Projective identification

Projective identification is a psychological process where someone unconsciously attributes their own unwanted feelings or traits onto another person. The individual may also subtly induce the other person to behave in ways that confirm these projections. For example, a person feeling insecure might behave in a way that causes others to see them as anxious or difficult, which then reinforces their original feelings. It’s a complex interaction involving both projection and influence on the other’s behavior, often happening below conscious awareness, and it can affect relationships and understanding between people.