Projection vs. Reflection: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on October 2, 2023
Projection involves casting forth views or images, often involving future estimations; reflection involves contemplative consideration or the return of light, heat, or sound.
Key Differences
Projection and Reflection are two terms with different meanings and applications. Projection typically involves the process of throwing or casting forward, either physically, such as projecting a light or image onto a surface, or psychologically, where an individual attributes their own feelings or thoughts onto someone else. Reflection, on the other hand, refers to the act of throwing back, such as light, heat, or sound waves bouncing off a surface, or the contemplation and thoughtful consideration of past actions, events, or situations.
Projection can often be associated with future estimations or predictions. For example, in business or economics, a projection refers to an estimate of future trends, revenues, or profits based on current data and assumptions. Conversely, reflection is more oriented towards the past, involving retrospection or contemplation of past events, actions, or thoughts, allowing for learning and insight to occur. It represents a thoughtful examination that is essential for personal growth and development.
In psychological terms, projection refers to a defense mechanism where an individual attributes their own unacceptable thoughts, feelings, or motives to another person. It involves seeing one’s own traits in others, often unconsciously. On the other hand, reflection in psychological terms can involve introspection and self-examination, where an individual evaluates their own thoughts, feelings, and actions, fostering self-awareness and personal development.
In optics, projection and reflection have distinct meanings related to light and images. Projection involves casting an image, light, or shadow onto a surface. It is the presentation of an image on a surface, like in a cinema. Reflection, however, is the bouncing back of light, heat, or sound after hitting a surface. It is the reason we see images in a mirror, involving the return of light to our eyes.
Both projection and reflection have diverse applications, from psychology to physics. While they involve different processes, with projection being more about forwarding casting and reflection about bouncing back or thoughtful consideration, both terms are crucial in understanding human behavior and the physical world.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Definition
Casting forth of views, images, or predictions
Return of light, heat, or sound or contemplative consideration
Orientation
Typically involves future estimations or attributions
Involves consideration of the past or the return of waves
Application
In optics, psychology, and business predictions
In optics, acoustics, and thoughtful consideration of past actions
Representation
Represents a presentation of something on a surface or a psychological defense mechanism
Represents the bouncing back of waves or thoughtful contemplation
Example
Used in presenting images on a screen or estimating future trends
Used in viewing images in a mirror or evaluating past actions
ADVERTISEMENT
Projection and Reflection Definitions
Projection
A psychological defense mechanism where one attributes their feelings to others.
His anger is just a projection of his insecurity.
Reflection
Serious thought or contemplation.
His mistakes made him engage in deep reflection.
Projection
The act of projecting or the condition of being projected.
Reflection
The throwing back of light, heat, or sound by a body or surface.
The reflection in the water was crystal clear.
Projection
A thing or part that extends outward beyond a prevailing line or surface
Spiky projections on top of a fence.
A projection of land along the coast.
Reflection
The act of reflecting or the state of being reflected.
Projection
A plan for an anticipated course of action
“facilities [that] are vital to the projection of U.S. force ... in the Pacific” (Alan D. Romberg).
Reflection
Something, such as light, radiant heat, sound, or an image, that is reflected.
Projection
A prediction or estimate of something in the future, based on present data or trends.
Reflection
Serious thinking or careful consideration
Engaged in reflection on the problem.
Projection
The process of projecting an image onto a screen or other surface for viewing.
Reflection
A thought or an opinion resulting from such thinking or consideration
Wrote down her reflections.
Projection
An image so projected.
Reflection
An indirect expression of censure or discredit
A reflection on his integrity.
Projection
(Mathematics) The image of a geometric figure reproduced on a line, plane, or surface.
Reflection
A manifestation or result
Her achievements are a reflection of her courage.
Projection
A system of intersecting lines, such as the grid of a map, on which part or all of the globe or another spherical surface is represented as a plane surface.
Reflection
The folding of a membrane from the wall of a cavity over an organ and back to the wall.
