Relegating blame for one's shortcomings to others is referred to as which defense mechanism?

The concept of blaming others for one's own shortcomings is associated with the defense mechanism known as projection. This psychological strategy involves attributing feelings, thoughts, or motivations that one finds unacceptable in oneself onto other individuals. By projecting these characteristics onto others, individuals can avoid confronting their own issues or insecurities.

Projection helps to maintain self-esteem and a positive self-image by shifting responsibility and guilt away from oneself. For example, a person who struggles with feelings of inadequacy might accuse others of being inadequate, thus deflecting attention from their own feelings of inferiority. This creates a psychological buffer against inner conflict and discomfort related to those feelings.

While the other defense mechanisms listed serve different psychological purposes, they do not specifically encompass the act of placing one's own faults or feelings onto others as effectively as projection does.