Which defense mechanism allows us to attribute to another what you are actually experiencing?

• A. Denial
• B. Repression
• C. Sublimation
• D. Projection

Answer: (D)

Projection is a defense mechanism in which you unconsciously attribute your own uncomfortable thoughts, feelings, or motives to someone else. It helps you avoid facing what you actually feel by seeing it in others rather than in yourself. For example, if you’re feeling insecure about your abilities, you might accuse a coworker of being incompetent. This contrasts with denial, which is refusing to accept reality; repression, which pushes distressing thoughts out of conscious awareness; and sublimation, which redirects impulses into more acceptable channels. Because the question describes attributing your own experience to another person, projection is the best fit.