Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT) Practice Exam

What ego defense mechanism involves attributing one’s own desires to others?

1. Projection

2. Assimilation

3. Dissociation

4. Rationalization

The correct answer is: Projection

The concept being referred to is known as projection, which is a psychological defense mechanism. When someone uses projection, they unconsciously attribute their own thoughts, feelings, or desires to another person. This often occurs because the individual may feel uncomfortable acknowledging these feelings in themselves, so they "project" them onto others as a way to avoid facing their own emotions or internal conflicts. For instance, if someone is feeling jealous but does not want to confront this feeling, they might accuse others of being jealous or of having ulterior motives. This mechanism serves to protect the individual from anxiety or a negative self-image by allowing them to externalize their uncomfortable feelings. Projection can play a significant role in interpersonal relationships, as it can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts when people misattribute intentions or emotions to others. In contrast, the other options—assimilation, dissociation, and rationalization—refer to different mechanisms that do not specifically involve the act of attributing one's own feelings to others. Assimilation relates to incorporating new information into existing cognitive frameworks. Dissociation involves a disconnection from reality or one's thoughts and feelings, often as a response to trauma. Rationalization is the process of explaining away behavior or decisions with logical reasoning, even if it involves self-deception