Thursday, November 4, 2010
Defense Mechanisms
Defense mechanisms are used commonly in our everyday life in order to protect ourselves from unpleasant emotions. Today, during class we discussed the different types of defense mechanisms that are commonly used. Most of us have used all of the types at one point or another. However, I began to think about which mechanism I most commonly use. I realized that I often tend to use projection. At home when my mother would get mad at me, I would in turn get mad at my step-sister or a friend without significant reason. Pertaining to living here, I tend to get very stressed out at certain points of time with all of my school work and my job and everyday activities. Therefore, someone will catch me at the wrong time and I might accidentally take that stress, anger, or confusion out on them without realizing it at the time. However, I try to keep my emotions in line and try not to take something out on someone who was not at fault.
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I was actually thinking about this after class too. I tend to use projection also. If I had a rough day at school, I would always come home angry and then take it out on my sister. My sister on the other hand uses repression as a defense mechanism, the polar opposite of projection. Needless to say, our personalities clash a little.
ReplyDeleteI agree with both of you, and would have to say that I also use projection. Even though I feel it is better than say repression, it stinks because it can sometimes make those around me tense and make them think I am mad at them when really I am thinking about other things and they just happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
ReplyDeleteI too am often guilty of using projection, but I actually think it's more normal for most people to use this defense mechanism than we think it is. Another mechanism that I often catch myself using is reaction formation. I think that this mechanism is even more destructive than projection because by hiding your true feelings and trying to act opposite of how you're really feeling could possibly lead to some form of repression which can be really damaging.
ReplyDeleteDefense Mechanisms
ReplyDelete(I can't create new discussions for some reason, so I have to leave it in a comment).
Defense mechanisms are very prevalent in everyday situations, most notable when people are angry or upset. Repression, to begin, is keeping distressing thoughts and feelings in the unconscious. In a minor example, repression could be at play when you forget a doctor's appointment because you fear the doctor. However, in a more major and serous example, repression may also be at play when people are involved in violent acts such as being a victim of rape. At times people essentially bury these memories in their unconscious and "forget" because they seek to get rid of the horror and anxiety that overcomes them when they remember the event. Secondly is projection, a very common defense mechanism. Projection is essentially when person "projects" or attributes their thoughts or feelings onto others. For example, if you strongly dislike someone, you may say that the reason you dislike them is because they dislike you though they may have never expressed this sentiment. Another common defense mechanism, I feel, is reaction formation. For example, when people strongly dislike someone, they may act to their face like they are best friends with them. They may be nice and friendly to that person while inwardly disliking them. Another common defense mechanism is displacement, which is probably the most common defense mechanism. Poeple don't often realize they are doing it, but nearly everyone does. For example, when people get into a fight with someone or have a problem at work, they most likely will take it out on another person. Most times, in the case of bosses, when a boss is unfair or mean, people typically tend to come home with anger taking it out on those around them rather than their boss. This is a prime example of displacement. Finally, rationalization is the fourth most common defense mechanism that I note in everyday life because it is creating fake but plausible excuses to justify unacceptable behavior. For example, when people really want to watch tv or play games rather than doing homework or studying they may say that doing more studying or homework will do nothing for them. Likewise, is someone was trying to ask out another person and were rejected, they may say that they "never really liked that person anyway." As a result, defense mechanisms are a very common way that people deal with unpleasant situations or merely escaping the truth.
-Desiree' Williford