Wikipedia

Defence mechanism

For the biological concept, seeBiological defense.

Inpsychoanalytic theory,defence mechanismsareunconsciouspsychological processes that protect the self from anxiety-producing thoughts and feelings related to internal conflicts and external stressors.[1]

According to this theory, healthy people use different defence mechanisms throughout life. A defence mechanism can becomepathologicalwhen its persistent use leads to maladaptive behaviour such that the physical or mental health of the individual is adversely affected. Among the purposes of ego defence mechanisms is to protect the mind/self/ego fromanxietyor to provide a refuge from a situation with which one cannot currently cope.[2]

Examples of defence mechanisms include:repression,the exclusion of unacceptable desires and ideas from consciousness;identification,the incorporation of some aspects of an object into oneself;[3]rationalization,the justification of one's behaviour by using apparently logical reasons that are acceptable to theego,thereby further suppressing awareness of the unconscious motivations;[4]andsublimation,the process of channelinglibidointo "socially useful" disciplines, such as artistic, cultural, and intellectual pursuits, which indirectly provide gratification for the original drives.[5]

Some psychologists follow a system that ranks defence mechanisms into seven levels, ranging from a high-adaptive defence level to a psychotic defence level. Assessments carried out when analyzing patients such as the Defence Mechanism Rating Scale (DMRS) and Vaillant's hierarchy of defense mechanisms have been used and modified for over 40 years to provide numerical data on the state of a person's defensive functioning.[6]

Theories and classifications

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In the first definitive book on defence mechanisms,The Ego and the Mechanisms of Defence(1936),[7]Anna Freudenumerated the ten defence mechanisms that appear in the works of her father,Sigmund Freud:repression,regression,reaction formation,isolation,undoing,projection,introjection,turning against one's own person,reversal into the opposite, andsublimationordisplacement.[8]

Sigmund Freud posited that defence mechanisms work by distortingidimpulses into acceptable forms, or by unconscious or conscious blockage of these impulses.[7]Anna Freud considered defense mechanisms as intellectual and motor automatisms of various degrees of complexity, that arose in the process of involuntary and voluntary learning.[9]

Anna Freud introduced the concept of signal anxiety; she stated that it was "not directly a conflicted instinctual tension but a signal occurring in the ego of an anticipated instinctual tension".[7]The signalling function of anxiety was thus seen as crucial, and biologically adapted to warn the organism of danger or a threat to its equilibrium. The anxiety is felt as an increase in bodily or mental tension, and the signal that the organism receives in this way allows for the possibility of taking defensive action regarding the perceived danger.

Both Freuds studied defence mechanisms, but Anna spent more of her time and research on five main mechanisms: repression, regression, projection, reaction formation, and sublimation. All defence mechanisms are responses to anxiety and how the consciousness and unconscious manage the stress of a social situation.[10]

  • Repression:the exclusion of unacceptable desires and ideas from consciousness, though in certain circumstances they may resurface in a disguised or distorted form
  • Regression:falling back into an early state of mental/physical development seen as "less demanding and safer"[10]
  • Projection:possessing a feeling that is deemed as socially unacceptable and instead of facing it, that feeling or "unconscious urge" is seen in the actions of other people[10]
  • Reaction formation:acting the opposite way that the unconscious instructs a person to behave, "often exaggerated and obsessive". For example, if a wife is infatuated with a man who is not her husband, reaction formation may cause her to – rather than cheat – become obsessed with showing her husband signs of love and affection.[10]
  • Sublimation:seen as the most acceptable of the mechanisms, an expression of anxiety in socially acceptable ways[10]

Otto F. Kernberg(1967) developed a theory of borderline personality organization of which one consequence may beborderline personality disorder.His theory is based on ego psychologicalobject relations theory.Borderline personality organization develops when the child cannot integrate helpful and harmful mental objects together. Kernberg views the use of primitive defence mechanisms as central to this personality organization. Primitive psychological defences are projection, denial, dissociation or splitting and they are called borderline defence mechanisms. Also, devaluation and projective identification are seen as borderline defences.[11]

