What is the term for the defense mechanism where an individual attributes their own actions or feelings to someone else?

The term describing the defense mechanism where an individual attributes their own actions or feelings to someone else is known as projection. This psychological process allows individuals to avoid facing uncomfortable feelings or thoughts by projecting them onto others. For instance, if someone feels angry but is unable to acknowledge this emotion, they might accuse others of being angry instead. This mechanism can serve to protect the individual's self-esteem and alleviate emotional distress by externalizing internal conflicts.

Repression involves unconsciously blocking out painful or uncomfortable thoughts and feelings, while denial is the refusal to accept reality or facts, presenting a distorted view of the situation. Displacement occurs when emotions are redirected from the original source of the distress to a safer target. Each of these defense mechanisms operates differently, but projection specifically emphasizes the externalization of one's own feelings or traits, making it distinct from the others.