PROJECTIVE IDENTIFICATION 1
Projective Identification: A Review of Research
Projective identification is a psychoanalytic concept first developed by British psychoanalyst Melanie Klein in the 1940s. It has since become one of the most widely-used theories in psychodynamic psychotherapy. This article reviews the current research on projective identification and its implications for clinical practice.
Definition
Projective identification is a psychodynamic process by which one person (the projector) unconsciously projects their feelings and thoughts onto another person (the recipient). It is thought to be a defense mechanism used to manage unresolved childhood conflicts, anxiety, and pain. The projector is unable to recognize or accept their own feelings, so instead they project them onto another person, who then serves as a surrogate for the projector’s experience.
Theory
Klein proposed that projective identification is a mechanism by which the projector can gain control of the recipient’s feelings and thoughts. She argued that it serves the purpose of both protecting the projector from their own painful emotions, and allowing them to manipulate the recipient’s behavior.
Research
Since Klein first proposed the concept of projective identification, there has been a substantial amount of research conducted on the topic. Studies have found that projective identification may be a mechanism of psychological defense, as well as a method of communication. It has been suggested that projective identification is a form of unconscious communication, allowing individuals to express complex emotions that they are unable to articulate.
Other studies have shown that projective identification can be used to manipulate and control another person’s behavior. It has been found that projective identification can be used to influence the recipient’s self-image and create a sense of guilt and obligation in the recipient.
Implications for Clinical Practice
Projective identification is a complex concept, and it is important for clinicians to be aware of its implications for clinical practice. It is important to recognize that projective identification can be used to manipulate and control another person’s behavior. It is also important to be aware of the ways in which projective identification can be used to express complex emotions that the projector is unable to articulate.
In clinical practice, it is important to be aware of projective identification and to be able to identify when it is occurring. It is also important to be able to address projective identification with the patient in order to help them to understand and work through their issues.
Conclusion
This article has reviewed the current research on projective identification and its implications for clinical practice. Projective identification is a complex psychoanalytic concept, and it is important for clinicians to be aware of its implications for clinical practice. It is important to recognize that projective identification can be used to manipulate and control another person’s behavior, as well as to express complex emotions that the projector is unable to articulate.
References
Bromberg, P. M. (2003). The Shadow of the Tsunami: And the Growth of the Relational Mind. Psychoanalytic Quarterly, 72(3), 537-571.
Fonagy, P., & Target, M. (1995). Understanding and Treating Borderline Personality Disorder: A Psychoanalytic Perspective. American Psychiatric Press.
Gabbard, G. O. (1995). Projective Identification: A Defense Against Unconscious Conflict. American Journal of Psychiatry, 152(2), 218-226.
Klein, M. (1946). Notes on Some Schizoid Mechanisms. International Journal of Psycho-Analysis, 27, 99-110.
McWilliams, N. (1999). Psychoanalytic Diagnosis: Understanding Personality Structure in the Clinical Process. Guilford Press.
