Ego Defence Mechanisms
Ego Defence Mechanisms
Ego defence mechanisms is a theory developed by Sigmund Freud, then later expanded upon by his daughter Anna Freud. Defence mechanisms are ultimately unconscious resources used by the ego which act to decrease internal stress. Primarily wielded towards hiding insecurities, they act as tools within oneself to counteract events or conversations found to be distressing or uncomfortable and are used mostly without the person being aware of its use. Although they are defence mechanisms, it should be known that they are designed to defend the ego (the image one wishes to project of themself). When defending the ego, or the false self, sometimes the mechanism although designed for protection, cause more harm than good.
Projection
Attributing one’s own maladaptive behaviours onto someone else. It is doing something sketchy or wrong, then taking away blame from oneself by projecting someone else in the same light or as capable of indulging in the same action. A partner commits infidelity, then begins to accuse their partner of infidelity, or may become more suspicious or distrusting. As a result this takes blame away from oneself, somewhat excusing ones own misdeed by placing it on another.
Reaction Formation
Reaction formation is expressing the opposite to how you feel in a situation. If you don’t like someone at a party but choose to be kind to them when face to face this is an example of reaction formation. It is reformulating from your mind to reality so that the interaction may remain civil. Reaction formation may be found in people who tease someone whom they like, or someone overly kind to a person they hate.
Sublimination
Diverting psychic energies through more acceptable channels such as sport. Say someone gets vastly angry, instead of taking it out on everyone around them, they choose to bash the hell out of their boxing bag. This is sublimination. Channelling emotions into more socially accepted measures. When you are sad, you write. Angry, play sport. Anything which diverts negative energy into a positive outlet.
Introjection
Internalizing the values or beliefs of someone else. Common occurrence is to internalize the beliefs of authority figures such as parents, teachers or therapists. Concept of right and wrong, political stances, ideas and philosophies can all be apprehended in another person’s speech, then internalised to the point that belief becomes inseparable from oneself. If thoroughly discussed and thought about this can be of use, but if just internalised without rational thought these beliefs can cause detrimental impact towards forming bias parties within society.
Compensation
Compensation is the focus on the strengths one has in life to divert attention away from inadequacy or fear of inadequacy in another area of life. This could be knuckling down on gym because your grades aren’t looking too splendid at school, masking a perceived weakness by making up for limitations in another area. Focusing on accomplishments rather than weakness.
Repression
Unconsciously refuting or blocking undesirable impulses, ideas or events from ones awareness or mind. Seen heavily in people who have experienced trauma then have no recollection of it, as they have blocked it from their state of mind to prevent experiencing it in thought once again. Excludes information or events from awareness subconsciously so it is not thought about or experienced again.
Denial
Dismissing or distorting reality through the use of internal explanations or fallacies. Denial acts as a means to avoid the uncomfortable reality of someone’s situation or circumstances. They may lie to themselves to protect the ego and their mental peace, though this may very well work to avoid not resolve the current conditions. Could be experienced by someone who continues to use and regard drugs as good even after continuous downward spirals.
Regression
Reverting back to an earlier state in life. Regression means divulging into a prior state of being or awareness, like reverting back to a child like manner to face a distressing event. This could involve bed-wetting after a traumatic experience, or becoming sad and cute and baby like to gain sympathy from a partner you may be having an argument with.
Rationalisation
Attempting to justify behaviour through an effort to produce a rational explanation. Someone could be doing something harmful to themselves or others, then come up with an excuse as to why it is okay so that they can justify their own misdeeds. A prime example would be killing someone in war then rationalising to yourself and others that you had no other choice.
Identification
Identification is loss of personal identity and conforming to the identity of others. All values and beliefs have been copied in an attempt to better oneself in society. Someone who is struggling with their own identification may copy behaviours of the most prestigious friends in their friend group to make a standing for themselves.
Displacement
Shifting emotional outlets towards safer or easier target. Misplacing upset feelings away from what caused it and onto someone else to reciprocate. A stressful week of studying may be taken out on a partner or friend as a means to displace the cause of the emotion on someone else.
