Projection of power and assumed authority

When someone believes they have authority over you, this is often described as a projection of power or assumed authority, and in behavior it can look like dominance or control in a relationship.

This can be a friend, a former boss, a former teacher, or similar figures in your life.

In a psychological sense, such a person may see themselves as “above” others, or as someone who has the right to guide other people’s decisions or behavior. They may impose advice, opinions, or rules even when they are not asked. They tend to expect obedience or validation and may struggle to accept other people’s boundaries, different perspectives, or forms of expression.

This is not always conscious or intentional—but it often comes from a need for control and from underlying insecurity that is expressed through dominance.

Where does this come from?

It can develop from learned patterns in family or environment, or from habits of automatically taking on the role of an “authority figure” in relationships. It is also often seen in individuals raised in narcissistic family systems or narcissists themselves.

In relationships, this can lead to an imbalance of power, one person being suppressed, and conflict—especially when the other person sets boundaries—often resulting in pressure or a feeling of losing autonomy.

In contrast, healthy relationships are based on mutual respect and balance, where each person maintains their own authority, opinions, expression, and boundaries.

By Tea Franca