Which defense mechanism is at work when an individual projects their insecurities onto others?

The concept of projection as a defense mechanism is integral to understanding how individuals cope with their own insecurities or undesirable traits. When someone uses projection, they attribute their own feelings, thoughts, or characteristics to another person. For example, an individual who feels insecure about their own abilities might accuse others of being incompetent or inadequate. This allows the person to externalize their discomfort and avoid confronting their own feelings.

This mechanism serves as a way to maintain a positive self-image by placing the focus externally rather than acknowledging internal issues. It can manifest in various situations, such as relationships or work environments, where the individual feels threatened by their own shortcomings and, as a result, projects these insecurities onto others.

The alternatives, such as denial or repression, reflect different processes of handling uncomfortable realities but do not involve the outward attribution of one's internal conflicts. Reaction formation, on the other hand, involves expressing the opposite of one’s true feelings. In contrast, projection specifically involves misattributing one's insecurities to others, affirming that it is the correct answer in this case.