Which defense mechanism involves attributing one's own unacceptable impulses to other people?

• A. Projection
• B. Introjection
• C. Identification
• D. Denial

Answer: (A)

Projection is a defense mechanism in which a person attributes their own unacceptable thoughts, feelings, or impulses to someone else. This helps reduce anxiety by letting them see the other person as the source of the problem rather than facing those uncomfortable inner experiences. For example, someone who feels anger they don’t want to admit might claim that another person is the one who is angry and hostile toward them. This contrasts with introjection, where a person internalizes others’ beliefs or attributes as part of themselves; identification, where they adopt traits of someone they admire; and denial, where they refuse to accept reality. Because the situation involves shifting one's own unacceptable impulses onto another person, projection fits best.