Psychological Defensiveness

PSYCHOLOGICAL DEFENSIVENESS

Unconscious and Irrational Defensiveness

defensiveness is something we all should try to reduce ( defensiveness is the unconscious effort to protect the self from anxiety, either through diversionary and intimidation tactics or by distortions of reality)
being around defensive people can lead to one-sided conversations or emotionally draining situations
Sigmund Freud ( founder of psychoanalysis) said that not all psychological experience is at a conscious level. Some psychological experience is at a preconscious level (what we call up at will)and others are buried deeper at an unconscious level (thoughts currently unavailable to self-awareness)
in response to fears and anxiety provoking situations we may use defence mechanisms to cope
an overreliance on defence mechanisms can lead to distortions of reality leading to anxieties that dictate actions

Psychological Defence Mechanisms

Defence mechanisms operate on an unconscious level they include repression, rationalization, projection, reaction formation, displacement, identification, regression, fantasy formation, intellectualization/isolation, denial and sublimation
defensive people are often unaware of their defensiveness; they seek to protect themselves from threats by falsifying the nature of the threat
However, we all use defence mechanisms-the danger is their over use

REPRESSION

The primary ego defence that makes all other psychological defensiveness possible. It prevents anxiety-provoking thoughts from entering consciousness.

Repression helps us cope with everyday problems.It can act in response to conflict and pain of one's past.

However, repressed memories do not disappear. Repression can drain creative energy, create a stiffness of character and may lead to more serious psychological problems.

RATIONALIZATION

The ego uses reason to cope with anxiety by explaining them away through "reasonable" but dishonest explanation or justification. It provides ethical-sounding rationales for less commendable motivating forces. (Sour grapes-We didn't get the grapes-they were probably sour)

The result is impaired judgement.

PROJECTION

The unconscious act of attributing to others one's own feelings, thoughts and intentions. One's own personality is displaced upon people, objects or animals. Someone else is blamed.

Can lead to distortion of reality, paranoia, aggression. People who feel inferior can project inferiority on selected racial, ethnic, or social groups.

REACTION FORMATION

Used by the ego to control expression of forbidden impulses in two ways: Unacceptable impulses are repressed on a conscious level ( one becomes crusader against the forbidden urge). There may be compulsiveness or exaggeration. It builds an all or nothing attitude.

DISPLACEMENT

When things that would directly satisfy the id are not available or if they include unpleasantness, we may shift out emphasis. It can result in intense longing, fantasies. Displacement occurs when an instinctual impulse is redirected from a more threatening activity, person or object to a less threatening one. ( e.g. Angry at a person you can't yell at, yell at little brother)

The innocent becomes the victim.

IDENTIFICATION

Taking on the characteristics of someone admired or considered successful. (Hero-worship)Unconsciously trying to bolster self-worth by identifying and protecting self .

Overuse of identification can lead to problems with personal identity--feeling inauthentic,separation from others.

REGRESSION

Reverting to an earlier child-like stage of development- an more secure period. May act fatigued or ill, throw tantrum.

FANTASY FORMATION

Gratifying frustrated desires by thinking about imaginary achievements and satisfactions--becoming what we are not.

Can transport person away from real problem. Person may be difficult to communicate with.

INTELLECTUALIZATION/ ISOLATION

Suppressing unpleasant emotions by engaging in detached analyses of threatening problems. Anxiety is isolated, separate from the psyche. Events can be recounted with no feeling-becoming a third party.

People can become out of touch with feelings. Intimacy may suffer and create distance.

DENIAL

Blocking the ego threatening events or facts by refusing to believe them. It may enable person to live through difficult time.

Overreliance can lead to self destructiveness. ( e.g. alcoholic who denies being an alcoholic)

SUBLIMATION

The defensive strategy used by ego to divert instinctual impulses into something advantageous. A lifelong defence against our broader realization that we can't satisfy our urges to get what we want. ( e.g. make art, write, act)

Could lead to losing sight of our instincts and urges-self-deception.

FALLACIES AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DEFENSIVENESS

When a person has an ego investment in a point of view or personal feelings, improper reasoning (fallacies) may be used as a rescue
Fallacies are used to persuade emotionally or psychologically, not rationally
Fallacies can be used as intimidation, diversion or as an attack

FALLACY	MEANING/EXAMPLE
AD HOMINEM	attacking opponent personally; belittle opponent
STRAW MAN	misrepresenting what other says to make idea seem unacceptable
CIRCULAR REASONING	using the premise of argument to prove the argument-assuming truth of what is intended to be proved
TWO-WRONGS	defending a particular wrongdoing by looking for a wrong doing previously overlooked. (e.g. I cut him off because he cut me off)
SLIPPERY SLOPE	objecting to something because of a wrong assumption that the thing will lead to other undesirable consequences. (Objecting to marijuana on the grounds it will lead to addiction to other drugs and a life of crime)
APPEALING TO AUTHORITY	Appeals to majority, traditional wisdom, or authorities that disagree are problematic.
GUILT BY ASSOCIATION	The guilt of the discredited individual is transferred to the opponent.
RED HERRING	A controversial claim defended by taking the offensive. The defence involves setting up a new issue that is more supportable. Attention is deflected. (e.g. "That political party is corrupt" . "This is the first time we have had a balanced budget for years.")

Source: Mastering Human Relations 3rd Edition, A Falikowski, 2002. Pearson Education