Robert Plutchik's (1979) theory views defences as derivatives of basicemotions,which in turn relate to particular diagnostic structures. According to his theory, reaction formation relates to joy (and manic features), denial relates to acceptance (and histrionic features), repression to fear (and passivity), regression to surprise (and borderline traits), compensation to sadness (and depression), projection to disgust (and paranoia), displacement to anger (and hostility) and intellectualization to anticipation (and obsessionality).[12]

TheDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(DSM-IV) published by theAmerican Psychiatric Association(1994) includes a tentative diagnostic axis for defence mechanisms.[13]This classification is largely based on Vaillant's hierarchical view of defences, but has some modifications. Examples include: denial, fantasy, rationalization, regression, isolation, projection, and displacement. However, additional defense mechanisms are still proposed and investigated by different authors. For instance, in 2023, time distortion was proposed in a publication as a newly identified ego defense.[14]

Different theorists have different categorizations and conceptualizations of defence mechanisms. Large reviews of theories of defence mechanisms are available from Paulhus, Fridhandler and Hayes (1997)[15]and Cramer (1991).[16]TheJournal of Personalitypublished a special issue on defence mechanisms (1998).[17]

Vaillant's categorization

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PsychiatristGeorge Eman Vaillantintroduced a four-level classification of defence mechanisms:[18][19]Much of this is derived from his observations while overseeing the Grant study that began in 1937 and is on-going. In monitoring a group of men from their freshman year at Harvard until their deaths, the purpose of the study was to see longitudinally what psychological mechanisms proved to have impact over the course of a lifetime. The hierarchy was seen to correlate well with the capacity to adapt to life. His most comprehensive summary of the on-going study was published in 1977.[20]The focus of the study is to define mental health rather than disorder.

  • Level I – pathological defences (psychotic denial, delusional projection)
  • Level II – immature defences (fantasy, projection, passive aggression, acting out)
  • Level III – neurotic defences (intellectualization, reaction formation, dissociation, displacement, repression)
  • Level IV – mature defences (humour, sublimation, suppression, altruism, anticipation)

Level 1: pathological

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When predominant, the mechanisms on this level are almost always severelypathological.These defences, in conjunction, permit one effectively to rearrange external experiences to eliminate the need to cope with reality. Pathological users of these mechanisms frequently appear irrational orinsaneto others. These are the "pathological" defences, common in overtpsychosis.However, they are normally found in dreams and throughout childhood as well.[21] They include:

  • Delusional projection:Delusions about external reality, usually of a persecutory nature
  • Denial:Refusal to accept external reality because it is too threatening; arguing against an anxiety-provoking stimulus by stating it does not exist; resolution of emotional conflict and reduction of anxiety by refusing to perceive or consciously acknowledge the more unpleasant aspects of external reality
  • Distortion:A gross reshaping of external reality to meet internal needs

Level 2: immature

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These mechanisms are often present in adults. These mechanisms lessen distress and anxiety produced by threatening people or by an uncomfortable reality. Excessive use of such defences is seen as socially undesirable, in that they are immature, difficult to deal with and seriously out of touch with reality. These are the so-called "immature" defences and overuse almost always leads to serious problems in a person's ability to cope effectively. These defences are often seen inmajor depressionandpersonality disorders.[21] They include:

