Introjection - Relational Mechanisms

Relational Mechanisms

In Freudian terms, introjection is the aspect of the ego's system of relational mechanisms which handles checks and balances from a perspective external to what one normally considers 'oneself', infolding these inputs into the internal world of the self-definitions, where they can be weighed and balanced against one's various senses of externality. For example:

• "When a child envelops representational images of his absent parents into himself, simultaneously fusing them with his own personality."
• "Individuals with weak ego boundaries are more prone to use introjection as a defense mechanism."
  

According to D. W. Winnicott "projection and introjection mechanisms... let the other person be the manager sometimes, and to hand over omnipotence."