An assignment on Defence
Mechanism

Introduction :-
 The term ‘ Defence Mechanism’ was first
used by sigmund freud in his paper “The
Neuro-Psychoses of defence” (1894).
 Anna (1937) developed the ideas given by
Freud and elaborated them, adding 5 other
own .
 In his psychoanalytical theory ,
Freud explained a defence
mechanism is a tactic developed
by ego to protect against anxiety .

A defence
mechanism is the
act or technique of
coping
mechanisms that
reduce anxiety
generated by
threats from
unacceptable or
negative impulses.
The process is
usually
unconscious .
Meaning :-

 For example :- if you are faced with a particularly
unpleasant task our mind may choose to forget
your responsibility in order to avoid the dreaded
assignment . In addition to forgetting , other
defence mechanism include rationalization ,
denial , repression , rejection etc .

Definition:-
 in Freudian Psychoanalytical theory,
Defence Mechanism are psychological
strategies brought into play by the
unconscious mind to manipulate , deny or
distort reality in order to defend against
feelings of anxiety & unacceptable
impulses to maintain one’s self schema .
 Defence Mechanism , in Psychoanalytical
theory , any of a group mental processes
that enables the mid to reach compromise
solutions to conflicts that is unable to
resolve .

Classification of defence
mechanism :-
Based on
primitiveness
Primitive less primitive Mature

Rationalization
.
Projection .
Compensation
.
Regression . Sublimation . Withdrawal .
Displacement . Simple denial . Fantasy .

Identification
mechanism .
Repression .
Reaction
formation .
Negativism .

Is the substitution of a
safe & reasonable
explanation for the true
cause of behaviour .
It occurs when we tell an
element of truth but deny
the larger truth of the
matter .
Example:- a student who
cheats on a test may say :
“I only cheated on a few
question , i know most of
the answers”.
1)Rationalization

2)Regression
:-
When someone is
under a lot of
stress, they return
to behavior from
an earlier stage of
development.
Also known as
back journey .

Ex:- a lady regressed into adolescent starts to walk
, talk or dress like as her younger self .
When a person is confronted to some loss may be
back journey to a stage which had been more
pleasant & successful in his lifetime .

3)Sublimation :-
 Satisfying an impulse ( Ex- aggression) with a
substitute object in a socially acceptable way .
 This is similar to displacement but occurs when
we manage to displace our emotions into a
constructive rather than destructive manner .
 Refocusing such unacceptable or harmful
impulses into productive use helps a person to
channel the energy that otherwise would be
lost or used in a manner might cause a person
more anxiety .

Example :-
Sport is an
example of putting
our emotions into
something
constructive .

4)Withdrawal :-
If someone faces
failure or rejection
they try to
withdraw from that
situation .
Ex:- fear of
rejection in
making friends .

5)Displacement :-
 To transfer an impulse or idea from a
threatening object to a less threatening
object .

Denial involves blocking
external events from
awareness . If some
situation is too much to
handle , the person refuses
to experience it .
Most people use denial in
their everyday lives to avoid
dealing wit painful feelings
or areas of their life they
don’t wish to admit .
6)Simple denial

7) Identification mechanism
:-
 A focus on negative or feared traits i.e. if you are
afraid of someone , you can practically conquer
that fear by becoming more like them .
 It can be identified as a mental mechanism
beyond conscious awareness through which an
individual tries to make himself like someone else
.

Example:-
an extreme
example is
Stockholm
Syndrome whose
hostage identifies
with the terrorists .
E.g.:- Patty Hearst
& the Symbionse
Libertian Army .

8)Fantasy :-
Is a sort of
imagination which
can provide an
escape from
frustration by giving
us imaginary
satisfaction .
Fantasy is a
mechanism of wishful
thinking & important
for creative thinking

9) Compensation:-
 It is a process of psychologically
counterbalancing perceived weakness by
emphasizing strength in other areas .
 It may be positive or negative .
 Ex:- when a person says, “I may not know
how to cook but i can sure do the dishes”.
or
“OK, maybe I’ll never be able to pass the
class, but I’ll have fun and that teacher will
be sorry”

This defence mechanism helps to reinforce a
person’s self esteem & self image .
Direct compensation Indirect compensation
 when we try to make
up the deficiency in the
same area by putting
more effort , by taking
guidance from people,
tutors , teachers ,
guides etc.
 Ex:-a physically
unattractive adolescent
becomes an attractive
dancer .
 When we try to make up
the deficiency of an area
into some other area .
 Extreme form of indirect
compensation in found in
parents .
 Ex:- If one is not good in
sports , they can
overcome in studies .

10) Repression :-
 This was the first defence mechanism that
Freud discovered & the most important one.
 It is an unconscious mechanism employed by
the ego to keep disturbing or threatening
thoughts becoming conscious .
 It is the withdrawal from consciousness of an
unwanted idea, affect or desire by pushing it
down or repressing it , into the unconscious
part of the mind .
 It can be defined as Motivated Forgetting .

Example:- Hysterical Amnesia , in
which the victim has performed or
witnessed dome disturbing act & then
completely forgotten the act itself & the
circumstances surrounding it .
Repression is caused due to forces
active within ourselves . We try to
forget what makes us feel inferior ,
ashamed , guilty & anxious .

11) Reaction formation :-
Expressing emotions that are the exactly
opposite of what you feel.
 Conceal anger/hate with kindness.
 Teasing/bothering someone you like.
 It is converting the dangerous or
unacceptable thoughts , feelings or impulses
into their opposites.
 This is a point where a person goes beyond
denial & behaves in the opposite way to which
he or she thinks or feel .
 It is also called Reversal Formation .

Example:- a woman , who is very angry with her boss
and want to quit instead may be overly kind and
generous towards her boss .

12) Projection:-
 Is the misattribution of a person’s
undesired thoughts, feelings or impulses
onto another person who doesn’t have
thoughts, feelings or thoughts .
 Projection occurs when an individual
threatened by his own angry feelings
accuses another of harbouring hostile
thoughts .
 People deal with unacceptable impulses by
acting as if other people have them .

Example:- spouse cheats on wife and says that she is
also a cheater .

13)Negativism :-
 Is a mechanism by which an individual
draws the attention of other persons . The
person develops strong and irrational
resistance in accepting the suggestions of
other .
 The foundation of this mechanism is laid
down in childhood . Most of the adults use
negativism in milder forms in special
situations . They don’t oppose but they do
resist suggestion given by other .

Conclusion:-
 Defence mechanism helps to reduce the
anxiety & help an individual to adjust better
. But too much of everything is bad . Same
is true with defence mechanism . Children
should be guarded against too much use of
defence mechanism . Because once they
start using them it will became a habit with
them & later on they will be using it
unconsciously .

References:-
 McLeod, S. A. (2009). Defense
Mechanisms. Retrieved from
http://www.simplypsychology.org/defense-
mechanisms.html .
 Defense mechanism: Encyclopaedia
Briticana .
 John M. Grohol. Psy .D , Psych central .

Thank you