  • Acting out:Direct expression of an unconscious wish or impulse in action, without conscious awareness of the emotion that drives the expressive behavior
  • Hypochondriasis:An excessive preoccupation or worry about having a serious illness
  • Passive-aggressive behavior:Indirect expression of hostility
  • Projection:A primitive form ofparanoia.Projection reduces anxiety by allowing the expression of the undesirable impulses or desires without becoming consciously aware of them; attributing one's own unacknowledged, unacceptable, or unwanted thoughts and emotions to another; includes severeprejudiceandjealousy,hypervigilanceto external danger, and "injustice collecting", all with the aim of shifting one's unacceptable thoughts, feelings and impulses onto someone else, such that those same thoughts, feelings, beliefs and motivations are perceived as being possessed by the other.
  • Schizoid fantasy:Tendency to retreat into fantasy in order to resolve inner and outer conflicts
  • Splitting:A primitive defence. Both harmful and helpful impulses are split off and segregated, frequently projected onto someone else. The defended individual segregates experiences into all-good and all-bad categories, with no room for ambiguity and ambivalence. When "splitting" is combined with "projecting", the undesirable qualities that one unconsciously perceives oneself as possessing, one consciously attributes to another.[22]

Level 3: neurotic

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These mechanisms are consideredneurotic,but fairly common in adults. Such defences have short-term advantages in coping, but can often cause long-term problems in relationships, work and in enjoying life when used as one's primary style of coping with the world.[21] They include:

  • Displacement:Defence mechanism that shifts sexual or aggressive impulses to a more acceptable or less threatening target; redirecting emotion to a safer outlet; separation of emotion from its real object and redirection of the intense emotion toward someone or something that is less offensive or threatening in order to avoid dealing directly with what is frightening or threatening.
  • Dissociation:Temporary drastic modification of one's personal identity or character to avoid emotional distress; separation or postponement of a feeling that normally would accompany a situation or thought.
  • Intellectualization:Excessively analytical or abstract thought patterns, potentially leading to increased distance from one's emotions. Used to block out conflicting or disturbing feelings or thoughts.[23]
  • Isolationofaffect:The detachment of emotion from an idea, making it "flat." Frequently observed inobsessive–compulsive disorder,and in non-disordered people following traumatic events.[24]
  • Reaction formation:Converting unconscious wishes or impulses that are perceived to be dangerous or unacceptable into their opposites; behaviour that is completely the opposite of what one really wants or feels; taking the opposite belief because the true belief causes anxiety
  • Repression:The process of attempting to repel desires towards pleasurable instincts, caused by a threat of suffering if the desire is satisfied; the desire is moved to the unconscious in the attempt to prevent it from entering consciousness;[25]seemingly unexplainable naivety, memory lapse or lack of awareness of one's own situation and condition; the emotion is conscious, but the idea behind it is absent[26]

Level 4: mature

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These are commonly found among emotionally healthy adults and are considered mature, even though many have their origins in an immature stage of development. They are conscious processes, adapted through the years in order to optimise success in human society and relationships. The use of these defences enhances pleasure and feelings of control. These defences help to integrate conflicting emotions and thoughts, whilst still remaining effective. Those who use these mechanisms are usually consideredvirtuous.[21] Mature defences include:

  • Altruism:Constructive service to others that brings pleasure and personal satisfaction
  • Anticipation:Realistic planning for future discomfort
  • Humour:Overt expression of ideas and feelings (especially those that are unpleasant to focus on or too terrible to talk about directly) that gives pleasure to others. The thoughts retain a portion of their innate distress, but they are "skirted around" by witticism, for example,self-deprecation.
  • Sublimation:Transformation of unhelpful emotions or instincts into healthy actions, behaviours, or emotions; for example, playing a heavy contact sport such as football or rugby can transform aggression into a game[27]
  • Suppression:The conscious decision to delay paying attention to a thought, emotion, or need in order to cope with the present reality; making it possible later to access uncomfortable or distressing emotions whilst accepting them

Perry's defence mechanism rating scale (DMRS)

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The defence Mechanism Rating Scale (DMRS) includes thirty processes of defence that are divided into 7 categories. Starting from the highest level of adaptiveness these levels include: high-adaptive, obsessional, neurotic, minor image-distorting, disavowal, major image-distorting, and action. The scale was originally created byJ. Christopher Perryfor the purpose of being able to provide patients with a "defence diagnosis."[6]Additions have been made byMariagrazia Di Giuseppeand colleagues to enlarge the application of the DMRS, creating the DMRS self report and DMRS-Q sort.[28]

Level 1: Action defences

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Action defence mechanisms are used unconsciously to help reduce stress. Examples includepassive aggression,help-rejecting complaining, andacting out,which channel impulses into appropriate behaviors. These processes offer short-term relief but may prevent lasting improvements in the root causes.

