Defense mechanism

Defense Mechanism is a psychological strategy that is unconsciously used to protect a person from anxiety arising from unacceptable thoughts or feelings.

Overview

A defense mechanism is an unconscious psychological mechanism that reduces anxiety arising from unacceptable or potentially harmful stimuli. Defense mechanisms are not to be confused with conscious coping strategies. Sigmund Freud was one of the first proponents of this construct.

Defense Mechanisms in Psychoanalytic Theory

Sigmund Freud posited that defense mechanisms work by distorting the id impulses into acceptable forms, or by unconscious or conscious blockage of these impulses. His daughter Anna Freud clarified and identified the concepts of denial, displacement, intellectualization, projection, rationalization, reaction formation, regression, repression, and sublimation.

Defense Mechanisms in Modern Psychology

Modern psychologists propose four major types of defense mechanisms: primitive, immature, neurotic, and mature. These are further categorized based on their psychoanalytical developmental sequence.

Primitive Defense Mechanisms

Primitive defense mechanisms are the most basic and are common in childhood. They include denial, projection, and splitting.

Immature Defense Mechanisms

Immature defense mechanisms are often seen in adults and include fantasy, projection, passive aggression, and dissociation.

Neurotic Defense Mechanisms

Neurotic defense mechanisms are common in adults and can become a normal part of everyday mental processes. They include intellectualization, reaction formation, displacement, repression, and dissociation.

Mature Defense Mechanisms

Mature defense mechanisms are often seen in adults and are usually integrated into an individual's personality. They include humor, sublimation, suppression, altruism, and anticipation.

See Also

• Psychoanalytic theory
• Sigmund Freud
• Anna Freud
• Coping (psychology)

References

Defense mechanism Resources
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