Final answer:
Blaming one's problems on others is a form of projection, a defense mechanism where a person attributes their own undesirable traits to someone else, rather than scapegoating or blaming a subordinate group for problems.
Step-by-step explanation:
Blaming one's problems on others is a form of projection. Projection is a psychological defense mechanism where a person attributes their own undesirable feelings, thoughts, or impulses onto someone else. This behavior can be a means of deflecting blame and can also be linked to prejudice, where one might discriminate against others to enhance their self-concept or as an outlet for frustration.
Scapegoating is a related concept but differs as it involves blaming a person or group for problems caused by others, often those in a dominant group blaming a subordinate group. It does not reflect the same internal psychological process as projection, which is more about refusing to acknowledge our own unconscious feelings by attributing them to others.