Fear of a trait alone can produce projection of that trait

Evidence

It should be noted that an undesired trait does not even have to be “possessed” in any way by the person projecting it; it is enough to simply fear the trait and/or be motivated not to be characterized by it. — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 2355

Categorization

• QUESTION: This is counterintuitive — projection doesn’t require having the trait at all, only fearing it. Worth chasing the epistemological implications: how does this recast classic psychoanalytic projection?
• XREF: connects to: Projection converts taboo inner impulses into perceived external enemies — Theodor W. Adorno, Max Horkheimer, Dialectic of Enlightenment, 152