We all project onto other people. People project feelings, ideas, thoughts, beliefs, and standards onto others. Projections cause confusion in relationships.

How do we recognize other people’s projections onto us? How do we talk with others about their projections? How do we recognize our own projections onto others?

Projections are not conscious. We are unaware of them. They are characteristics of one person that get attributed to another person. Britannica.com defines psychological projections as “the mental process by which people attribute to others what is in their own minds.”

The American Psychological Association says projection is “the process by which one attributes one’s own individual positive or negative characteristics, affects, and impulses to another person or group.” (dictionary.apa.org)

Many people accept others' projections as true depictions of themselves, when they are not. This can lead to unnecessary suffering with befuddlement, remorse, guilt, frustration and anger by the person accepting someone else’s projected emotions, beliefs, or ideas.

Preface a discussion with information about projecting. Explain to others that we all project and you’d like to grasp their viewpoint. Speak up and ask questions of the other person. This helps clarify which person the idea or feeling........

© Psychology Today