Level 2: Major image-distorting defences

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Major image-distorting mechanisms are used to guard a person's own image and their ego from perceived dangers, conflicts, or fears. These processes involve simplifying the way a person sees themselves and others. Splitting of one's self or other's image andprojective identificationboth work on an unconscious level and help to alter reality, enabling these individuals to uphold a more positive view of their lives or situations.

Level 3: Disavowal defences

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Disavowal defence mechanisms include the rejection or denial of unpleasant ideas, emotions, or events. People sometimes distance themselves from certain parts of their identity, whether they are aware of it or not, in order to avoid feelings of unease or discomfort. Mechanisms such as autistic fantasy,rationalization,denial,andprojection,can help shield one's ego from feelings of stress or guilt that arise when facing reality.

Level 4: Minor image-distorting defences

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Level four defence mechanisms serve the purpose of protecting an individual's self-esteem. There are several processes that people may use, such asdevaluation and idealization of self-image and others-image,as well asomnipotence.These mechanisms assist in preserving a healthy self-perception during times of psychological instability.

Level 5: Neurotic

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These defences are strategies that the mind uses without conscious awareness in order to manage anxiety, which is often a result of ongoing conflicts. There are several mechanisms that people use to cope with distressing thoughts and emotions. These includerepression,displacement,dissociation,andreaction formation.These defences may offer brief relief; however, they can inhibit development in oneself and contribute to harmful habits.

Level 6: Obsessional defences

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Obsessional defences refer to mental techniques that individuals utilize to cope with anxiety by exerting control over their thoughts, emotions, or behaviors. People may rely on strict routines, a desire for perfection, or a strong need for order to maintain a sense of control and avoid facing uncertainty or undesirable impulses. These defences, such as isolation of affects,intellectualization,andundoing,provide a short-term solution but can result in the development ofobsessive-compulsive behaviorsand hinder one's capacity to express and adapt to emotions.

Level 7: High-adaptative defences

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This level of defences allow individuals to cope with stressors, challenges, and trauma. Mechanisms, such assublimation,affiliation, self-assertion, suppression,altruism,anticipation, humor, andself-observationplay a role in building resilience. They allow individuals to redefine challenges in a beneficial way that maximizes positivity. In doing so, they enhance their psychological well-being and encourage adaptation.[29][30][31]

Relation with coping

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See also:Coping (psychology)

There are multiple different perspectives on how the construct ofdefencerelates to the construct ofcoping.While the two concepts share multiple similarities, there is a distinct difference between them that depends on the state of consciousness the process is carried out in. The process of coping involves using logic and reason to stabilize negative emotions and stressors. This differs from defence, which is driven by impulse and urges.[32][33]

Similarities between coping and defense mechanisms have been extensively studied in relation to variousmental healthconditions, such asdepression,anxiety,andpersonality disorders.[34]Research indicates that these mechanisms often follow specific patterns within different disorders, with some, like avoidant coping, potentially exacerbating future symptoms.[35]This aligns with the vulnerability-stress psychopathology model, which involves two core components: vulnerability (non-adaptive mechanisms and processes) and stress (life events).[36]These factors interact to create a threshold for the development of mental disorders. The types of coping and defense mechanisms used can either contribute to vulnerability or act as protective factors.[37]Coping and defence mechanisms work in tandem to balance out feelings of anxiety or guilt, categorizing them both as a "mechanisms ofadaptation."[33]

