introject

English

Etymology

Back-formation from introjection.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɪntɹə(ʊ)ˈd͡ʒɛkt/

Verb

introject (third-person singular simple present introjects, present participle introjecting, simple past and past participle introjected)

1. (psychology) To unconsciously incorporate into one's psyche.
   • 2014, Volker Meja, Nico Stehr, Knowledge and Politics:

     Sometimes the attempt was made to reduce the inner to the outer world (Condillac, Mach, Avenarius, materialism); sometimes the outer to the inner world (Descartes, Berkeley, Fichte); sometimes the sphere of the absolute to the others (e.g., by trying to infer causally the essence and existence of something divine in general); […] ; sometimes the general differentiation of subject and object to pregivenness of the co- or 'fellow-man', to whom an environmental element—as, for instance, 'this tree' — is supposed to be introjected, followed by subsequent introjection by the observer to himself (Avenarius); sometimes one's own body to a merely associative coordination of the self-perception of the own self and organ sensations with the own body as perceived from outside.

Translations

unconsciously incorporate into the psyche

• French: introjeter (fr)
• Italian: introiettare (it)

Noun

introject (plural introjects)

1. (psychology) An element of another person that is unconsciously incorporated into one's psyche.
   • 2003, Theodore Millon, Melvin J. Lerner, Irving B. Weiner, Handbook of Psychology, Personality and Social Psychology, page 123:

     When introjects are weak (or even absent), an anaclitic personality configuration results, characterized by dependency, insecurity, and feelings of helplessness and emptiness.

   • 2015, Janet S. Steinwedel, The Golden Key to Executive Coaching:

     Repetitious comments are other examples of introjects that we take on as if they were truths. These include: You're lazy; you're selfish; you'll never amount to anything; […]