As in projection, the individual deals with emotional
conflict or internal or
external stressors by falsely attributing to another his or her own unacceptable
feelings, impulses, or thoughts. Unlike simple projection, the individual does
not fully disavow what is projected. Instead, the individual remains aware of
his or her own affects or impulses but misattributes them as justifiable
reactions to the other person. Not infrequently, the individual induces the very
feelings in others that were first mistakenly believed to be there, making it
difficult to clarify who did what to whom first.
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