NEUTRALIZING NARCISSISM

The Art of Projection: How Narcissists Deflect Responsibility

Understanding the mind games of those who manipulate through blame shifting

In this article, we’ll delve into the manipulative tactic of projection, a common tool used by narcissists to deflect responsibility for their actions and make others feel guilty or ashamed. Photo by Slim Emcee on Unsplash.

Have you ever been in a situation where someone else’s words or actions left you feeling guilty or ashamed, even though you knew you weren’t at fault? Chances are, you’ve been on the receiving end of projection.

It is a common tactic for narcissists to use projection as a way to deflect responsibility for their own actions or to manipulate others. By projecting their own negative traits or behavior onto someone else, they are able to shift the focus away from themselves and onto the other person. This can be a powerful tool for the narcissist, as it allows them to avoid accountability and control the narrative in a situation.

One of the most common forms of projection is accusing others of the very things that the narcissist is guilty of themselves. For example, a narcissist may accuse their partner of being unfaithful, when in reality they are the ones who are having an affair. This is a classic example of projection and is often used as a way to deflect blame and manipulate the other person into feeling guilty or ashamed.