Projection converts taboo inner impulses into perceived external enemies

Evidence

The psychoanalytical theory of morbid projection views it as consisting of the transference of socially taboo impulses from the subject to the object. Under the pressure of the super-ego, the ego projects the aggressive wishes which originate from the id (and are so intense as to be dangerous even to the id), as evil intentions onto the outside world, and manages to work them out as abreaction on the outside world; either in fantasy by identification with the supposed evil, or in reality by supposed self-defense. … The delusion of reference strikes out all around without any true reference. Pathological projection is a desperate effort of the ego whose stimulus barrier—according to Freud—is much weaker inwardly than outwardly. Under the pressure of pent-up homosexual aggression, the mental mechanism forgets its most recent phylogenetic achievement, self-perception, and experiences this aggression as the enemy in the world in order to be more equal to it. — Theodor W. Adorno, Max Horkheimer, Dialectic of Enlightenment, 152

Categorization

• DEFINE: Defines morbid projection as a mechanism — the psychoanalytic core linking taboo impulses to perceived enemies.
• XREF: Connects to Burns’s later invocation of Adorno and to Freudian theory generally in the critical-theory tradition. — connects to: Projection both enables and rationalizes the direct expression of repressed impulses — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 552; Projection lets prejudiced people condemn in outgroups the traits they secretly possess — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice: Fifty Years…, 2345; Suppressing unwanted thoughts ironically increases their accessibility and causes projection onto others. — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 2355 (+5 more)

Broader Connections

• Projection lets prejudiced people condemn in outgroups the traits they secretly possess #corroborates (0.88) — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 2345
• Projection both enables and rationalizes the direct expression of repressed impulses #expands (0.85) — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 552
• Dehumanizing the victim precedes atrocity through ‘pathic projection’ of the perpetrator’s own image #corroborates (0.85) — Theodor W. Adorno, Minima Moralia, 119
• Scapegoat beliefs reveal the perceiver’s faults or fears more than the target’s traits #corroborates (0.82) — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 1565
• Suppressing unwanted thoughts ironically increases their accessibility and causes projection onto others. #expands (0.80) — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 2355
• Suppressing unwanted traits causes people to project them onto others, relieving their own discomfort #corroborates (0.80)
• Fear of a trait alone can produce projection of that trait #expands (0.78) — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 2355