Which defense mechanism involves attributing one's own threatening impulses to others?

The correct answer is projection, which is a defense mechanism where individuals attribute their own unacceptable thoughts, feelings, or impulses to someone else. This mechanism serves as a way to protect oneself from the anxiety or discomfort of confronting those negative aspects of their own personality. For example, if someone feels a strong sense of anger but struggles to accept that feeling, they might accuse others of being angry or hostile instead. This allows them to avoid dealing with their own feelings while still expressing them indirectly.

Understanding projection is essential in counseling, as it can help professionals recognize when clients might be deflecting their internal struggles onto others, which can be an important part of the therapeutic conversation. By identifying projection, counselors can facilitate a deeper exploration of clients' feelings and encourage more self-awareness and acceptance of their own emotions.