Coping Stress Theory of Psychology

mechanism is the way in each individual to maintain and improve his self- concept, especially in the face of stress, utilizes certain types of behavior 155. Pervin and John define that human develop defense mechanism as a way to distort reality and exclude feelings from awareness so that human beings do not feel anxious 86. As quoted by Morris there are nine ways of defense mechanism. They are denial, repression, projection, identification, regression, intellectualization, reaction formation, displacement, and sublimation 502-507. Denial is the refusal to acknowledge a painful or threatening reality. In denial, we block out situation with which we can cope. Huffman states that denial is use to protect oneself from an unpleasant reality by refusing to perceive it Huffman, 451. The other defense mechanism is repression. In repression, we block out unacceptable impulses or thoughts. As quoted by Kalish, repression occurs when an individual is unable to recall or recognize something because of consciousness needs to deny the awareness 155. Projection is the next defense mechanism. As quoted by Kalish, there are two types of projection occurs. First, is denying the thoughts and feelings and attributing them to someone else; and second, is justifying the behavior by claiming that others feel the same way 157. There is other defense mechanism, called identification. Pettijohn states that here, the person tries literally to become another’s personality by copying his behavior in every conditions experienced 425-431. Identification often used as a form of self-defense in situations where a person feels utterly helpless. The next defense mechanism is regression. As quoted by Pervin and John, regression means going back to an earlier and less mature pattern of behavior 86-95. As quoted by Kasschau, when a person is under severe pressure and his other defenses are not working, he may start acting in ways that helped him in the past 274. Kalish states that intellectualization is defense mechanism in which people withdraw from the emotional impact of frustration or anxiety 159. Reaction formation is defense mechanism in which people express with exaggerated intensify ideas and emotion that are the opposite of their own. The other defense mechanism is displacement. Displacement is the redirection of represses motives and emotion from their original object to substitute object. The last defense mechanism is sublimation. As quoted by Pervin and John, sublimation is defense mechanism in which the original expression of the instinct is replaced by a higher cultural goal. In sublimation, the original object of significant is replaced by a higher cultural goal, one further removed from direct expression of the instinct. Theory of coping stress is used to identify how the main characters defend themselves from the absence of love to be survived in their life.

d. Adjustment Mechanism

Adjustment mechanism is a device used to achieve indirect satisfactions of a need in order that tension may be reduced and self-respect maintained. Carroll defines that there are nine kinds of adjustment mechanism. They are compensation, substitution, identification, egocentric, rationalization, negativism, day-dreaming, regression and repression 214-234. Theory of adjustment mechanism is beneficial to identify how the main characters adjust themselves from suffering because of the absence of love. Compensation is usually defined as the exaggeration of a desirable trait to reduce a feeling of inferiority caused by undesirable trait. Some psychologists have used the term to describe the extra effort put forth by an individual to achieve a long line where he is most defective. Another form of compensatory behavior is seen in the domineering person whose belligerence is merely a device for covering up an attitude of inferiority. Substitution is adjustment mechanism in which frequently an individual who has become convinced of his inferiority in one kind of activity will give up trying to succeed along that line and concentrate on another activity. If such a substitution is made on a trial-and-error basis, the individual may find that he has merely changed his emphasis from one weakness to another. Identification is a mechanism of adjustment by which the individual establishes a strong emotional with another person, a group of persons, or an institution, and then achieves his satisfactions at least in part, by proxy, basking in reflected glory. The next adjustment mechanism is egocentric. The individual who is egocentric dwells on himself and interprets every situation from a personal angle. Although a certain amount of egocentricity is necessary for survival, if carried to extremes it can lead to serious behavior disorders, notably hysteria and paranoia. It is not necessary to think of egocentrism as being caused, solely by