Seeing Ourselves in Others: Freud, Jung, and the Nature of Projection

with Dr. Debra Merskin

• August 19 & 26, 2025

• Location: Virtual

• Source/ Event Link: Pacifica Graduate Institute

“In this presentation, Dr. Merskin explores Jung and Freud’s foundational theories of projection — a psychological defense mechanism where individuals attribute their own unconscious feelings, thoughts, or desires onto others. Drawing on her expertise in media, identity, and representation, Dr. Merskin delves into how Freud and Jung conceptualized projection as a crucial tool for understanding human behavior, relationships, and even broader cultural phenomena, including how enemies are constructed and how we view nature and animals.

Freud’s early work on projection within the context of psychoanalysis will be discussed. Freud viewed projection primarily as a means of ego defense, a way for individuals to manage unacceptable impulses or anxieties by externalizing them. This mechanism operates at a personal level—for example, when someone denies their own anger but accuses others of being hostile.

Building on this foundation, the presentation transitions to Jung’s more expansive interpretation. Jung agreed with Freud’s basic idea but saw projection as a personal coping tool and a vital component of the collective unconscious and personal development. Dr. Merskin illustrates how Jung saw projection as both a barrier and a guide to individuation: by recognizing and withdrawing projections, individuals could become more whole and self-aware.

Throughout the talk, these early 20th-century theories will be connected to contemporary issues, showing how projection plays out not only in therapy sessions but also in media representations, politics, and social identity formation. Examples from popular culture and current events reveal how projection underlies stereotypes, scapegoating, and other forms of “Othering.””