Critical Thinking: Projection Theory and Character Dislike

GwenRaiden

GwenRaiden

AKA Apology Girl
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This is something I've been thinking about for a while. Clearly we all have our favourite characters, for lots of different reasons, usually because we consciously identify with our favourite characters; it could be that we wish we could be more like them, their strength, their downfall and their perseverance, their interactions with others and how they conduct themselves: they may have traits we wish we had more of in ourselves.

On the other hand -

Psychological Projection. From the Wikipedia article:

"Psychological projection, also known as blame shifting, is a theory in psychology in which humans defend themselves against their own unpleasant impulses by denying their existence while attributing them to others. For example, a person who is rude may constantly accuse other people of being rude."

Maybe my dislike of Xander Harris is a subconscious one: I've always been the "funny one" (AKA using humour to deflect from my issues) in my group of friends, sometimes way too over the top and "clowny", resulting in people not taking me seriously. Maybe my dislike (verging on hatred) for Xander comes from the subconscious recognising those traits I don't like in myself. I cringe at those flaws (of mine) in my Xander mirror.

This is just an example for discussions' sake.

Does this theory hold any weight for you and the characters you dislike? Care to share?

Thoughts? (Other) Theories? Do you recognise the theory that your own insecurities could equate to your distaste for someone/something? I guess it could be considered quite a liberating feeling once recognised as you can then move past those feelings, and have a deeper understanding of yourself and how your brain works.
 
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If I don't like ice cream does that mean I am cold and wet and full of sugery goodness or does it just mean that I recognize ice cream is not really something "good" for me to consume. I think the latter before the former.
 
I think that's a really interesting idea, and it may be a part of why we feel the way we do about certain characters, though I do think the things you mentioned in your first paragraph come into play. The blame shifting idea is very interesting to me because I have seen that often over the years.
 
Therefore, gals who dislike Anya are all perfect women.
 
thetopher
thetopher
My niece is perfect! Best not tell her that though...;)
I wondered along these lines myself and how they factor into the "shipping" wars. I think the kinds of relationships you've been in and what you value or want or feel is missing from your relationship gets transferred to the ship of choice. And sometimes the things you see as being great in a ship is completely unseen others even though to you it is so obvious.
 
I think for me the case where I identify with my fav character is definitely accurate. I can see some of myself in the characters I love.

But the blame shifting, I don't think it always applied. For example, I don't like Riley, but it's because his values directly oppose mine. I don't like his close minded-ness, or the way he deals with his problems. But again we do have some points in common, like our strong convictions, but here this aspect is actually one that I can admire, just not always in relation to what he believes to be right. So really here is the opposite, it's me and Riley's differences that makes me dislike him. But nonetheless this is an interesting theory, and I'm sure it might be accurate for some situations.
 
I think as humans we project a lot of ourselves onto the characters we see on-screen. It's how we relate to them. If they act like we would act or maybe if they act like we would like to act, we feel we can relate to them. This is especially true, but not limited to, on-screen relationships. If we believe in the ship, we want to see the ship.

I think this projection can also work for characters we dislike too. Maybe we see something we don't like about ourselves in them. Like you @GwenRaiden I've always been very open on my dislike of Xander. Maybe like you, because I'm the awkward comic relief character in my friends group, maybe I see a lot of Xander and his flaws in myself? But then I also see a lot of my stoical traits in Oz and I love Oz. He's one of my favourite reoccuring characters. But I know that a lot of the time, me being so stoic is a negative thing.

I've never really put my finger on my dislike for Xander before. It's given me something to think about at least!
 
I'm more like Blaze. I like the characters that I feel are most like me, and dislike the one's that are least like me. (narcissist much?).

Or...and I can see some of this. I dislike when characters do things that I hate myself when I do them, so that fits the original premise, but the characters I actually hate, really aren't like me.

When I see my flaws in a character I like, I resent them for it.

So there is some amount of projecting for sure, but when it comes to my strongest feelings about characters I tend to hate those that are most opposite to me, and like those that are most similar to me. It's the grey area where most of my projecting takes place.
 
Blaze said:
I think for me the case where I identify with my fav character is definitely accurate. I can see some of myself in the characters I love.
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Me, too.

I don't really hate any character, so I don't understand what it's like to feel a strong hate towards one. I actually find myself not caring about Faith, but I don't hate her, however, I'm not found of bad girls (and bad boys for that matter) and find them overrated.

I do get angry when people trash Xander and Willow for snarking at Cordelia and see Cordelia as this awesome diva who should be loved and respected - I have suffered from Cordelia-like girls in Junior High and High School and when Xander and Willow make fun of Cordelia they are reacting to her years of bullying while Cordelia just mocks and humiliates people for her own sick pleasure.
 
Basically I like layered characters with interesting internal conflicts.
Shallow characters bore me and I end up resenting the 'extra special' attention they get 'cause frankly, they ain't worth it. It's not really to do with seeing any part of myself in them.
I think if I can relate to a character I can like them better, see their perspective, but really that's the writers job 'help me understasnd this character's pov'.
Even so there are characters who's life experience/personality I just respond better to- confidence that covers up lonliness and vulnerability, pride in intellect than hides emotional fragility, protective towards others, etc
 
I like Warren. Should I be concerned?
 
cryptwarmer
cryptwarmer
Do you like him because he's a well acted, well written character or because you want to be just like him when you grow up? Because I think he's a great character but I don't want to have lunch with him.
Samuel Reyes said:
Spike is a bad boy. 😉
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I think he's more of a poet nerd who pretends to be a bad boy but is very bad at it 😀 To be perfectly honest, I don't find Spike attractive. He's not my type. I don't remember liking him until Fool For Love.
 
sosa lola said:
I think he's more of a poet nerd who pretends to be a bad boy but is very bad at it 😀 To be perfectly honest, I don't find Spike attractive. He's not my type. I don't remember liking him until Fool For Love.
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Lol really? I had the notion you liked Spike.
 
GwenRaiden said:
Thoughts? (Other) Theories? Do you recognise the theory that your own insecurities could equate to your distaste for someone/something? I guess it could be considered quite a liberating feeling once recognised as you can then move past those feelings, and have a deeper understanding of yourself and how your brain works.
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Oh man, this is such an interesting thread idea, and I think it's definitely possible, and may explain my dislike for certain characters, at least on my end.

Let me think on it and get back to you all.
 
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