Projection
(Psychology) The attribution of one's own attitudes, feelings, or suppositions to others, thought in psychoanalytic theory to be an unconscious defense against anxiety or guilt.
Reflection
The folds so made.
Projection
Something which projects, protrudes, juts out, sticks out, or stands out.
The face of the cliff had many projections that were big enough for birds to nest on.
Reflection
The act of reflecting or the state of being reflected.
Projection
The action of projecting or throwing or propelling something.
Reflection
The property of a propagated wave being thrown back from a surface (such as a mirror).
Projection
(archaic) The throwing of materials into a crucible, hence the transmutation of metals.
Reflection
Something, such as an image, that is reflected.
The dog barked at his own reflection in the mirror.
Projection
(archaic) The crisis or decisive point of any process, especially a culinary process.
Reflection
Careful thought or consideration.
After careful reflection, I have decided not to vote for that proposition.
Projection
The display of an image by devices such as movie projector, video projector, overhead projector or slide projector.
Reflection
An implied criticism.
It is a reflection on his character that he never came back to see them.
Projection
A forecast or prognosis obtained by extrapolation
Reflection
(computing) The process or mechanism of determining the capabilities of an object at run-time.
Projection
(psychology) A belief or assumption that others have similar thoughts and experiences to one's own. This includes making accusations that would more fittingly apply to the accuser.
Reflection
(anatomy) The folding of a part; a fold.
Projection
(photography) The image that a translucent object casts onto another object.
Reflection
The act of reflecting, or turning or sending back, or the state of being reflected.
The eye sees not itself,But by reflection, by some other things.
Projection
(cartography) Any of several systems of intersecting lines that allow the curved surface of the earth to be represented on a flat surface. The set of mathematics used to calculate coordinate positions.
Reflection
The reverting of the mind to that which has already occupied it; continued consideration; meditation; contemplation; hence, also, that operation or power of the mind by which it is conscious of its own acts or states; the capacity for judging rationally, especially in view of a moral rule or standard.
By reflection, . . . I would be understood to mean, that notice which the mind takes of its own operations, and the manner of them, by reason whereof there come to be ideas of these operations in the understanding.
This delight grows and improves under thought and reflection.
Projection
(geometry) An image of an object on a surface of fewer dimensions.
Reflection
Shining; brightness, as of the sun.
Projection
(linear algebra) An idempotent linear transformation which maps vectors from a vector space onto a subspace.
Reflection
That which is produced by reflection.
As the sun water we can bear,Yet not the sun, but his reflection, there.
Projection
(mathematics) A transformation which extracts a fragment of a mathematical object.
Reflection
A part reflected, or turned back, at an angle; as, the reflection of a membrane.
Job's reflections on his once flourishing estate did at the same time afflict and encourage him.
Projection
(category theory) A morphism from a categorical product to one of its (two) components.
Reflection
Censure; reproach cast.
He died; and oh! may no reflection shedIts poisonous venom on the royal dead.
Projection
(grammar) The preservation of the properties of lexical items while generating the phrase structure of a sentence. See Projection principle.
Reflection
The transference of an excitement from one nerve fiber to another by means of the nerve cells, as in reflex action. See Reflex action, under Reflex.
Projection
The act of throwing or shooting forward.
Reflection
A calm lengthy intent consideration
Projection
A jutting out; also, a part jutting out, as of a building; an extension beyond something else.
Reflection
The phenomenon of a propagating wave (light or sound) being thrown back from a surface
Projection
The act of scheming or planning; also, that which is planned; contrivance; design; plan.
Reflection
Expression without words;
Tears are an expression of grief
The pulse is a reflection of the heart's condition
Projection
The representation of something; delineation; plan; especially, the representation of any object on a perspective plane, or such a delineation as would result were the chief points of the object thrown forward upon the plane, each in the direction of a line drawn through it from a given point of sight, or central point; as, the projection of a sphere. The several kinds of projection differ according to the assumed point of sight and plane of projection in each.
