Unit-2 Defense Mechanism.pptx

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1. EGO-DEFENSE MECHANISM

2. Introduction :- ⦿ The term ‘ Defen s e Mechanism’ was first used by Sir S igmund F reud in his paper “The Neuro-Psychoses of defen s e” (1894). ⦿ Anna (1937) developed the ideas given by Freud and elaborated them, adding 5 other own . ⦿ In his psychoanalytical theory , Freud explained a defen s e mechanism is a tactic developed by ego to protect against anxiety .

3. 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 :-

4. ⦿ For example :- I f 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 defen s e mechanism include rationalization, denial, repression, rejection etc .

5. Definition : - ⦿ I n 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 .

6. Classification of defence mechanism :- Based on pr i miti v en e ss Pr i mi t i v e less primitive Mat u re

7. 1. Rationalization 2.Regression 3.Sublimation 4.Withdrawal 5.Displacement 6. D enial 7.Identification Mechanism 8. Fantasy

8. 9.Compensation 10.Repression 11.Reaction Formation 12.Projection 13.Negativism

9. 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

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

11. 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 .

12. 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 .

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

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

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

16. 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 h painful feelings or areas of their life they don’t wish to admit . 6)Simple denial

17. 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 .

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

19. 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

20. 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 “ A student who fails in his studies may compensate by becoming the college champion in athletics ”

21. 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.

22. Example:- Forgetting: A loved one’s birthday after a fight . Repression is caused due to forces active within ourselves . We try to forget what makes us feel inferior , ashamed , guilty & anxious .

23. 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.

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

25. 12) Projection:- ⦿ Unconsciously (or consciously) blaming someone else for one’s difficulties . ⦿ 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 .

26. Example:- 1. S pouse cheats on wife and says that she is also a cheater. 2. A surgeon whose patient does not respond as he anticipated, may tend to blame the theatre nurse who helped that surgeon at the time of operation.

27. 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 .

28. 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 defen s e mechanism. Children should be guarded against too much use of defe ns e mechanism. Because once they start using them it will became a habit with them & later on they will be using it unconsciously .

29. Thank you