Identification
Identification is the reverse of projection; a person claims as his the admirable traits of others. It is common in grade school for the student to identify with a favorite teacher, or for the high school quarterback to identify with the pro. Identification may be good or bad, depending both on the individual's goals and on those of the person with whom he or she identifies. In identification we tend to copy the other person's actions and even his attitudes. We can also think of identification as a method of reducing tension by "taking on" the achievement of another person or group of people.
Identification can be an important aid in training. The beginning employee is in a stressful situation because he does not know what is expected of him just when he wants to make a good impression. Thus, the new worker may identify with the worker at the next bench; the copilot may identify with the pilot. As stated above, this may be.good or bad, depending on the interaction of the person with his work climate and on the goals of the organization. People join clubs,lodges, and unions 'in part of the satisfaction of identification. In the same way, we identify with our possessions. Owning an expensive home Of car tells us that we are "successful." Identification, like other defenses, is rarely adopted deliberately, nor is the person usually aware of it as an adjustment. Identifications sometimes lead to difficulty; the person may identify with the wrong values or the wrong crowd.
