opinion, frequent and spectacular.
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Catharsis projection
This is the brightest type of projection. “I don’t like in others what I don’t like in myself” - this proverb is about the projection of catharsis.
Catharsis is a process of release, relief. It is directed from the inside out.
Catharsis projection is when "It is difficult for me to accept something in myself, but it requires my attention and therefore appears in the environment."
For example, it is difficult for me to admit my laziness, so I am sure that everyone around me is extremely lazy.
Mirror projection
Also a common type of projection. This is when I judge by myself and based on my personal past experience. I look at my past and think like "If it was like that this time, it will be the same this time," although it may not be so. Also, projections are classified as mirrored, the content of which a person would like to possess. Let's say he would like to be more honest and fantasizes about the infinite honesty of others.
Often those qualities and parts of oneself that are accepted by a person are subjected to mirror projection. Otherwise, the person realizes their lack.
“I wear glasses and consider myself smart. I see the glasses on you, so you are smart too."
“I know that I am always drawn to the left. Therefore, you are always drawn to the left. And if you disagree with me, then you just play."
“You master everything easily, it is easy for you to speak. (In a situation where nothing indicates that a person easily masters something. That is, a judgment has nothing to do with a person, but is only a fantasy).
Additional projection
This is a very elegant, in my opinion, type of projection, which amuses me personally.
This is when "I see in the environment that will make my behavior adequate."
“You want to intimidate me,” says the person who is afraid. Although no one intimidates him and did not even intend to, it is just that initially fear is already there.
"You are flirting with me and want to seduce me, whore." Although this may not be the case at all, it is primarily arousal and sexual interest that are rejected and disguised as an adequate response to "seduction".
Other types of projections
Many other types of projections are distinguished depending on the paradigm or meticulousness. For example, a positive projection (this is a cross between a mirror and catharsis. When I project those qualities that I assess as positive, but I cannot assign to myself). But all these are already special cases.
The role of projections in therapy
In therapy, projections are often nurtured by the therapist himself in order to gain simple and clear access to the client's unconscious. After all, the content of the projection is always unconscious and somehow rejected. But at the same time, for sure, it is part of the personality of the client himself. So by provoking a projection, you can get data to work easily and quickly.
There are many techniques that stimulate projection. This is the whole arsenal of art therapy methods, all sorts of drawings, sculpture, photography, choice of cards, associative cards, spectrocards and the like. Sandy, fairy-tale therapy is based on projection. Directional meditation is also a variant of directed projection.
The projections can be seen especially clearly in the therapeutic groups. Participants begin to project onto each other and onto the therapist. This is almost inevitable. The study of these projections can be useful for all participants in the process.