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Defense mechamisms are ways that we protect ourselves. Maybe your defense mechanism is to go silent when you feel threatened. Someone else's could be to attack when threatened. They are defending our egos, our emotions... sometimes our memories or self-esteem. Anything that we feel is threatening us Psychologically. Sometimes we defend against things that can't or won't hurt us, just because we worry that they might. That is why some people can't sustain a relationship... they dump anyone who gets too close to them. That's an overdeveloped protective response. Usually it is based in the fear of rejection: this person can hurt me, and I don't want to be hurt, so in order to avoid rejection, I am going to reject. There are many, many different defense mechanisms, but that is one example.

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16y ago
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2w ago

Psychological defense mechanisms are unconscious tactics people use to protect themselves from feelings of anxiety or distress. They defend against threatening thoughts, emotions, or impulses that may be too difficult to cope with consciously.

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Q: What are psychological defense mechanisms and what are they defending?
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What did Freud think about whether defense mechanisms are good or bad?

Freud believed that defense mechanisms serve a purpose in protecting individuals from anxiety and distress by distorting reality. However, he also recognized that the overuse or reliance on these mechanisms could lead to maladaptive coping strategies and hinder psychological growth. Ultimately, Freud viewed defense mechanisms as a necessary part of the psyche that must be understood and managed effectively.


Defense mechanism how do defense mechanisms serve to protect the individual from anxiety?

Defense mechanisms are unconscious strategies used to reduce anxiety by distorting reality, denying or minimizing uncomfortable feelings, or diverting them into more acceptable outlets. By unconsciously protecting the individual from anxiety-provoking thoughts or emotions, defense mechanisms help maintain psychological stability and reduce distress.


What is the purpose of a defense mechanism from the psychodynamic perspective?

Defense mechanisms are unconscious strategies used by the ego to manage internal conflicts and reduce anxiety. According to the psychodynamic perspective, defense mechanisms protect the individual from experiencing distressing thoughts or feelings by distorting reality or shifting unacceptable impulses from the conscious mind to the unconscious. In this way, defense mechanisms help the individual maintain psychological equilibrium and cope with inner conflicts.


What is defense mechanisms in consumer behavior?

Defense mechanisms in consumer behavior refer to psychological strategies that individuals use to protect themselves from anxiety or distress when making purchasing decisions. Examples include denial (ignoring negative information about a product) and rationalization (justifying a purchase with false reasoning). These mechanisms can influence consumer preferences, perceptions, and decision-making processes.


What is the purpose of defense mechanisms?

Defense mechanisms are psychological strategies that individuals use to cope with stressful situations and protect themselves from anxiety or discomfort. They help individuals manage internal conflicts, reduce feelings of guilt or shame, and maintain a sense of security. Defense mechanisms can be either adaptive or maladaptive, depending on how effectively they address the underlying emotions and stressors.

Related questions

What did Freud think about whether defense mechanisms are good or bad?

Freud believed that defense mechanisms serve a purpose in protecting individuals from anxiety and distress by distorting reality. However, he also recognized that the overuse or reliance on these mechanisms could lead to maladaptive coping strategies and hinder psychological growth. Ultimately, Freud viewed defense mechanisms as a necessary part of the psyche that must be understood and managed effectively.


Defense mechanism how do defense mechanisms serve to protect the individual from anxiety?

Defense mechanisms are unconscious strategies used to reduce anxiety by distorting reality, denying or minimizing uncomfortable feelings, or diverting them into more acceptable outlets. By unconsciously protecting the individual from anxiety-provoking thoughts or emotions, defense mechanisms help maintain psychological stability and reduce distress.


What is the purpose of a defense mechanism from the psychodynamic perspective?

Defense mechanisms are unconscious strategies used by the ego to manage internal conflicts and reduce anxiety. According to the psychodynamic perspective, defense mechanisms protect the individual from experiencing distressing thoughts or feelings by distorting reality or shifting unacceptable impulses from the conscious mind to the unconscious. In this way, defense mechanisms help the individual maintain psychological equilibrium and cope with inner conflicts.


Why must your bodies have defense mechanisms?

Those defense mechanisms are designed to protect you from diseases and infections.


What is a defense mechanism in personality development?

In order for the ego to deal with pain, it can develop certain mechanisms in order to make it more manageable. A defense mechanism reduces or attempts to reduce psychological pain.


What is defense mechanisms in consumer behavior?

Defense mechanisms in consumer behavior refer to psychological strategies that individuals use to protect themselves from anxiety or distress when making purchasing decisions. Examples include denial (ignoring negative information about a product) and rationalization (justifying a purchase with false reasoning). These mechanisms can influence consumer preferences, perceptions, and decision-making processes.


What are the ligers defense mechanisms?

the ligers are a cross between a lion and a tiger their defense mechanisms are their teeth and their claws


Why should you avoid using defense mechanisms too frequently?

Defense mechanisms are part of the unconscious. Therefore one cannot really control what mechanisms he/she uses.


What are the starfish's defense mechanisms?

Pooping on you


What is the role of the defense in a court?

the role of the defense is the person who is defending the victim


Are non specific defence mechanisms more effective than specific defense mechanisms if so why?

Non specific defense mechanisms are more effective because they work against all bacteria and viruses. Examples are skin or tears. Specific defense mechanisms like antibodies work against one type of bacteria or virus. They're needed if a pathogen gets past the nonspecific defense mechanisms.


What is the purpose of defense mechanisms?

Defense mechanisms are psychological strategies that individuals use to cope with stressful situations and protect themselves from anxiety or discomfort. They help individuals manage internal conflicts, reduce feelings of guilt or shame, and maintain a sense of security. Defense mechanisms can be either adaptive or maladaptive, depending on how effectively they address the underlying emotions and stressors.