Defence Mechanisms - University Exam Notes (10 Marks)
Defence Mechanisms - University Exam Notes (10 Marks)
Introduction:
Defence mechanisms are automatic psychological strategies used by people to protect themselves from
anxiety, emotional pain, or stress. These happen without the person being aware and help to manage difficult
thoughts, feelings, or experiences.
Definition:
Defence mechanisms are unconscious mental processes that help reduce anxiety by distorting reality in
some way.
Types of Defence Mechanisms:
1. Successful Defence Mechanisms:
These mechanisms are considered healthy and can help individuals deal with reality effectively.
a. Repression:
Unknowingly pushing painful memories into the unconscious mind.
Example: A child who was abused forgets those memories in adulthood.
b. Rationalization:
Giving false but logical reasons to cover up real reasons for behavior.
Example: A student says, "I failed because the exam was too hard," not because they didn't study.
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Defence Mechanisms - University Exam Notes (10 Marks)
c. Intellectualization:
Focusing on facts and logic to avoid emotional stress.
Example: A patient talks only about disease statistics instead of expressing fear.
d. Compensation:
Making up for weakness by excelling in other areas.
Example: A short boy becomes a great singer to feel confident.
e. Substitution:
Replacing an unreachable goal with a more realistic one.
Example: A boy who cannot become a cricketer becomes a cricket coach.
f. Sublimation:
Converting negative emotions into socially acceptable actions.
Example: A person with anger becomes a professional boxer.
g. Identification:
Copying the behavior of someone admired.
Example: A child copies their favorite teacher's speaking style.
2. Unsuccessful Defence Mechanisms:
These mechanisms may cause more harm than help and prevent a person from facing reality.
a. Suppression:
Consciously trying to forget a painful thought.
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Defence Mechanisms - University Exam Notes (10 Marks)
Example: Ignoring the thought of a failed exam.
b. Reaction Formation:
Showing the opposite behavior of what one actually feels.
Example: A person who dislikes someone acts overly friendly to them.
c. Displacement:
Shifting feelings from one person to another safer target.
Example: Angry at boss, but shouts at a friend instead.
d. Denial:
Refusing to accept reality.
Example: A smoker denies that smoking harms health.
e. Isolation:
Separating emotion from thoughts or events.
Example: Talking calmly about a painful event without feeling.
f. Projection:
Blaming others for one's own thoughts or feelings.
Example: A jealous person says others are jealous of them.
g. Regression:
Behaving like a child during stress.
Example: An adult cries like a baby when upset.
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Defence Mechanisms - University Exam Notes (10 Marks)
h. Conversion:
Changing emotional stress into physical symptoms.
Example: A student gets a headache before an exam.
i. Fixation:
Getting stuck in one stage of emotional development.
Example: An adult always needs approval like a child.
j. Withdrawal:
Avoiding people or situations that cause stress.
Example: A student stops going to school after failure.
k. Fantasy:
Escaping reality by living in imagination.
Example: A lonely person imagines being a film star.
Conclusion:
Defence mechanisms are part of every human's mental process. Some are helpful (successful) and allow a
person to handle stress in a healthy way, while others (unsuccessful) may avoid reality and cause more
problems. Understanding them helps in self-awareness and better mental health.
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