Reflection
The image of something as reflected by a mirror (or other reflective material);
He studied his reflection in the mirror
Projection
Any method of representing the surface of the earth upon a plane.
Reflection
A likeness in which left and right are reversed
Projection
A prediction made by extrapolating from past observations
Reflection
(mathematics) a transformation in which the direction of one axis is reversed
Projection
The projection of an image from a film onto a screen
Reflection
A remark expressing careful consideration
Projection
A planned undertaking
Reflection
The ability to reflect beams or rays
Projection
Any structure that branches out from a central support
Reflection
An image seen in a mirror or shiny surface.
She checked her reflection in the mirror.
Projection
Any solid convex shape that juts out from something
Reflection
A manifestation or representation.
The new law is a reflection of the people’s will.
Projection
(psychiatry) a defense mechanism by which your own traits and emotions are attributed to someone else
Reflection
The conceptual operation of inverting a system or event with respect to a plane, each element being transferred perpendicularly through the plane.
The geometric pattern exhibited symmetry and reflection.
Projection
The acoustic phenomenon that gives sound a penetrating quality;
Our ukuleles have been designed to have superior sound and projection
A prime ingredient of public speaking is projection of the voice
Projection
The representation of a figure or solid on a plane as it would look from a particular direction
Projection
The act of projecting out from something
Projection
The act of expelling or projecting or ejecting
Projection
The act of projecting an image or light.
The projection of the film was clear and sharp.
Projection
An estimate or forecast of a future situation.
The financial projection showed potential growth.
Projection
A representation of something in a particular manner.
The map’s projection distorts the size of the continents.
Projection
The act of extending or thrusting forward.
The projection of the balcony offers a better view.
FAQs
Can projection be unconscious?
Yes, especially in psychology, projection can be an unconscious defense mechanism.
Is reflection always about the past?
Often, reflection involves consideration of past actions or events but it also refers to the physical return of light, heat, or sound.
Is projection used in psychology?
Yes, projection is a psychological defense mechanism where one attributes their feelings or thoughts to others.
Can projection be an estimate or forecast?
Indeed, projection is often used to describe an estimate or forecast of a future situation based on current data.
Does reflection occur in mirrors?
Yes, mirrors create a visual reflection by throwing back light to our eyes.
Is projection always about the future?
Typically, but not always; it often involves estimations or predictions, but it can also refer to projecting images or feelings in the present.
Can projection refer to a physical extension?
Yes, projection can refer to the act of extending or thrusting forward, such as a balcony projecting from a building.
Can reflection be a mathematical concept?
Yes, in mathematics, reflection is a conceptual operation of inverting a system or event with respect to a plane.
Is reflection the return of light, heat, or sound?
Yes, reflection involves the bouncing back of light, heat, or sound waves from a surface.
Can reflection lead to self-awareness?
Yes, through thoughtful consideration, reflection can foster self-awareness and personal development.
Can reflection occur with sound and heat?
Yes, besides light, reflection can also occur with sound and heat waves.
Can reflection involve thoughtful consideration?
Absolutely, reflection often involves contemplative consideration and evaluation of one’s thoughts and actions.
Is reflection a representation of something?
Yes, reflection can be a manifestation or representation of an opinion, state of affairs, or physical phenomenon.
Is projection only visual?
No, projection can also involve psychological attributes and future predictions, not just visual representation.
Can reflection be a conscious act of thinking?
Absolutely, reflection often involves a conscious, thoughtful consideration of past actions or events.
Can projection involve attributing feelings to others?
Yes, in psychology, projection involves attributing one’s unacceptable feelings or thoughts to others.
Does projection always involve real images?
No, projection can involve both real and perceived images or feelings.
Is a projection a representation of reality?
It can be, but projections can also be distorted or perceived representations, especially in psychological terms.
Is projection always a conscious act?
No, projection, especially in psychological terms, can often be an unconscious defense mechanism.
Can reflection be an image seen in any shiny surface?
Yes, reflection can create images in mirrors, water, or any reflective surfaces.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
