RETROJECTION Meaning and
Definition
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Retrojection refers to the psychological or cognitive process by which an individual projects their current thoughts, feelings, or experiences onto past events or situations, often unconsciously, altering their memory or perception of those events. This mechanism of retrojection can create a distortion of the past, making it fall in line with an individual's present state.
In this process, individuals might project their current beliefs, biases, or emotions onto past events, influencing their recollection and interpretation of those events. It can involve attributing past motivations, intentions, or emotions that were not necessarily present at the time. For example, someone who is currently feeling guilty might retroject this guilt onto memories of their past actions, making them appear more morally ambiguous than they actually were.
This concept of retrojection is often studied in psychology, particularly within the field of memory and perception. Researchers examine how individuals reconstruct their memories through the lens of their present experiences or beliefs. Retrojection can have both positive and negative implications, allowing individuals to make sense of the past in light of their current understanding, but also potentially distorting historical accuracy.
Furthermore, retrojection can also be observed in cultural contexts, where the present popular trends or aesthetic styles are projected onto the past, creating a nostalgic sense of the past. This retroactive reinterpretation of the past can shape the way society perceives certain historical eras or phenomena, influencing collective memory and understanding.
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The washing out of a cavity by the backward flow of an injected fluid.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for RETROJECTION
- retrojecthon
- retrojectign
- retrojectimn
- retrojectinn
- retrojectiof
- retrojectiol
- retrojectioo
- r etrojection
- re trojection
- ret rojection
- retr ojection
- retro jection
- retroj ection
- retroje ction
- retrojec tion
- retroject ion
- retrojecti on
- retrojectio n
Etymology of RETROJECTION
The word "retrojection" is a combination of two main elements: "retro-" and "-jection".
The prefix "retro-" comes from the Latin word "retro", meaning "backward" or "behind". This prefix is commonly used in English to indicate a backward or retrospective movement or action.
The second element, "-jection", derives from the Latin word "jectio", meaning "a throwing" or "a projection". In English, "-jection" is often used as a suffix to denote an act or process of throwing or projecting something.
Therefore, when combined, "retrojection" refers to the act or process of projecting something in a backward or retrospective manner. In certain contexts, the term can specifically refer to the psychological concept of projecting past events or experiences onto the present or future.
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