Defense Mechanisms
In psychoanalytic theory, defense mechanisms are the ego’s protective methods of reducing anxiety by unconsciously distorting reality. According to psychoanalytic theory, anxiety is defined as an inner state that is extremely unpleasant that acts as a signal to the ego that there are issues occurring. Consequently, people want to avoid anxiety, so the ego uses a defense mechanism to reduce the anxiety and associated feelings. Sigmund Freud identified three separate types of anxiety. Neurotic anxiety deals with the unconscious fear that one will lose control of the id, which would result in inappropriate behavior and punishment for that behavior. Reality anxiety is a fear of real-world events, and it has an easily identifiable cause. For example, being around a poisonous snake brings fear of receiving a lethal snake bite. Moral anxiety occurs when one fears that one will violate ones own moral ideals. Freud believed that the ego created defense mechanisms to act as shields and therefore decrease the anxiety created by conflicts between the id, superego, and reality. In order to deal with this anxiety, Freud believed that defense mechanisms helped shield the ego from the conflicts created by the id, superego, and reality.
Repression
Repression is the defense mechanism that banishes anxiety by erasing thoughts, feelings, and memories from consciousness.
Projection
Projection is the psychoanalytic defense mechanism by which people disguise their own threatening impulses by attributing them to others.
Displacement
Displacement is the defense mechanism that shifts sexual or aggressive impulses to a more acceptable or less threatening object or person as when redirecting anger towards a safer outlet.
Sublimation
Sublimation is a defense mechanism that allows us to act out unacceptable impulses by converting these behaviors into a more acceptable form.
Rationalization
Rationalization is the defense mechanism that involves explaining an unacceptable behavior or feeling in a rational or logical manner, avoiding the true reasons for the behavior.
References
Cherry, K. (n.d.). Defense Mechanisms. About.com Psychology. Retrieved April 16, 2014, from http://psychology.about.com/od/theoriesofpersonality/ss/defensemech_9.htm
Hall, E. (n.d.). Key Terms- Personality. GAVS.com. Retrieved April 15, 2014, from http://cms.gavirtualschool.org/Development/Social_Studies/AP_Psychology/AP_Psychology_Softchalk/12_Personality/KeyTermsPersonality.pdf
Cherry, K. (n.d.). Defense Mechanisms. About.com Psychology. Retrieved April 16, 2014, from http://psychology.about.com/od/theoriesofpersonality/ss/defensemech_9.htm
Hall, E. (n.d.). Key Terms- Personality. GAVS.com. Retrieved April 15, 2014, from http://cms.gavirtualschool.org/Development/Social_Studies/AP_Psychology/AP_Psychology_Softchalk/12_Personality/KeyTermsPersonality.pdf