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Projection and Projective Tests
Projection is a defense mechanism in which one ascribes the undesirable cognitions or emotions experienced by oneself to another person. For example, an unfaithful husband may constantly badger his wife with accusations related to her fidelity. Projective tests are open-ended assessment techniques in which a subject is presented with neutral or ambiguous stimuli and asked to respond. The subject's reply is analyzed as a projection. Projective measures include having the subject draw (traditionally a person or object), complete unfinished sentences, describe what is seen in an ink blot, or tell a comprehensive story while viewing a picture.