Placing your own feelings onto another person is an example of which of the following defensive behaviors?

Projection is a psychological defense mechanism where an individual attributes their own thoughts, feelings, or motives to another person. When someone places their own emotions onto others, they are essentially projecting their internal experiences onto someone else, assuming that the other person feels or thinks the same way. This can often result in misunderstandings in communication and can impact relationships significantly, as the individual may misinterpret the other person's feelings or intentions based on their own projections.

For instance, if someone is feeling angry and begins to accuse others of being angry without any evidence, they are projecting their own feelings. This behavior serves as a defense mechanism to avoid confronting their own emotions directly, allowing them to externalize those feelings instead.

In contrast, denial involves refusing to accept reality or facts, rationalization involves justifying behaviors or feelings with logical reasons, and regression refers to reverting to behaviors characteristic of an earlier stage of development during times of stress. The unique aspect of projection is the focus on attributing one's own emotions to others, making it distinct from these other defensive behaviors.