Defence Mechanisms

Defence mechanisms are unconscious strategies where people protect themselves from anxious thoughts or feelings.

Defence mechanisms aren’t inherently bad—they can allow people to navigate painful experiences or channel their energy more productively. They become problematic, however, when applied too frequently or for too long.

Anna Freud, the youngest daughter of Sigmund Freud and an Austrian psychoanalyst, made significant contributions to child psychoanalysis. She is well-known for her work on child development, defense mechanisms, and the understanding of the ego. She offered essential resources for treating children with emotional and psychological challenges. Her pioneering insights have had a profound and lasting impact on child psychology and psychotherapy, significantly shaping the field.

Sigmund Freud and his daughter Anna. Freud’s framework has proven nearly impossible to validate empirically, and his methods are no longer widely used in therapy. Still, his theories spurred the growth of psychology, and some of his ideas—like defence mechanisms—still stand today. Identifying when a patient employs a defence mechanism, such as projection, for instance, can be a helpful catalyst in the therapeutic process.

Schools of therapy other than Freud's psychoanalytic approach, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy, observe similar tendencies and behaviours but attribute them to irrational beliefs rather than to the unconscious. The overarching idea that people act out inner conflicts in specific ways is widely accepted.

10 Major Defense Mechanisms

Projection: Attributing one’s unacceptable feelings or desires to someone else. For example, if a bully constantly ridicules a peer about insecurities, the bully might be projecting his struggle with self-esteem onto the other person.

Denial: Refusing to recognise or acknowledge real facts or experiences that would lead to anxiety. For instance, someone with substance use disorder might not be able to clearly see their problem.

Repression: Blocking difficult thoughts from entering consciousness, such as a trauma survivor shutting out a tragic experience.

Regression: Reverting to the behaviour or emotions of an earlier developmental stage.

Rationalisation: Justifying a mistake or problematic feeling with seemingly logical reasons or explanations.

Displacement: Redirecting an emotional reaction from the rightful recipient to another person altogether. For example, if a manager screams at an employee, the employee doesn't scream back—but the employee may yell at her partner later that night.

Reaction Formation: Behaving or expressing the opposite of one’s true feelings. For instance, a man who feels insecure about his masculinity might act overly aggressively.

Sublimation: Channelling sexual or unacceptable urges into a productive outlet, such as work or a hobby.

Intellectualisation: Focusing on the intellectual rather than emotional consequences of a situation. For example, if a roommate unexpectedly moved out, the other person might conduct a detailed financial analysis rather than discussing their hurt feelings.

Compartmentalisation: Separating components of one’s life into different categories to prevent conflicting emotions.

Theories of Defence Mechanisms

Defence mechanisms are rooted in Freud’s theory of personality. According to his model, the mind has three duelling forces: the id (unconscious and primitive urges for food, comfort, and sex), the superego (a partly conscious drive toward moral and social values), and the ego (a partly conscious force that moderates the id and superego).

Anxiety, in this paradigm, emerges when the needs of the id clash with the needs of the superego. To mitigate the tension, the ego deploys strategies of self-deception to avoid discomfort. The unacceptable thought or emotion may be denied, for example, or rationalised or projected onto someone else.

Many of Freud’s ideas have not stood up to modern scientific scrutiny. But psychological defences have proven to be an enduring concept, one that researchers and clinicians continue to explore today.

In a testament to the intuitive appeal and potential utility of the idea of psychological defences, multiple post-Freudian theorists and researchers independently converged on the same concept. Alfred Adler developed a similar idea of “safeguarding strategies,” while Karen Horney described protective strategies used by children of abusive or neglectful parents. Leon Festinger developed the well-known concept of “cognitive dissonance,” Carl Rogers discussed the process of defence as denial and perceptual distortion, and Albert Bandura conceptualised defences as “self-exoneration mechanisms.”

The influential psychiatrist George Vaillant organised defences on a scale of immature to mature, defining them as “unconscious homeostatic mechanisms that reduce the disorganising effects of sudden stress.” Current discussions of coping mechanisms and emotion regulation embody the idea of defences as well.

Why did defence mechanisms evolve?

Like all living systems, human beings have evolved multiple strategies for defending against threats to our survival and physical integrity. The immune system is one example; the fight-or-flight mechanism embedded in our nervous system is another. Similar defensive mechanisms have likely evolved to protect and promote the integrity of our psychological architecture—our sense of self, identity, and esteem. Are our defence mechanisms unhealthy?

Defence Mechanisms in Everyday Life

Life is full of unexpected or challenging situations, and defence mechanisms can potentially alleviate that discomfort. They can manifest, for example, in passive-aggressive behaviour confront conflict or when an employee displaces anger toward her boss onto her daughter that night at dinner. Defence mechanisms can reflect isolated incidents, both beneficial and maladaptive, or a consistent pattern of behaviour that can be explored with the help of a therapist.

When do individuals develop defence mechanisms?

Defence mechanisms might emerge more severely and consistently in some people due to insecurities in childhood, some psychologists believe. Children may not know how to grapple with or overcome certain challenges, which leads them to question themselves and enact defences against those challenges. Adults can address those challenges, but obsolete defence mechanisms might occasionally reappear to alleviate the stress.

Which defence mechanisms can hurt relationships?

Close relationships often arouse our deepest emotions, and sometimes we turn to various psychological defences to manage those intense feelings. These emotional defences can serve as a shield, protecting us from vulnerability and discomfort. However, relying on such defences can inadvertently lead to increased anxiety and tension, ultimately driving a wedge into the relationship. Because of this, it is incredibly valuable to take a step back and reflect on whether you or your partner may be employing certain defence mechanisms in your interactions. Understanding these patterns can pave the way for healthier communication and deeper emotional connections. Some common defence mechanisms include:

• Projection: This occurs when individuals attribute their own undesirable traits or feelings to someone else. For instance, do you find yourself blaming your partner for your own flaws? Instead of acknowledging that you may be the one who is messy or careless, do you accuse your partner of those very things? This projection not only distorts reality but can also create an environment of blame and resentment, making it difficult for both partners to address their individual issues. Recognising this pattern is the first step towards fostering accountability and empathy within the relationship.

• Denial: Denial is a defence mechanism where individuals refuse to accept reality or facts, particularly when they are uncomfortable or painful. Do you ever find yourself pretending that negative experiences haven’t occurred? Perhaps you close your eyes and convince yourself that everything is going to be fine, even when your partner seems visibly upset or distressed. This refusal to acknowledge problems can lead to unresolved issues festering beneath the surface, creating a disconnect between partners. Facing these uncomfortable truths, couples can work together to address their feelings and strengthen their bond.

Recognising these defence mechanisms is crucial for the health of any close relationship. By bringing awareness to how projection and denial may manifest in your interactions, you can begin to dismantle these barriers. Open and honest communication is essential; discussing these dynamics with your partner can lead to greater understanding and intimacy. It may also be beneficial to seek guidance from a therapist, who can provide tools and strategies to navigate these complex emotional landscapes. In doing so, you not only enhance your relationship but also foster personal growth and emotional resilience.