Effects of Projective Identification on Therapists and Groupmates
- 1 March 1992
- journal article
- other
- Published by SAGE Publications in Group Analysis
- Vol. 25 (1) , 15-18
- https://doi.org/10.1177/0533316492251003
Abstract
Projective identification (PI) is both an intrapsychic defence mechanism (Klein, 1946) and a vehicle for interpersonal communication (Bion, 1962). As a defence, PI can be used by the anxious self (after splitting and projection) to protect itselffrom annihilation fears through fantasies of entering the objects and omnipotently controlling them. Klein labelled this aspect of PI as an intrusive identification fantasy of defence which also elaborates wishes to get rid of, to evacuate, unacceptable mental contents onto objects. A group's scapegoating of a member is a similar device.Keywords
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