Alternative hypotheses

Compare mechanisms

Compare function, sequence, patient language, and treatment leverage. The aim is not to choose a label—it is to identify which hypothesis best explains this person’s pattern.

Ask this

Which pattern better explains the sequence, protective function, and consequences: attachment avoidance or projection?

Attachment avoidance

Attachment avoidance may appear as self-sufficiency, emotional distance, minimisation of need, or disengagement under relational stress.

AttachmentInterpersonalDevelopmental+1

Projection

Projection can protect against shame or conflict but may create suspicion, blame, and interpersonal escalation.

DefenceInterpersonalAffect+1

Definition

AA relational strategy of down-regulating attachment needs, dependence, and emotional closeness to preserve autonomy or reduce vulnerability.

BA defence in which unacceptable feelings, impulses, or self-states are attributed to another person.

Core process

AAttachment cues activate vulnerability or threat, which is managed through distance, deactivation, intellectualisation, or self-reliance.

BAn unwanted internal state is experienced as located in the other, reducing self-conflict but distorting interpersonal appraisal.

Look for

AMinimises distress · Misses sessions after closeness

BHigh certainty about others motives · Accusations matching disowned affect

Patient language

A“I do not need anyone”

B“They hate me”

Maintaining cycle

ANeed -> vulnerability -> distance -> short-term safety -> unmet need persists

BDisowned affect -> attribution to other -> defensive interaction -> apparent confirmation

Treatment leverage

AMake support tolerable without forcing dependency.

BBuild capacity to notice disowned feeling states without shame escalation.

Check before using

ADistance reflects healthy boundaries, cultural preference, or a realistic safety concern.

BThere is strong evidence that the other person is acting in the described way.

Formulation language

Attachment avoidance may protect against vulnerability by creating distance, but it also limits support and repair.

Open full guide

Formulation language

Projection may protect against owning painful feelings, but it can make relationships feel more hostile and confirming.

Open full guide

Browse the map Use both hypotheses

Alternative hypotheses

Compare mechanisms

Compare function, sequence, patient language, and treatment leverage. The aim is not to choose a label—it is to identify which hypothesis best explains this person’s pattern.

Ask this

Which pattern better explains the sequence, protective function, and consequences: attachment avoidance or projection?

Attachment avoidance

Attachment avoidance may appear as self-sufficiency, emotional distance, minimisation of need, or disengagement under relational stress.

AttachmentInterpersonalDevelopmental+1

Projection

Projection can protect against shame or conflict but may create suspicion, blame, and interpersonal escalation.

DefenceInterpersonalAffect+1

Definition

AA relational strategy of down-regulating attachment needs, dependence, and emotional closeness to preserve autonomy or reduce vulnerability.

BA defence in which unacceptable feelings, impulses, or self-states are attributed to another person.

Core process

AAttachment cues activate vulnerability or threat, which is managed through distance, deactivation, intellectualisation, or self-reliance.

BAn unwanted internal state is experienced as located in the other, reducing self-conflict but distorting interpersonal appraisal.

Look for

AMinimises distress · Misses sessions after closeness

BHigh certainty about others motives · Accusations matching disowned affect

Patient language

A“I do not need anyone”

B“They hate me”

Maintaining cycle

ANeed -> vulnerability -> distance -> short-term safety -> unmet need persists

BDisowned affect -> attribution to other -> defensive interaction -> apparent confirmation

Treatment leverage

AMake support tolerable without forcing dependency.

BBuild capacity to notice disowned feeling states without shame escalation.

Check before using

ADistance reflects healthy boundaries, cultural preference, or a realistic safety concern.

BThere is strong evidence that the other person is acting in the described way.

Formulation language

Attachment avoidance may protect against vulnerability by creating distance, but it also limits support and repair.

Open full guide

Formulation language

Projection may protect against owning painful feelings, but it can make relationships feel more hostile and confirming.

Open full guide

Browse the map Use both hypotheses