Introjection

Introjection is a notion that stems from psychoanalytical theory and was widely used by Ferenczi and Freud to describe the unconscious incorporation of attributes, values, or behaviors of other people or external objects into the mental structure of the self, therefore fusing with a person’s personality. When introjection occurs, a mental representation of the object is created and integrated into the mind, which is called introject. Introjects are elements of exterior objects, internalized by the individual, that influences his actions.

For example: “My ex-husband was always criticizing everything around him. After many years, I noticed that I had changed: I had become very judgmental myself. His hypercriticism was one of my introjects. ”