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: projection or negative core beliefs?

Projection

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

DefenceInterpersonalAffect+1

Negative core beliefs

Negative core beliefs bias attention and meaning-making, often linking early experience to current automatic thoughts, affect, and behaviour.

CognitionDevelopmentalAttachment+1

Definition

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

BGlobal, rigid, overgeneralised beliefs about the self, others, or world that shape interpretation and emotional response.

Core process

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

BA schema-like belief filters events so ambiguous information is interpreted as confirming defectiveness, danger, unlovability, or failure.

Look for

AHigh certainty about others motives · Accusations matching disowned affect

BGlobal self-statements · Persistent themes across situations

Patient language

A“They hate me”

B“I am not good enough”

Maintaining cycle

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

BTrigger -> negative meaning -> affect -> coping behaviour -> apparent confirmation of belief

Treatment leverage

ABuild capacity to notice disowned feeling states without shame escalation.

BWork at the level of meaning, not only surface thoughts.

Check before using

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

BThe thought is situation-specific and changes with new evidence.

Formulation language

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

Open full guide

Formulation language

A negative core belief of defectiveness appears to shape threat appraisals, self-criticism, and avoidance of disconfirming feedback.

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: projection or negative core beliefs?

Projection

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

DefenceInterpersonalAffect+1

Negative core beliefs

Negative core beliefs bias attention and meaning-making, often linking early experience to current automatic thoughts, affect, and behaviour.

CognitionDevelopmentalAttachment+1

Definition

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

BGlobal, rigid, overgeneralised beliefs about the self, others, or world that shape interpretation and emotional response.

Core process

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

BA schema-like belief filters events so ambiguous information is interpreted as confirming defectiveness, danger, unlovability, or failure.

Look for

AHigh certainty about others motives · Accusations matching disowned affect

BGlobal self-statements · Persistent themes across situations

Patient language

A“They hate me”

B“I am not good enough”

Maintaining cycle

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

BTrigger -> negative meaning -> affect -> coping behaviour -> apparent confirmation of belief

Treatment leverage

ABuild capacity to notice disowned feeling states without shame escalation.

BWork at the level of meaning, not only surface thoughts.

Check before using

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

BThe thought is situation-specific and changes with new evidence.

Formulation language

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

Open full guide

Formulation language

A negative core belief of defectiveness appears to shape threat appraisals, self-criticism, and avoidance of disconfirming feedback.

Open full guide

Browse the map Use both hypotheses