verb
- unconsciously incorporates external attitudes, values, or standards into one’s own psyche
Usage: psychology; third person singular present tense
Examples
- The child introjects parental values during early development.
- She introjects her teacher’s critical voice and becomes self-critical.
- The patient introjects the therapist’s supportive attitude over time.
- He introjects societal expectations about masculinity.
- The adolescent introjects peer group norms and behaviors.
- She introjects her mother’s perfectionist standards.