Criticism

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Criticism regarding defence mechanisms focus on the lack of empirical evidence as most of the evidence for defence mechanisms comes from clinical observations and subjective interpretations.[38]

Critics have stated that due to the difficult nature of studying defence mechanisms that future research should distinguish more between the theoretical constructs of defence mechanisms and actual behaviors.[39]

See also

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References

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  1. ^American Psychiatric Association (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press
  2. ^"defence mechanisms -- Britannica Online Encyclopedia".www.britannica.com.Retrieved2008-03-11.
  3. ^Chalquist, Craig."A Glossary of Freudian Terms"Archived2018-12-28 at theWayback Machine2001. Retrieved on 05 October 2013.
  4. ^"Rationalization".American Psychological Association.
  5. ^"Sublimation".American Psychological Association.
  6. ^abPerry, J. Christopher; Henry, Melissa (2004),"Studying Defense Mechanisms in Psychotherapy using the Defense Mechanism Rating Scales",Defense Mechanisms - Theoretical, Research and Clinical Perspectives,Advances in Psychology, vol. 136, Elsevier, pp.165–192,doi:10.1016/s0166-4115(04)80034-7,ISBN978-0-444-51263-5,retrieved2024-05-02
  7. ^abcFreud, A. (1936).The Ego and the Mechanisms of Defence,London: Hogarth Press and Institute of Psycho-Analysis. (Revised edition: 1966 (US), 1968 (UK))
  8. ^Lipot Szondi (1956)Ego AnalysisCh. XIX, translated by Arthur C. Johnston, p. 268
  9. ^Romanov, E.S. (1996).Mechanisms of psychological defense: genesis, functioning, diagnostics.
  10. ^abcdeHock, Roger R. "Reading 30: You're Getting Defensive Again!" Forty Studies That Changed Psychology. 7th ed. Upper Saddle River: Pearson Education, 2013. 233–38. Print.
  11. ^Kernberg O (July 1967). "Borderline personality organization".J Am Psychoanal Assoc.15(3):641–85.doi:10.1177/000306516701500309.PMID4861171.S2CID32199139.
  12. ^Plutchik, R., Kellerman, H., & Conte, H. R. (1979). A structural theory of ego defences and emotions. In C. E. Izard (Ed.), Emotions in personality and psychopathology (pp. 229–-257). New York: Plenum Press.
  13. ^American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
  14. ^Fowler, Alexander (2023)."On the Distortion of Time: An Unexplored Ego Defense Mechanism".International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering, Technology, and Science.ISSN2582-5208.
  15. ^Paulhus, D.L., Fridhandler B., and Hayes S. (1997). Psychological defense: Contemporary theory and research. InBriggs, Stephen; Hogan, Robert Goode; Johnson, John W. (1997).Handbook of personality psychology.Boston: Academic Press. pp.543–579.ISBN978-0-12-134646-1.
  16. ^Cramer, P. (1991). The Development of Defense Mechanisms: Theory, Research, and Assessment. New York, Springer-Verlag.
  17. ^Special issue[on defense mechanisms],Journal of Personality(1998),66(6): 879–1157
  18. ^Cramer, Phebe (May 2006).Protecting the Self.The Guilford Press. p.17.ISBN9781593855284.
  19. ^Vaillant, George (1994)."Ego mechanisms of defense and personality psychopathology"(PDF).Journal of Abnormal Psychology.103(1):44–50.doi:10.1037/0021-843X.103.1.44.PMID8040479.
  20. ^Vailant, George (1977).Adaptation to Life.Boston: Little Brown.ISBN0-316-89520-2.
