how does defence mechanisms of Freud's theory enhance one's personality?

-- Shafiya Adam (shafiyadam@hotmail.com), March 09, 2005

Answers

Hi Shafiya, I am not a clinical psychologist, but I will try to get you started on a very interesting and practical question. I think Freud was concerned (maybe overly concerned)about the distortion of perception and avoidance of problem solving that typically is associated with the use (or overuse) of defense mechanisms. Freud seemed to usually want people to be realistic and face their problems. The only defense mechanism he was very sympathetic about was sublimation, since he believed that it indirectly helped develop civilization through activities that eventually lead to the development of the sciences and arts. Today in clinical psychology there is quite a bit of attention to a concept somewhat similar to defense mechanisms, called coping mechanisms. However, some coping mechanisms are particularly oriented toward problem solving, while others like Freud's defense mechanisms work mainly by avoiding stressful situations or blunting the negative emotions associated with the situation. For example, some of Freud's defense mechanisms were denial, repression, rationalization, and sublimation). You may want to examine a comprehensive list of defense mechanisms by Sigmund Freud, Anna Freud, and others. Then compare it to a list of contemporary coping strategies. Today, some psychologists think that Freud may have been too critical of the role of defense mechanisms. There may be stressful times when denial, distortion, distraction, and avoidance may be quite beneficial (e.g., soon after a terrible accident or possibly just after a tough day at the office). At some point, however, most people should get back to mainly engaging in constructive realistic coping (i.e., problem solving). That, of course, does no mean you can not benefit by spending part of every day engaging in a modest amount avoidance-type coping/defense mechanisms (e.g., unrealistic day dreaming, a highly distracting hobby, or fooling yourself with in a little twisting of facts). It also does not mean some people can not benefit from a few "blind spots" in their social perception. Also consciously or unconsciously avoiding certain situations or certain people can sometimes be beneficial for all involved. Just as one size shoe does not fit everyone, so the amount of beneficial use of defense mechanisms may different with different people or at different times of their lives. How much and when do you think people should use defense mechanisms? In a related issue, Freud emphasized that most of the mental work of defense mechanisms was unconscious. Today, psychologists are still trying to determine how much of human cognition is clearly conscious, clearly unconscious, or something inbetween. To what degree do you think avoidance-type coping or defense mechanisms are unconscious? I hope this gets you started. Paul

-- Paul Kleinginna (prk@frontiernet.net), March 09, 2005.