Introjection: why do we adopt the habits and thinking of other people

Introjection is a mechanism by which a person unconsciously absorbs the ideas, feelings, or beliefs of others, making them part of their personality. It is important for normal psychological development. For example, children naturally adopt the values and rules of their parents as they grow up.

By doing so, they form their conscience and learn how to behave in society. In healthy forms, introjection helps people learn from others and feel included in society. Understanding this phenomenon provides insight into how external relationships and experiences become part of our inner world and influence our thoughts, feelings, and actions.

What is introjection

Introjection is an unconscious process. We don’t usually think: “I will accept my mother’s conviction as my own.” Instead, the mind automatically absorbs certain attitudes and emotions from important people or situations. There are two types of introjection — let’s look at each in more detail.

Positive introjection

Positive introjections can be considered those that benefit their owner. These include self-love, encouragement, and healthy values that promote confidence, moral development, and emotional stability. For example, a child whose parents openly express their affection and love learns the following belief: “I deserve the best and am capable of much.” This positive inner voice can boost his self-confidence and resilience as he ages.

Similarly, mentors or cultural heroes can teach good values such as honesty, kindness, or a strong work ethic. Visit. A F R I N I K . C O M . For the full article. These values help form a well-adjusted, socially aware person. From a developmental perspective, positive introjection promotes a healthy conscience and identity. A person feels confident in these internal principles that constructively guide their behavior.

Negative introjection

This form of introjection involves accepting harmful or critical messages, fears, and negative beliefs. It often arises from painful experiences or relationships. For example, if a caregiver usually says, “You’re bad” or “You’ll never succeed,” a child can internalize this negative, growing up with a sincere belief that he’s worthless or developing a harsh inner critic that echoes the caregiver’s voice.

Negative introjection can also arise from trauma: a person who has been abused may unconsciously accept their abuser’s point of view, believing that the world is hostile or that they deserve to be mistreated. As a person develops, these negative introjections prevent them from developing adequate self-esteem and growing emotionally.

What is the benefit of introjection?

By adopting the norms and values of our family or community, we learn to fit into society. It is also a key part of the formation of consciousness: young children accept the instructions of their parents and teachers about what is good and what is evil. Over time, these lessons become an internal moral compass. It is equally important that through introjection, we learn to adapt and recall examples of other people’s actions to solve our problems.

Introjection can provide psychological tools or scenarios we borrow from others to help us navigate life. Another factor that suggests that introjection is useful is that it helps shape personality. By adopting the traits of role models, such as the hero’s bravery or the teacher’s curiosity, we gradually make them our own, which is reflected in our worldview, character, and actions.

What are the disadvantages of the introjection?

The disadvantage of introjection is the risk of losing oneself to the voices of others, especially if those voices are destructive. This can compromise authenticity, well-being, and flexibility. When our inner beliefs are secondary and unexplored, we can carry a burden that did not belong to us in the first place. It is important to recognize negative introjections because we can only begin to challenge them and regain a healthier sense of self. One of the most common negative introjects is a harsh, critical voice. He says that you are not good enough, reproducing the negativity that you could absorb from the comments of family and friends.

This inevitably affects your self-esteem and the way you look at the world. Often, negative introjections are the cause of internal conflict. This happens when they contradict your actual values and beliefs. Many people experience depression or stress because they live by the “can” and “can’t” adopted from others, which do not correspond to their actual needs.

Also, because we don’t criticize the beliefs we receive from others, they can interfere with personal growth. Because of them, we can strive for unattainable perfection, burning out at work and in our lives. It’s also difficult for us to maintain personal boundaries, defend our opinions, and participate in conflicts.

4 ways to deal with introjection that does not benefit

1. Take time to introspect

The first step is awareness. Take the time to notice your automatic thoughts, inner dialogue, and deep-rooted beliefs. Ask yourself: Whose voice does this remind you of, or why do I think that way? For example, if you often say to yourself the phrase “I can’t do anything right,” you may realize that this is similar to what your father used to say. By recognizing the source, you label a belief as an introjection, not an objective truth.

2. Challenge and rethink your beliefs

Question its accuracy and usefulness once you discover a potentially introjected negative belief. For example, when your mind tells you you will fail and be worthless, you can challenge it: “Who defined value in this way? Why can’t I afford to make mistakes, considering that they are completely normal and necessary for growth?” Then, you can reformulate this belief into a healthier one: “Sometimes, everyone fails, but that doesn’t define my worth.” Over time, actively challenging a belief learned from others weakens its power.

3. Fight the inner critic

To deal with the inner critic, imagine him as a separate character from you; you can even give him a name. Try to mentally talk to him as with another person, defending your position and expressing a point of view against his beliefs about you. Also, tell him how his criticism hurt you and why he’s wrong. This exercise will help you question your introjected beliefs, strengthen your voice, and be less likely to succumb to the annoying comments of a critic in your head.

4. Set emotional and cognitive boundaries

Be careful when adopting other people’s ideas and beliefs. For example, don’t think about whether you agree with the other person automatically during a conversation. Allow yourself to stop and reflect: “How do I feel about this?” As you improve your observation skills, you can capture the introjected thought right at the moment of its occurrence and say to yourself: “Oh, this is someone else’s voice speaking, not my own.”