  21. ^abcdVaillant, G. E., Bond, M., & Vaillant, C. O. (1986). An empirically validated hierarchy of defence mechanisms. Archives of General Psychiatry, 73, 786–794. George Eman Valillant
  22. ^McWilliams, Nancy (2011).Psychoanalytic Diagnosis: Understanding Personality Structure in the Clinical Process, Second Edition.New York, NY: The Guilford Press. pp. 60, 63, 103.ISBN978-1609184940.
  23. ^Bailey, Ryan; Pico, Jose (2022),"Defense Mechanisms",StatPearls,Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing,PMID32644532,retrieved2022-06-28
  24. ^"isolation of affect".Oxford Reference.Retrieved2022-06-28.
  25. ^Laplanche pp. 390, 392[full citation needed]
  26. ^Psychological Defenses from DSM-IV (see Repression),Virginia Commonwealth University. Retrieved on December 12, 2014.
  27. ^Schacter, Gilbert, Wegner (2011),Psychology(2nd edition), Worth Publishers, p. 483
  28. ^Di Giuseppe, Mariagrazia; Perry, John Christopher; Lucchesi, Matilde; Michelini, Monica; Vitiello, Sara; Piantanida, Aurora; Fabiani, Matilde; Maffei, Sara; Conversano, Ciro (2020)."Preliminary Reliability and Validity of the DMRS-SR-30, a Novel Self-Report Measure Based on the Defense Mechanisms Rating Scales".Frontiers in Psychiatry.11:870.doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00870.ISSN1664-0640.PMC7479239.PMID33005160.
  29. ^Di Giuseppe, Mariagrazia; Perry, J. Christopher (2021)."The Hierarchy of Defense Mechanisms: Assessing Defensive Functioning With the Defense Mechanisms Rating Scales Q-Sort".Frontiers in Psychology.12.doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.718440.ISSN1664-1078.PMC8555762.PMID34721167.
  30. ^"APA PsycNet".psycnet.apa.org.Retrieved2024-05-02.
  31. ^"The DMRS-Q".dmrs-q.com(in Italian).Retrieved2024-05-02.
  32. ^Haan, Norma (1977).Coping and defending: processes of self-environment organization.Internet Archive. New York: Academic Press.ISBN978-0-12-312350-3.
  33. ^abCramer, Phebe (1998)."Coping and Defense Mechanisms: What's the Difference?".Journal of Personality.66(6):919–946.doi:10.1111/1467-6494.00037.ISSN0022-3506.
  34. ^Felton, Barbara J.; Revenson, Tracey A. (1984)."Coping with chronic illness: A study of illness controllability and the influence of coping strategies on psychological adjustment".Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology.52(3):343–353.doi:10.1037/0022-006X.52.3.343.ISSN0022-006X.PMID6747054.
  35. ^Bornstein, Robert F.; Bianucci, Violeta; Fishman, Daniel P.; Biars, Julia W. (2014-04-01)."Toward a Firmer Foundation for DSM-5.1: Domains of Impairment in DSM-IV/DSM-5 Personality Disorders".Journal of Personality Disorders.28(2):212–224.doi:10.1521/pedi_2013_27_116.ISSN0885-579X.PMID23786269.
  36. ^Nuechterlein, K. H.; Dawson, M. E. (1984-01-01)."A Heuristic Vulnerability/Stress Model of Schizophrenic Episodes".Schizophrenia Bulletin.10(2):300–312.doi:10.1093/schbul/10.2.300.ISSN0586-7614.PMID6729414.
  37. ^Yank, Glenn R.; Bentley, Kia J.; Hargrove, David S. (1993)."The vulnerability-stress model of schizophrenia: Advances in psychosocial treatment".American Journal of Orthopsychiatry.63(1):55–69.doi:10.1037/h0079401.ISSN1939-0025.PMID8427312.
  38. ^"Defense Mechanisms - The Behavioral Scientist".www.thebehavioralscientist.com.Retrieved2024-12-06.
  39. ^Mihalits, Dominik Stefan; Codenotti, Marco (June 2020)."The Conceptual Tragedy in Studying Defense Mechanisms".Integrative Psychological and Behavioral Science.54(2):354–369.doi:10.1007/s12124-020-09515-6.ISSN1932-4502.PMID31955367.
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